WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS VIDEO

- What the Family and Medical Leave Act covers and who qualifies
- Eligibility rules: hours worked, employer size, and location
- Job protection, intermittent leave, and paid vs. unpaid rules
- How FMLA affects schools, children, and working families
- Key court trends shaping FMLA enforcement and litigation
- How state laws and proposed federal changes are expanding rights

The Family and Medical Leave Act entitles eligible employees to up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave per year for qualifying family and medical reasons, with group health insurance maintained throughout. 

To qualify, you must have worked for your employer at least 12 months, logged 1,250 hours in the past year, and work where the employer has 50 or more employees within 75 miles. 

Covered reasons include a newborn, adoption, foster placement, a serious health condition of the employee or close family member, and military caregiver leave up to 26 weeks. 

Courts are increasingly applying stricter causation standards in retaliation cases, and post-return litigation is rising. States including California, Colorado, and New Jersey now offer broader definitions and paid benefits, and the proposed FAMILY Act could transform FMLA nationally. Advocates continue pushing to lower employer thresholds and expand who counts as "family."

Learn more about FMLA Family and Medical Leave Act by visiting:
https://kidlaw.org/2026/02/23/fmla-family-and-medical-leave-act/

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS VIDEO

- Why the Supreme Court's Endrew F. ruling was a landmark shift
- What "appropriately ambitious" IEP goals actually means
- How trivial or de minimis progress was rejected as a standard
- Why individualized programming is now a legal requirement
- How courts now scrutinize IEP decisions more deeply
- What the ruling means for school districts and advocacy

In 2017, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled in Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District that every IEP must be "reasonably calculated to enable a child to make progress appropriate in light of the child's circumstances." 

The case involved a student with autism whose parents pulled him from public school, arguing his IEP produced no meaningful growth. The Court rejected the prior de minimis standard as legally insufficient and called the new benchmark "markedly more demanding." 

Districts must now document cogent, evidence-based reasoning for every IEP decision. Goals must be ambitious, behavioral needs must be addressed, and stagnant programming is legally vulnerable. 

The ruling reshaped FAPE under IDEA, and the $1.3 million Endrew settlement underscored the stakes.

Learn more about Endrew F. v. Douglas County School District by visiting:
https://kidlaw.org/2026/02/23/endrew-f-v-douglas-county-school-distric/

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS VIDEO

- The landmark 1981 case that set federal standards for English Learners
- How the Three-Part Test determines if EL programs are legally compliant
- Why schools must now prove their programs actually work
- How this ruling protects students from discriminatory ability grouping
- What Castaneda means for school administrators and resource allocation
- How advocacy groups use this ruling to fight for students today

Castaneda v. Pickard, decided by the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, established that school districts must provide effective, research-based programs for English Learners under the Equal Educational Opportunities Act of 1974. 

The case arose when Mexican-American parents in Raymondville, Texas challenged their district's bilingual programs as inadequate. The court's Three-Part Test requires programs to be grounded in sound educational theory, properly implemented with qualified staff and resources, and proven effective over time, or changed. 

The ruling elevated inadequate language support from a policy failure to a potential civil rights violation, and its standard remains the primary federal benchmark for EL program compliance more than four decades later.

Learn more about Castaneda v. Pickard by visiting:
https://kidlaw.org/2026/03/12/castaneda-v-pickard/

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS VIDEO

- What Carson v. Makin is and why it matters 
- How Maine's tuition program sparked a constitutional fight
- Why the Free Exercise Clause was central to the ruling
- The "Status vs. Use" distinction the Court rejected
- How this builds on Trinity Lutheran and Espinoza
- What this means for school choice and public funding

Carson v. Makin (2022) is a landmark Supreme Court ruling that reshaped the relationship between public school funding and religious institutions. In a 6-3 decision, the Court struck down Maine's requirement that tuition-assistance funds could only go to "nonsectarian" private schools. 

The key principle: a state doesn't have to fund private education, but if it does, it cannot exclude religious schools simply because they are religious. This ruling effectively dismantled Blaine Amendments in dozens of states, expanded school choice options for families, especially in rural areas, and opened new legal questions around discrimination, charter schools, and whether neutrality may eventually require states to fund religious education.

Learn more about Carson v. Makin (2022) by visiting:
https://kidlaw.org/2026/03/26/carson-v-makin-2022/

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS VIDEO

- What the Burlington v. DOE 1985 Supreme Court case decided
- How parents can win tuition reimbursement for private school
- Why unilateral private placement carries financial risk for parents
- How the "stay-put" provision protects students during disputes
- What Burlington means for IEP quality and school accountability
- How Burlington shaped decades of special education law under IDEA

In 1985, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled in School Committee of Burlington v. Department of Education of Massachusetts that parents have the right to be reimbursed for private school tuition when a public school fails to provide a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). 

