Staff cuts limit support for families with disabled children

The U.S. Education Department has cut its staff by about half, impacting the Office for Civil Rights, which investigates complaints from families of children with disabilities. Advocates say this will make it harder for families to seek help. Previously, families could file complaints with the Office for Civil Rights without needing a lawyer. However, with the staff reductions, advocates worry that the backlog of over 20,000 cases will grow, delaying investigations. A federal lawsuit has been filed challenging these layoffs, claiming they hinder the office's ability to address discrimination complaints. Education Department officials maintain that the cuts will not affect civil rights investigations.