Understand Your Child’s Records; I can assist you with understanding what is in your child’s records and be a resource for what information may be missing or you need assistance with.
Understand Your Child’s Educational Plan:Children with disabilities often require an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). The parent should play a major role in the development of the IEP including the child’s documented strengths, weaknesses, goals, objections, related services and placement decisions.
Offer You Advice and Things to Consider: My advice is based on my experiences as a previous employee of the school system, my experiences with my own children and the training and research I have done in the areas of Special Education Law and Advocacy.
We can discuss what your child needs and I will work with you to have the school district implement a plan to provide your child with an appropriate education that is provided in the least restrictive environment with appropriate accommodations and modifications. I am here to assist you with planning and staying focused on the key factors.
To create an effective and appropriate IEP, the team needs to look closely at a child’s needs and pool their knowledge, experience and ideas to design a program for the child. Assist With Conflicts: My desire is to deescalate conflicts and use strategies and skills to help everyone to work collaboratively as a true team to benefit the child. In my experience, there are fewer conflicts when an advocate is involved in the process. I am typically able to get school’s to pay attention to the requests of the parents and implement good solutions. There is often more two-way participation in the meetings when an advocate is involved. Some school staff are not used to parent’s taking an active role in meetings. I can help you to participate in creating your child’s plan and to be seen as a responsible and respectful parent. Our goal is to make the school WANT to help your child in the least adversarial way possible. I want to help you build bridges of understanding.
Support, Educate, Equip and Empower You: My desire is to assist parents on their path of advocating for their child’s educational rights. I desire to help you become more involved and confident in your child’s education. You are not alone. I want to help you become more confident and successful in advocating for the needs of your child.