Advocacy Services

Advocacy is any action that speaks in favor of, recommends, argues for a cause, supports or defends, or pleads on behalf of others.

Students and families deserve nothing less.

Your student may have already identified needs, whereas others require parents/caregivers to seek support to help them identify issues that may affect their child's learning.

As your advocate, you can expect a thorough explanation of and support throughout the Special Education or 504 process.

See below for a listing of my available services.

Prepare & Organize

I can help prepare you for meetings related to your child(ren)’s special education program – especially meetings to discuss reevaluations and IEPs or Individualized Family Service Plans (IFSPs) through helping you write appropriate IEP/IFSP goals and objectives and suggest appropriate supports and accommodations for your child(ren). I can also organize your child(ren)’s records for use in upcoming meetings.
Analyze & Review

I will objectively analyze the quality of your child(ren)’s education program to determine if their needs are being met in their current setting as well as any documents you receive from the school that are related to your child(ren)’s educational programming. I will review and explain educational records, including evaluations and testing, Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), and progress reports for your child(ren) in terms that are easier to understand and review important documents, such as the IEP before you sign them.
Guide & Represent

As an advocate, I am versed in the different kinds of assessments, their purposes, and reports from evaluation professionals. This allows me to guide you through the evaluation process, help you understand how your child(ren) is/are assessed, and even accompany you to meetings and assist in the negotiation process between you and the school as a representative at all Admission, Review, and Dismissal or ARD meetings.
Assist & Recommend

As your advocate, I can assist you in understanding dispute resolution procedures and assess the strength of your case. I can also help you draft letters and written requests to a school or EI agency. Moreover, I can recommend types of assessments that might be helpful to obtain and refer you to private service professionals who can conduct Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs) or provide other services as needed for your child(ren).
Transition Preparation & Planning

Federal law requires all districts to provide transition services for all students receiving special education services beginning at age 14. Our advocates are well versed in post-secondary readiness and equip families with pertinent knowledge of deadlines, services, and available resources to aid in post-secondary readiness.
Equity and Inclusion in SPED: Professional Learning for Educators and Leaders

How can campuses create and maintain equitable and inclusive environments for students with disabilities in the general education classroom? What does equitable inclusion look like at the secondary level? What is the role of diverse data collection for student goal progress? These and many more questions are answered in my workshop series for special education teachers, paraprofessionals, and campus leaders.