Critchfield is pleased to announce that Wooster-based attorney Sarah Baker recently earned certification as a Civil Rights Investigator, Title IX Advisor, and K-12 Coordinator through the Association of Title IX Administrators (ATIXA).
In August of 2020, the United States Department of Education released long-awaited new regulations governing campus sexual assault under Title IX. The regulations brought about a sea change in the way that colleges, universities, and even K-12 school districts, investigate and provide due process in disciplinary actions involving students or employees in situations in which there is an allegation that sexual harassment interfered with access to an educational program or activity.
The new regulations require separate officials to handle the compliance process, including a Title IX coordinator, an investigator, and one or more decision-makers who will determine responsibility, sanctions, and remedies. There is also an appeals process available.
In anticipation of the need for certified investigators, advisors, and coordinators and to provide support and resources to our college, university, and K-12 clients, Sarah undertook the certification process through the Association of Title IX Administrators, obtaining Certifications as both a Civil Rights Investigator, Title IX Advisor, and K-12 Coordinator.
“As a firm, we dedicate resources to being on the cutting edge of legal developments,” said Robert C. Gorman, chair of Critchfield’s Education Practice Group. “Sarah has devoted extensive time to obtaining the education and certification necessary to help clients navigate the new due process requirements applicable to virtually every public and private school in the nation.”
Added Baker, “This is a challenging area in which school administrators, in addition to all of their other job responsibilities, need to take care to avoid potential loss of federal funding and other liability. I look forward to assisting schools in meeting these complex compliance requirements.”
The Education Law team at Critchfield has decades of experience representing and advising colleges and universities, along with local school districts, on a multitude of legal issues-including issues related to Title IX compliance. Attorneys in the Education Practice Group are available to advise and assist at any time.