Your Education Advocates
Through passionate advocacy, personalized guidance, and collaborative partnerships, we strive to create a more equitable and empowered educational journey for every student we serve.
Who We Are
You know your child best, but when you try to advocate for your child you don’t feel you are heard. Schools are charged with providing education to many diverse students and develop “programs” to serve students. Often the needs of the individual child are overlooked. At Your Education Advocates we are trained professionals skilled at translating your concerns into an education plan that meets your child’s individual needs.
We are also parents of children with a disability with a unique perspective on the importance of the role of a parent in school team meetings.
Advocacy Services
Our goal in providing advocacy services is to empower parents to be able to advocate for their student. It is not uncommon for school staff to be unfamiliar with what services and supports are available for students with disabilities, to try to employ a one-size-fits all approach, or to fail to really listen and address the concerns of the family. Parents should be active and informed members of any group that makes educational decisions for their child. We will help you be an empowered and informed parent.
What’s the first step?
Our advocacy services typically start with a record review. Parents bring any documents they have regarding the student (current IEP or 504 Plan, report cards, evaluations, etc.). We listen to the concerns and goals of the parent and assist parents with developing a strategy to address their educational concerns.
Will you attend a school team meeting with me?
Yes. Often after we develop a strategy we contact the school district, set up a meeting (if one has not already been scheduled) and attend with the parent to make sure that the parent’s concerns are heard. We work collaboratively with the parent and the school team to develop an appropriate educational plan for the student.
What if I just need help getting my thoughts together?
We can do that! Sometimes parents only want a consultation to make sure they understand the process and feel confident and empowered to advocate for their child.
What services do you offer?
- Review of an IEP or 504 Plan and provide recommendations.
- Advocate alongside parents at school meetings including IEP meetings, 504 Plan meetings, FBA/PBIP meetings and other school meetings.
- Create an environment in school team meetings where parents and students can be heard .
- Obtain an initial IEP or 504 Plan.
- Assist with obtaining transition services for a student.
- Help parents navigate the public school system and understand their rights and the obligations of public schools.
- Promote high expectations and independence for students with disabilities.
- Work with charter schools to implement an IEP or 504 Plan.
- Help families understand how the FES-UA scholarship works and provide expertise in reviewing matrix of services documentation.
- Assist with private RBT and BCBA collaboration with schools through the PIP process.
How Can Hiring An Advocate Help Me?
GET ORGANIZED
We can help you prepare for meeting, including proposing goals and objectives, reviewing supportive evidence and materials, helping put concerns and requests in writing, and providing effective strategies for the meeting.
We can review and analyze all special education documents, including student files, assessment reports, supportive evidence and materials such as doctor and therapists’ reports, and IEPs, Gifted EPs and Section 504 Plans and discuss findings with you.
We can assist you with drafting letters and written requests or complaints to the school, district, or the State Department of Education.
GET INFORMED
We can inform you of your rights and suggest appropriate special education services and programs to meet your student’s individual needs.
We can articulate the meaning of assessments and reports and explain them with regard to your child’s educational needs.
GET EMPOWERED
We can accompany you to IEP, Gifted EP, and Section 504 Plan meetings and provide advice and assistance as needed throughout the special education process.
We can review draft IEP, Gifted EP, and Section 504 Plan documents and advise you before you sign them.
We can help you get your concerns heard by the school district and help you resolve a dispute.
We can assess the strength of your case and make recommendations on how to proceed and refer you to a special education attorney, if needed, should you believe that you are ready to take your case to due process or file a complaint.
We can empower, inform, guide and educate parents and students to strengthen their own advocacy skills.