HOW DO I KNOW IT IS TIME TO HIRE AN ADVOCATE?
There are multiple factors that may indicate it is time to hire an advocate. Here are some of the most common, but at any point that you have questions or concerns about your child’s educational needs related to Special Education services or a suspected disability, it is a good idea to contact an advocate.
If your child has a current IEP or 504 plan, but is not being serviced according to that plan and you need assistance addressing this with the school.
If your child is having difficulty in school and you believe her or she may need to be evaluated to determine if they meet eligibility requirements for Special Education services but aren’t sure how to start that process with the school.
Your child has been evaluated for Special Education eligibility and you aren’t sure what the next steps are.
Your child has received an Individualized Education Plan (IEP), Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)/ Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP), 504 Plan, or some other service plan and you aren’t sure what it all means or have questions about it’s content.
Your child’s school wants to evaluate your child for a suspected disability and you have questions or concerns.
What documentation do I need to bring to a consultation?
It is important to bring any and all documentation related to your child’s education to a consultation. This includes, but is not limited to, any evaluations that have been done by the school or private practitioner; report cards/progress reports, work samples, IEP/ 504 plan, behavior plan, any correspondence between you and school staff or service providers.
Do you accept insurance?
Unfortunately I am not able to accept insurance as advocacy and consulting services are educational rather than medical needs and are not covered by insurance. All services are private pay only.
Is financial assistance available?
At this time financial assistance is not available. This is something that I hope to offer in the future.
What school districts do you serve?
I work with families from all schools and districts. I do not limit services to any specific school or district. My services are for families, no matter what school or district they attend.
Is there a travel fee?
Travel within 40 miles from my office is included in the cost of services. Any travel outside of the 40 mile radius is an additional fee.
Are you an attorney?
I am not an attorney or a legal advisor. I can assist with understanding of Special Education law and parental rights. If there is a disagreement between the parent and school staff, I will advise on the IDEA process for Special Education Due Process hearings and will assist in finding an attorney to represent the parent.
What if my child has never attended public school and needs services?
Your child can still receive services even if he or she has never attended public school. A consultation will need to be scheduled in order to have as much information as possible and determine a plan of action.
What if my child is transitioning into public school from private or homeschool and needs services?
Your child can receive services at the public school. A consultation will need to be scheduled to discuss the specifics of your child’s case and make a plan of action.
Are school districts required to write an IEP for students with a diagnosed disability?
This depends upon how your child’s diagnosed disability affects his or her education. There are federal requirements for Special Education services that must be followed. If your child does meet eligibility for an IEP, I will work with you on that process and attend school meetings with you to get the IEP in place.
Can I get an advocate after I have already met with the school? What if I signed paperwork at the meeting?
Yes, you can contact an advocate at any point in the process. Many parents contact an advocate after they have met with the school and do not feel comfortable moving forward. If you have already signed paperwork at the meeting, and still have questions about what you signed, it can always be re-visited with school staff.