Schafer Center Professional Outreach Event

IMPORTANT UPDATE: This event has been rescheduled to Wednesday, February 11, 2026. We look forward to seeing you then!

Demystifying the MFE Process: When, Why, and How to Engage in School District Evaluations

Please join Dr. Kelly Christian, Dr. Emily Lauster, Kim Linehan, and Amy Sheeler as they provide essential guidance for student support specialists and psychologists on how to successfully engage in the multi-factored evaluation (MFE) process.

In this session, our presenters will demystify the MFE process and provide you with actionable tools to:

• Determine a Referral: Understand your role as a school team member or clinician and when to refer a student for an evaluation.

• Demonstrate "Educational Impact": Learn how to effectively show educational impact and clarify the differences between RTI, IEP, and 504 plans.

• Create Effective Recommendations: Discover what schools are most likely to accept from a private evaluation or learning enhancement plan.

Schedule:

8:30 – 9 a.m.
Coffee & Conversation

9 – 10:30 a.m.
Program

10:30 – 11 a.m.
Q&A + School Tours

Location:

Lawrence Lower School
1551 E Wallings Road
Broadview Heights, OH 44147

1.5 MCE credits will be provided. The Schafer Center at Lawrence School is approved by the Ohio Psychological Association-MCE Program to offer continuing education for psychologists. Certificates of Attendance will be provided. Please feel free to share this invitation with professional colleagues. Presentation made possible by the generosity of the Bicknell Fund.

We hope you can join us for this free event! Please fill out the form at the bottom of the page.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Renee Voth
440.832.7850
rvoth@lawrenceschool.org

Our Presenters:

Dr. Kelly Christian, Schafer Center Clinical Director/Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Kelly Christian is a licensed clinical psychologist with extensive training and experience in the evaluation of children and adolescents. An alumna of Cornell University and Case Western Reserve University, Dr. Christian's interest in assessment was sparked by her own student experience as a graduate assistant at the Schafer Center. She later joined the staff professionally as a postdoctoral fellow and was named clinical director in 2015.

Dr. Emily Lauster, Schafer Center Clinical Psychologist

Dr. Emily Lauster is a licensed clinical psychologist in the state of Ohio. She is a graduate of The George Washington University and earned her Psy.D. in clinical psychology from The University of Denver. Dr. Lauster completed her predoctoral clinical internship training at Cambridge Health Alliance in affiliation with Harvard Medical School. As an Associate Clinical Psychologist at the Ethan D. Schafer Center, Dr. Lauster is passionate about the role that individualized, targeted assessments can play in the overall care of individuals and their families. She is dedicated to supporting families as they navigate the journey of understanding how to support their child’s learning, with a strong belief that each learner has the ability to grow given the right environment and tools.

Amy Sheeler, MA, School Psychologist/Director: Student Advocacy and Support Services

Amy Sheeler is a licensed school psychologist in the state of Ohio. She earned her master's degree in clinical psychology from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Her passion for working in schools began after she recognized that her training could have the greatest impact on a child's life within the school system. Amy has been a school psychologist since 2004 and joined Lawrence School in 2013, where she was named Director of Student Advocacy and Support Services in July 2023. She brings 20 years of experience advocating for the needs of non-public students within the public school framework.

Kim Linehan, Ed.S, NCSP, School Psychologist/Case Manager: Student Advocacy and Support Services

Kim Linehan has served as a case manager at Lawrence School since 2015, within the Department of Student Advocacy and Support Services. She is a state-licensed and Nationally Certified School Psychologist, with prior experience working in diverse public school settings supporting K-12 students. Kim holds a Bachelor's in Psychology from Ursuline College and both a Master's of Education and Education Specialist from John Carroll University. For the past 10 years, Kim has helped families navigate the ETR/IEP process and advocate for students' individual needs. She finds fulfillment in helping students grow into confident self-advocates, especially as they transition to post-secondary goals. She is dedicated to empowering every student to reach their full potential.