The Court held that courts may order districts to pay for private placements if the public IEP is found inappropriate. 

This landmark ruling shifted accountability to school districts, strengthened parental rights in the IEP process, expanded equitable remedies under the Education of the Handicapped Act (now IDEA), and launched the Burlington-Carter doctrine that continues to shape special education litigation today.

Learn more about Burlington v. Department of Education of Massachusetts 1985 by visiting:
https://kidlaw.org/2026/03/26/burlington-v-department-of-education-of-massachusetts-1985/

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS VIDEO

- What Alexander v. Sandoval (2001) decided and why it matters
- Why Martha Sandoval sued Alabama over its English-only driver's exam
- How the Court eliminated private disparate-impact lawsuits under Title VI
- What the ruling means for minority, immigrant, and disabled students
- How schools and administrators were affected by the decision
- What advocacy groups and Congress are doing to restore lost rights

Alexander v. Sandoval is a landmark 2001 Supreme Court case that dramatically narrowed civil rights enforcement. 

In a 5-4 ruling, Justice Scalia held that private individuals cannot sue to enforce disparate-impact regulations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, victims must now prove intentional discrimination or rely on federal agencies. 

The case arose when Martha Sandoval challenged Alabama's English-only driver's license exam policy. 

The ruling hit children hard, eliminating legal tools used to protect minority, immigrant, and disabled students from unintentionally discriminatory school policies. Advocacy groups have since shifted toward administrative complaints and are pressing Congress to restore private rights of action.

Learn more about Alexander v. Sandoval by visiting:
https://kidlaw.org/2026/03/09/alexander-v-sandoval/

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS VIDEO

- Why the Supreme Court's 9-0 ruling in A.J.T. v. Osseo matters
- What the old "bad faith" standard was and why it was unfair
- What "deliberate indifference" means for students now
- How this ruling affects school districts and IEP/504 plans
- What disability rights advocates are pushing for next
- How this case fits a growing trend of stronger student protections

A.J.T. v. Osseo Area Schools (2025) is a landmark Supreme Court decision that levels the playing field for students with disabilities. The case centered on Ava, a student with severe epilepsy whose school refused to provide evening instruction to accommodate her condition. When her family pursued ADA and Section 504 claims for monetary damages, lower courts dismissed them — demanding proof of "bad faith or gross misjudgment," a standard no other disability discrimination plaintiff faced. 

The Supreme Court unanimously struck that standard down, replacing it with the same "deliberate indifference" test applied in workplaces and public accommodations. Schools can no longer dismiss accommodation requests carelessly without legal risk. Documentation, individualized review, and staff training are now essential. For students and families, the path to justice just got significantly clearer.

Learn more about A.J.T. v. Osseo by visiting:
https://kidlaw.org/2026/03/06/a-j-t-v-osseo/

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS VIDEO

- How WIC connects you to doctors and healthcare providers
- Community services WIC can refer you to, from food to housing
- How WIC helps you enroll in Medicaid and CHIP coverage
- WIC referrals for children's dental care and oral health
- WIC's role in immunization screening and vaccination referrals
- How WIC supports mental health, including postpartum depression

WIC is more than food, it's a gateway to critical health and community support. In this final installment of our six-part WIC Q&A series, we cover Health & Community Referrals, answering your top questions about how WIC connects low-income families to medical providers, insurance programs, food banks, mental health resources, and more. 

We also address additional eligibility questions, including coverage for foster children, grandparent caregivers, breastfeeding women, and how long infants and children can remain enrolled. WIC policies vary by state, so always check with your local office.

Learn more about WIC Q&A by visiting:
https://kidlaw.org/2026/05/20/wic-qa/

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS VIDEO

• How WIC supports and incentivizes breastfeeding mothers
• What breastfeeding counseling and peer support WIC provides
• Whether WIC can help you get a breast pump
• How WIC lactation consultants and peer counselors work
• Why nutrition education is required, and why it's a benefit
• How WIC helps with picky eaters, food allergies & meal planning

WIC's Breastfeeding & Nutrition Education program goes far beyond handing out food packages. Breastfeeding mothers receive enhanced food benefits, access to trained peer counselors, lactation consultants, and breast pumps based on need and availability. 

