Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an attorney and a non-attorney educational advocate?
As a non-attorney advocate, I work in partnership with a family. Once involved, I will provide direct advocacy services to secure a strong individualized educational program (IEP) or 504 plan for your child. I will analyze your case and provide options for you to consider as a path forward. I do not practice law. I do not provide legal representation. I work on the principle that collaboration is the best way to maintain healthy relationships.
However, I also recognize the need for attorney involvement at specific points in some cases. When working with a family, I always make decisions based on the idea that dispute resolution procedures, such as due process, may be necessary if resolution cannot be achieved. I aim to help families achieve their goals while preparing the case to be successfully passed to an attorney if required. If an attorney is needed, I will provide you with a list of possible attorneys through my affiliated Law Firm. Once your case is in the hands of an attorney, I will continue to support your case whenever possible and will do so without charging additional fees.
What are some common reasons people seek the help of an education advocate?
There are several reasons families choose to work with an advocate. Some of the more common reasons are:
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Families who are looking to resolve issues collaboratively
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Families who are looking for more services and supports for their child
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Families who do not feel their child's educational goals are appropriate
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Families trying to get a Child Study Team to evaluate after first being denied
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Families who want to feel supported during a meeting. They feel outnumbered and want the comfort of someone they trust to be with them.
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Families looking to prepare a case to hand off to an attorney
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Families who are new to New Jersey and need help navigating the educational system
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A family whose child recently received a diagnosis, and they need guidance and support as they navigate the educational system.
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Divorced parents or families with different perspectives who need a mutual party to help bring everyone together so that they can effectively advocate for their child.
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Families looking to save on cost. The cost of an advocate is substantially less than the cost of an attorney.
What are some of your common areas of practice?
Common diagnoses or identified problem areas include:
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Autism Spectrum Disorder
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Autism Spectrum Disorder- 2x exceptional
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Specific Learning Disability such as Dyslexia
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Auditory Processing Disorder
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Mental Health concerns- anxiety, depression, mood disorders, trauma
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Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
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Tourette Syndrome
What are some of the common concerns families have when they come to you?
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Families looking for more services such as speech therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy
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Families looking for a structured literacy program such as Orton Gillingham or Wilson Reading
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Families looking to rewrite their child's IEP goals
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Families looking for out-of-district placement
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Families looking for inclusion and the Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
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Families who do not feel their child is making progress, but they do not know what to do
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Families who have concerns about the Child Study Team (CST) evaluations
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Transitioning from Early Intervention to school-based services
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Transition from middle school to high school
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Transition from high school to adulthood
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Families whose child faces behavioral difficulties, and they disagree with the school's actions
How do you charge for your services?
Our partnership starts with a free (optional) phone call to determine if we are a good match for each other. During our phone call, I will provide the information you need to book an initial consultation and I will get a general idea of your concerns. Following the initial consultation meeting, a retainer agreement is sent to you based on the needs, goals, and plans identified during the conference. All services are payable in advance.
Resources for Learning About Educational Rights
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New Jersey Department of Education ~ https://www.nj.gov/education/
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New Jersey Office of Special Education ~ https://www.nj.gov/education/specialed/
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Parental Rights in Special Education - New Jersey ~ https://www.nj.gov/education/specialed/parents/
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New Jersey Special Education Directories ~ https://www.nj.gov/education/specialed/osedirectories/
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IDEA related files for New Jersey ~ https://sites.ed.gov/idea/state/new-jersey/
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N.J.A.C. 6A:14, Special Education ~ https://www.nj.gov/education/code/current/title6a/chap14.pdf
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New Jersey Department of Education - Policy and Procedures in Special Education ~ https://www.nj.gov/education/specialed/policy/
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Center for Parent Information and Resources ~ https://www.parentcenterhub.org/evaluation-2/
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Division of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing ~ https://www.nj.gov/humanservices/ddhh/
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U.S. Department of Education ~ https://www.ed.gov/
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Office of Special Education Program (OSEP)- Policy Letters and Policy Support Documents ~ https://sites.ed.gov/idea/policy-letters-policy-support-documents/
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U.S. Department of Education- Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) ~ https://sites.ed.gov/idea/
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The Civil Rights of Students with Hidden Disabilities Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ~ https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/hq5269.html
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U.S. Department of Education- Frequently Asked Questions about 504 and the education of children with disabilities. ~ https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/504faq.html
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Guide to Disability Rights ~ https://www.ada.gov/resources/disability-rights-guide/
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Statewide Parent Advocacy Network (SPAN) ~ https://spanadvocacy.org/
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