Learning or suspecting that you have a child with a disability can be an overwhelming experience. While trying to learn as much as you can about the obstacles your family may be facing, you are also thrown into a complex and intimidating process of chartering the special education waters within our school systems. Whether your student needs a 504 or IEP (Individualized Education Program), you have a limited amount of time to interpret the data, learn the rights/responsibilities of each party, speak the language of special education, and articulate what you have learned through meetings and correspondences. It can be overwhelming. Parents are often left in the dark of what steps to take and it can be a long and difficult journey with not great outcomes at the end.

 
 
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Jessica developed a passion for Special Education Advocacy after navigating the process for her own children. Seeing firsthand the struggles families face and the tools/resources that can help bring successful outcomes, she began working with other families. Jessica has a varied background in the business world from non-profit start-ups to marketing/sales in the healthcare industry. Her strong analytical skills to collect and interpret data combined with strong negotiation and communication skills has led to many successful outcomes for students and families. Jessica believes in continuous training to better support families. She has attended training from Peter Wright (Special Education Attorney Thought Leader) with WrightsLaw on Special Education Law & Advocacy and is a member of COPAA (Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates).

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How Can an Advocate Help?

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An advocate can help navigate the process of special education by:

  • Assist in a student being properly identified for suspected disabilities, if not already identified

  • Assist in gathering and organizing necessary data/records in regard to the student

  • Thorough document review/analysis of all records (including evaluations, assessments, report cards, anecdotal education notes, IEPs, etc.); Identify special education issues/concerns

  • Correspond with the school/district on your behalf or assist in correspondence

  • Strong knowledge of the State and Federal laws that govern special education and be able to inform families of their child’s rights to a Free and Public Education (FAPE)

  • Attend IEP/504 or other relevant school meetings with parents to assist in advocacy for the best interests of the student

  • Recommend specialists, service providers and evaluators

  • Assist with the IEE (Independent Education Evaluation) process

  • Negotiate with the school/district on your behalf

  • Advise on developing a strategy for collaborating with the school

  • Educate families on how to be a great long-term advocate for their child

Have a question?

Not sure where to start or what the first step should be? That is how most parents feel. Overwhelmed with the process, the paperwork and mostly how to best support their child. Parents feel so much better after they have some guidance and direction and know what their options are. If you are a parent trying to figure out where to go and how to best help your child, click below to set up your free 30-minute consultation.