Nutrition education, delivered in person, by phone, or online, is a required part of WIC participation and covers infant feeding, child nutrition, healthy eating, and budget cooking. WIC nutritionists also help with picky eaters, food allergies, and meal planning. 

This is Part Five of a six-part series answering 100+ common WIC questions

Learn more about WIC Q&A by visiting:
https://kidlaw.org/2026/05/20/wic-qa/

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS VIDEO

- How to use your eWIC card at the grocery store checkout
- What to do if your eWIC card is lost, stolen, or declined
- How to check your WIC food benefit balance anytime
- Which stores accept eWIC and how to find them near you
- Whether you can use coupons alongside your eWIC benefits
- What happens to unused WIC benefits at month's end

Part Four of a six-part WIC Q&A series covers everything about using your eWIC card and shopping for WIC-approved foods. 

The eWIC card is an electronic benefits card that replaced paper vouchers, making shopping more convenient and discreet. 

Learn how to find authorized retailers, identify WIC-approved items using shelf tags or a smartphone app, separate WIC and non-WIC items at checkout, change your PIN, handle declined transactions, and navigate return policies. 

Online WIC shopping options are also expanding, find out if your state qualifies. Because WIC is state-administered, some details vary by location.

Learn more about WIC Q&A by visiting:
https://kidlaw.org/2026/05/20/wic-qa/

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS VIDEO

- What foods and food packages WIC provides to participants
- How WIC food packages are assigned based on your needs
- Which fruits, vegetables, dairy, and proteins are approved
- Rules for buying cereal, bread, beans, eggs, and canned fish
- How infant formula and baby food are handled by WIC
- Whether you can access farmers' market benefits through WIC

WIC's Benefits & Food Packages can feel complicated, packages differ by participant category, state-approved food lists vary by location, and specific rules govern brands, sizes, and substitutions. 

This video answers the most common questions: what foods are covered, how the cash-value benefit works for produce, which milks are approved by age, when soy milk or tofu qualify, how specialized infant formula is handled medically, and how the WIC Farmers' Market Nutrition Program works. 

Whether you're newly enrolled or helping someone navigate WIC, these answers give you the clarity to shop with confidence.

Learn more about WIC Q&A by visiting:
https://kidlaw.org/2026/05/20/wic-qa/

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS VIDEO

• What documents to bring to your first WIC appointment
• How and where to apply for WIC in your state
• What happens during a WIC certification appointment
• Whether your child must be present at the WIC office
• How often you need to recertify for WIC benefits
• What to do if you miss or need to reschedule a WIC visit

This is Part Two of a six-part WIC Q&A series covering the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. This installment focuses on Applications & Appointments, walking you through the step-by-step process of applying, what documents are accepted as proof of identity, residence, and income, and what to expect during your first visit. 

You'll also learn about health screenings for children, recertification schedules, what happens if you move states, and how to find your nearest WIC office. 

Because WIC is administered at the state level, some details vary by location.

Learn more about WIC Q&A by visiting:
https://kidlaw.org/2026/05/20/wic-qa/

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS VIDEO

- Who qualifies for WIC and the four eligibility criteria
- How long pregnant and breastfeeding women can receive benefits
- Whether fathers, grandparents, and foster parents can apply
- How income is calculated and what the 185% FPL limit means
- Whether Medicaid or SNAP enrollment affects WIC eligibility
- How immigration status, assets, and residency factor in

The WIC Special Supplemental Nutrition Program serves pregnant, postpartum, and breastfeeding women, infants, and children under five. 

This video answers the most-asked eligibility questions, from income thresholds and automatic qualification through Medicaid or SNAP, to residency rules, immigration protections, and what "nutritional risk" actually means. 

WIC does not consider assets, employment status, or citizenship. Each eligible child in a multiple birth receives individual benefits. Unborn children count toward household size for income purposes. 

Because WIC is state-administered, always confirm details with your local office.

Learn more about WIC Q&A by visiting:
https://kidlaw.org/2026/05/20/wic-qa/

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS VIDEO

- What legally qualifies as Harassment, Intimidation & Bullying (HIB)
- Strict reporting timelines for staff, principals & administrators
- How investigations are conducted and who oversees them
- Rights and protections for students with IEPs and 504 Plans
- How the 2022 amendments changed cyberbullying enforcement
- Benefits for children and how advocacy groups are closing gaps

New Jersey's Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act (ABR), signed into law in 2011, applies to all public and charter schools covering incidents on school grounds, school buses, school-sponsored events, and qualifying off-campus situations including cyberbullying. 

