Advocacy

   Individual Family Service plans (IFSP's), Individual Education Programs  (IEP's) and 504 meetings (to name a few) - are meetings that can be confusing and often fill parents with uncertaintly and questions that they don't know how to answer. While there are many resources and trainings for parents and families, having someone who understands the laws and a family's needs can make the process smoother and help parents get what they require for their children.​

   There are currently no state or national credentialing services for someone who is looking to provide support or advocacy for families. The laws are federally mandated and both Janel and Hellen have years of trainining and attendance at IEP meetings to give us an understanding of all of the things that can go wrong, as well as how often things go right. With combined experience of 32 years, Janel and Hellen have worked closely with many families to identify what they need from their schools and to help them get it.

​   Our goal in providing support for famiies is first and foremost for everyone involved to have a positive experience. Additionally, but even more importantly, we also want parents to understand the process, to be aware of what supports and services are available for their child through an IEP or a 504 and to feel empowered in getting them.​

   Additionally we know that parents may find it difficult to secure the right placement for their child, partly due to a lack of a clinical diagnosis. While some students may qualify for special education by meeting on of the 13 eligibility criteria, there remains a difference between school eligibility criteria and medical diagnosis.  If this is the case we are happy to discuss private referrals for evaluation to gain a medical diagnosis to better support services for your child.