PastVirtual

Navigating Legal Gray Zones: Managing Mental Health and Behavior-Based Safety Risks

Name: Navigating Legal Gray Zones: Managing Mental Health and Behavior-Based Safety Risks
Start: 2025-07-18
End: 2025-07-18

by ASAH

The New Jersey Association of Special Education Partner Schools (NJASEPS) is hosting a webinar titled "Navigating Legal Gray Zones: Managing Mental Health and Behavior-Based Safety Risks" on Friday, July 18, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. This session aims to address the challenges schools face when students return from psychiatric hospitalization with needs that exceed the school's capacity, and legal options appear limited.

Key topics include understanding what qualifies as an "imminent threat," reasonable steps for protecting students and staff, documenting and escalating when the Child Study Team or parents don't respond, and communicating legally and effectively without overstepping. Attorneys from Porzio, Bromberg & Newman will provide best practices, possible policy language, and reasonable response protocols.

The webinar features speakers Vito A. Gagliardi, Jr., Managing Principal; Kerri A. Wright, Principal; and Janelle Edwards-Stewart, Principal, all from Porzio, Bromberg & Newman. A recording will be available for NJASEPS members unable to attend live.

This event is particularly beneficial for school administrators, special education professionals, and legal counsel seeking guidance on managing complex mental health and safety issues within educational settings.

Speakers(3)

Janelle Edwards-Stewart

Principal at Porzio, Bromberg & Newman, P.C.

Janelle Edwards-Stewart is a member of the Education, Employment and Labor Team at Porzio, Bromberg & Newman, P.C., advising public and private entities across the education, healthcare, and insurance sectors on a broad range of employment and education law matters.

Patricia C. Morgan

Of Counsel at Porzio, Bromberg & Newman, P.C.

Patricia Morgan is Of Counsel at Porzio, Bromberg & Newman and a member of the firm’s Education Team, bringing over a decade of education policy and legal experience, including serving as Assistant Commissioner at the New Jersey Department of Education and Assistant Counsel in the Governor’s Office.

Vito A. Gagliardi, Jr.

Managing Principal at Porzio, Bromberg & Newman, P.C.

Vito A. Gagliardi, Jr. is the Managing Principal of Porzio, Bromberg & Newman, P.C., and the President and CEO of Porzio Compliance Services and Porzio Governmental Affairs. He co-chairs the firm's Litigation Practice Group and its Education and Employment Team, and is a distinguished fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers.

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