HIB is defined by three criteria: it must be motivated by a perceived characteristic such as race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or disability; occur in a covered location or cause substantial school disruption; and a reasonable person would know it causes harm or a hostile environment. 

Staff must verbally report incidents to the principal the same day and in writing within two days. The Anti-Bullying Specialist must initiate investigations within one school day and complete them within ten. 

Major 2022 updates added standardized HIB 338 forms, a State Coordinator, and cyber-harassment training provisions for students and parents.

Learn more about NJHIB New Jersey’s Anti-Bullying Bill of Rights Act by visiting:
https://kidlaw.org/2026/03/23/njhib-new-jerseys-anti-bullying-bill-of-rights-act/

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS VIDEO

• How the NJDOE oversees and authorizes all NJ charter schools
• Key 2026 laws banning for-profit operators & virtual schools
• New financial transparency rules for budgets, salaries & contracts
• How random lottery admissions protect equitable student access
• Enhanced Commissioner authority to place schools on probation
• How new athletic regulations prevent "super team" recruitment

New Jersey's 2026 charter school reforms, signed into law as A-5936/S-4713 and A-5935/S-4716, represent the most sweeping update to the Charter School Program Act of 1995 in three decades. 

The NJ Department of Education now serves as sole authorizer, using academic, organizational, and financial performance frameworks to monitor every school. New rules ban for-profit management firms, require trustees to reside in-state, mandate public disclosure of budgets and executive salaries, and give the Commissioner expanded power to revoke charters for mismanagement. 

Students benefit through stronger due process protections, fair lottery-based admissions, and safeguards against being counseled to withdraw. 

Taking effect for the 2027-28 school year, these reforms reshape how charter schools operate, are governed, and are held accountable across New Jersey.

Learn more about NJ Charter School Oversight by visiting
https://kidlaw.org/2026/03/09/nj-charter-school-oversight/

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS VIDEO

- What NJ A5052 requires insurers and Medicaid to cover
- How the "at-risk" diagnosis replaces the need for formal diagnosis
- Which insurance plans are affected by this mandate
- How cost-sharing barriers like copays are eliminated
- What school administrators must do to comply
- Why early intervention prevents lifelong health consequences

New Jersey's A5052, signed into law in January 2026, fundamentally reshapes how behavioral health services for children are covered. The law mandates that state-regulated insurers and Medicaid cover screening, prevention, and treatment, not just after a crisis, but before one develops. 

Using "at-risk" billing codes, including Social Determinants of Health Z-codes, providers can now act on family circumstances or life challenges without waiting for a formal DSM diagnosis. Copays and deductibles for adolescent depression screenings are eliminated. 

Schools must update SEHBP contracts to comply. Advocates see this as a pivotal shift from reactive crisis care to proactive, equity-focused prevention, with long-term benefits for children's mental and physical health across all income levels.

Learn more about NJ A5052 NJ PBHSC Preventative Behavioral Health Services for Children by visiting:
https://kidlaw.org/2026/03/13/nj-a5052-nj-pbhsc-preventative-behavioral-health-services-for-children/

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS VIDEO

- What IDEA is and why it was a landmark moment in federal law
- The six core pillars of IDEA, from FAPE to procedural safeguards
- How IEPs work and why they are legally binding documents
- The impact of IDEA on school administration and over 7 million students
- How IDEA functions as a civil rights statute in the justice system
- How the law continues to evolve, including the Endrew F. decision

The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, enacted in 1975, guarantees every child with a disability, birth through age 21, a Free Appropriate Public Education tailored to their needs. 

IDEA covers 13 disability categories, mandates Individualized Education Programs, requires education in the least restrictive environment, and gives parents enforceable rights at every stage. Its reach extends into the justice system, school budgets, and advocacy work nationwide. 

From early intervention under Part C to transition planning for teenagers, IDEA shapes outcomes for millions of children, and the legal obligations of every school district in America.

Learn more about IDEA Individuals with Disabilities Education Act by visiting:
https://kidlaw.org/2026/02/20/idea-individuals-with-disabilities-education-act/

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS VIDEO

- What FAPE is and the federal law behind it 
- How IEPs deliver individualized education at no cost
- What "Least Restrictive Environment" requires of schools
- How landmark cases like Endrew F. (2017) raised the bar
- Why 85–90% of special ed litigation involves FAPE
- How parents can challenge denials through due process

FAPE ,  Free Appropriate Public Education ,  is a cornerstone right under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), guaranteeing eligible students ages 3–21 special education and related services at public expense. "Appropriate" means tailored to each child through a legally binding IEP, not merely adequate — and must target meaningful progress under the Endrew F. (2017) standard. 

