5 Steps to becoming your child’s best advocate

1. Start with the assumption that you are an equal partner in your child' education.

2. Deal with your perceptions or feelings about yourself as a parent of a child with special needs.

3. Acquire knowledge! You don't have to memorize or know everything but be aware and ask questions. And don't be intimidated!

· 1. Know about IDEA 2004 (Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004)

· 2. Know that not all issues are controlled by the local school system.

· 3. Know how "the system" operates.

· 4. Know the people.

4.  Improve your skills!

· 1. Communication

· 2. Documentation and Letter Writing

· 3. Record Keeping

5.  Participate! This is the most important thing you can do for your child!

Participate in:

1. The development of your child's IEP (Individualized Education Program)

·  share your ideas

·  attend all meetings!

2. Teacher conferences 3. Parent Group meetings 4. School functions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ECAC Breaking News

          New regulations for IDEA ( the Individuals with Disabilities Act) were released on December 1, 2008 and became effective on  December 31, 2008.  Included in the new  regulations are two key changes of particular interest to parents and families with children    receiving special education services and their educators:

· Parents now have the right to revoke consent for special education services and schools no longer have the right to challenge a parents decision to revoke their consent.

· The new regulations also state that parents and families can have "non-attorneys" represent them in due process hearings.

 

 

For more information:

- Download a pdf of the Part B Regulations - December 1, 2008

- Visit the US Department of Education's searchable website

- Visit the Wright's Law website to read a summary of the regulations

or please call an ECAC Parent Educator at 1-800-962-6817

 

 

ECAC brings you Breaking News you can use!

January 2009

New regulations for IDEA ( the Individuals with Disabilities Act) were released on December 1, 2008 and became effective on December 31, 2008.  Included in the new regulations are two key changes of particular interest to parents and families with children receiving special education services and their educators:

· Parents now have the right to revoke consent for special education services and schools no longer have the right to challenge a parents decision to revoke their consent.

· The new regulations also state that parents and families can have "non-attorneys" represent them in due process hearings.

For more information:

· - Download a pdf of the Part B Regulations - December 1, 2008

·  

 

 

Would you like assistance preparing for your child’s IEP Meeting or need someone to attend with you? Or would you like to    volunteer to help another parent get ready for their child’s IEP meeting? If so, ECAC’s IEP Partners can help. ECAC’s IEP Partners are volunteers who are trained by ECAC Parent Educators to help parents prepare for IEP meetings and provide knowledgeable support during IEP meetings when possible. ECAC offers IEP Partners Trainings throughout NC. If you are interested in becoming an IEP Partner or would like more information about requesting an IEP Partner, call: 1-800-962-6817 and ask for Dawn Moore or Mary LaCorte.

IEP PARTNERS