New York Legal Assistance Group’s Special Education Unit Receives Grant from The New York Bar Foundation

New York Legal Assistance Group's Special Education Unit Receives Grant from The New York Bar Foundation

• April 8, 2026
• 2:14 pm

NEW YORK - The New York Bar Foundation's grant program supports nonprofit organizations across New York State whose law-related projects expand access to justice, advance the rule of law, strengthen the justice system and help meet pressing community needs.

"The Foundation is proud to support organizations whose work helps expand access to justice, strengthen communities and respond to real needs across New York State," said the Honorable Cheryl E. Chambers, president of The New York Bar Foundation.

New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) recently received a grant from The New York Bar Foundation. The grant will support its Special Education Unit (SEU) program. NYLAG's SEU program provides free legal services to students and families to ensure that children with disabilities can exercise their guaranteed right to a free and appropriate public education in the least restrictive environment. Last year, SEU handled 275 cases and secured nearly $7 million in ongoing education benefits for 168 families. Thanks in part to the support of The New York Bar Foundation, whose generous $9000 grant will go toward support staff, SEU will be able to directly serve an estimated nearly 340 individuals, benefitting more than one thousand people by extension across the broader New York City community this year.

"With this grant, our lawyers can bolster their capacity to collaborate with parents of children with disabilities, help navigate the legal complexities of the special education system, and ensure students receive the educational services to which they are entitled," said Jessica Selecky, director of New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG)'s Special Education Unit. "We thank The New York Bar Foundation for supporting our work-including consultations and representation at impartial hearings, appeals and court actions-which in turn, supports children with disabilities to make meaningful progress in their education that matches their needs."

The Foundation recently awarded more than $570,000 in support of law-related programs across New York State, helping nonprofit organizations expand services, address urgent needs, and build momentum for future growth.

"Our grantees are doing important work in communities throughout the state, and these grants help them build capacity, meet urgent needs and extend their reach," said Gioia Gensini, chair of the Grants Review Committee.

The New York Bar Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. To learn more about the Foundation, visit tnybf.org.

Related Articles