Schools must place students in the Least Restrictive Environment alongside peers whenever possible, and provide related services like speech therapy and transportation. 

Recent rulings in Perez v. Sturgis (2023) and A.J.T. v. Osseo (2025) expanded monetary remedies, making FAPE one of the most actively litigated areas of federal law. 

Advocacy and parental rights remain essential tools for enforcement.

Learn more about FAPE Free Appropriate Public Education by visiting:
https://kidlaw.org/2026/02/20/fape-free-appropriate-public-education/

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS VIDEO

• Licensing requirements and regulatory compliance for ECE programs
• Child abuse mandated reporting duties and legal consequences
• Liability, negligence standards, and risk management strategies
• Confidentiality rules and FERPA protections for student records
• Staff hiring laws, background checks, and employment obligations
• Health, safety codes, and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) rules

Early childhood education professionals operate within a complex legal landscape that affects every aspect of program administration. This video breaks down the critical laws governing ECE settings, from state licensing mandates and IDEA special education requirements to employment law, child maltreatment reporting obligations, and privacy protections under FERPA.

Whether you run a daycare, preschool, or Head Start program, understanding these frameworks reduces liability and keeps children safe. Practical guidance is provided to help administrators, teachers, and directors make informed, legally sound decisions every day.

Learn more about Early Childhood Education ECE by visiting
https://kidlaw.org/2026/02/18/early-childhood-education-ece/

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS VIDEO

- What CHIP is and who qualifies for coverage
- Benefits covered, from dental to mental health services
- How CHIP affects schools, courts, and advocacy efforts
- State flexibility and how programs differ by location
- New laws requiring CHIP coverage for youth leaving jail
- Proposed cuts that could strip millions of children of care

The Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provides low-cost coverage to children under 19 in working families, too much income for Medicaid, not enough for private insurance. 

Enacted in 1997, CHIP covers doctor visits, immunizations, dental, vision, mental health, and prescriptions. Out-of-pocket costs are capped at 5% of family income. States administer CHIP with flexibility, leading to variation in benefits. New federal law now requires CHIP coverage for youth exiting correctional facilities. 

Proposed federal legislation could cut over $1 trillion from Medicaid and CHIP combined, threatening coverage for millions of children.

Learn more about CHIP The Children’s Health Insurance Program by visiting:
https://kidlaw.org/2026/03/22/chip-childrens-health-insurance-program/

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS VIDEO

- How the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 became law 
- The School Breakfast Program: origins and lasting impact
- Legal structures created to protect children's food access
- How schools comply with federal nutrition mandates
- What advocacy groups are pushing for in reauthorization
- How the law has evolved through 2025 and beyond

Signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on October 11, 1966, the Child Nutrition Act established the School Breakfast Program, extended the Special Milk Program, and placed the USDA in charge of national nutritional standards. It created legally binding eligibility rules, civil rights protections, and compliance frameworks that govern school food service to this day. 

Reauthorizations have added programs like the Child and Adult Care Food Program, the Summer Food Service Program, and the Community Eligibility Provision. 

Ongoing advocacy focuses on universal free meals, Summer EBT expansion, and WIC protection. 

The law continues to evolve, reflecting America's commitment to ensuring every child has the nutrition needed to thrive.

Learn more about Child Nutrition Act of 1966 by visiting:
https://kidlaw.org/2026/02/23/child-nutrition-act-of-1966/

WHAT YOU'LL LEARN IN THIS VIDEO

- What Matthew Fraser said that got him suspended in 1983
- Why the Supreme Court ruled 7-2 against the student
- How Fraser differs from the landmark Tinker v. Des Moines ruling
- What the "Fraser Standard" means for student speech today
- How schools gained broader authority to regulate expression
- Why civil liberties advocates still challenge this ruling

In 1986, the Supreme Court ruled in Bethel School District No. 403 v. Fraser that student speech rights, while real, are not unlimited. When 17-year-old Matthew Fraser delivered a sexually suggestive speech at a school assembly, he was suspended, and the Court upheld it. 

Schools, the justices said, have an educational mission and may restrict lewd or offensive speech without proving it caused disruption. 

This case sits alongside Tinker v. Des Moines (1969) and Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier (1988) as one of three rulings that define student speech law in the United States. Understanding Fraser means understanding where student freedom ends and school authority begins.

Learn more about Bethel v. Fraser by visiting: https://kidlaw.org/2026/03/15/bethel-v-fraser/