The advocate may help you to secure services and attend IEP or 504 meetings with you. Many children qualify for accommodations and modifications in the regular classroom that can make a world of difference in that child's school experiences. Some children will qualify for extra services offered through the school district. An advocate can provide the legal information and an understanding of the system. The advocate will review your case and give you an idea of what you might expect or may ask for from the school district.

Advocacy is a service offered to assist families going through the IEP process.

The Process:

1. When the parents make the initial call to the Education Center, they provide basic information about the case and receive information about our services.
2. Parents then provide copies of all relevant documentation which may include psycho-educational reports, previous IEP documents, report cards, letters from the school concerning the child, etc.
3. The advocate reviews all of the documents noting any areas of concern such as procedural errors, unattained goals and objectives, need for additional services, etc.
4. The intake appointment takes about one hour. During this time parents present their concerns and educational rights are explained and recommendations are made.
5. If we come to an agreement and the parents want advocacy services, we take the necessary steps to present the case at an IEP meeting at the school.
6. Preparation for the IEP meeting is one of the most important parts. A document is generated that explains the parents' concerns and requests for services.
7. The advocate attends the IEP meeting with parent. At the meeting the advocate's role is to inform, protect and negotiate.
8. Because IEP meetings take place at least once a year, and because often times more complicated issues are not resolved at a single meeting, the advocate may repeat the process a number of times.
9. Sometimes there is a disagreement between the school district and the parents concerning the rights of the child. When this happens, the parents have the right to take the case to mediation or due process. This part of the case is handled by an attorney.
10. The advocate may provide names of attorneys that specialize in this type of law and may prepare the case for the attorney.