Laura Sapirstein

Laura Sapirstein is an education advisor/consultant in the Westchester Court Education Initiative at Westchester County Family Court. The Education Initiative is designed to address the educational needs of children ages 3-21 whose parents are in court due to allegations of neglect or abuse, children who have been placed in foster care, those reuniting with their biological families, or children in the adoptive process. This population is generally at a higher risk for developmental disabilities, truancy, and tenuous living situations, which severely impact their ability to make even adequate progress in school. Through careful consultation with judges and court attorney referees, Laura works with attorneys for the child, the Department of Social Services, school districts, and caregivers to help protect and insure the children’s educationally related legal entitlements and helps to promote safe and effective plans for school programming. Laura has been a resident of Westchester County for close to 30 years, was raised in Riverdale, and attended the New York City Public Schools. She holds a Masters of Arts Degree in Special Education from New York University and was both a teacher and administrator in the Boston Public Schools. Since moving back to New York in 1986 she has advocated for the educational rights of Westchester students, and has trained attorneys, social workers, school district personnel, and caregivers on federal and state education mandates.