Getting Started
• Call or email to schedule an Intake
• Meet for a 2 hour consultation regarding IEP development and parent concerns
• Sign Request for Records and Release of Information
• Schedule IEP meeting
Overview
This information will give you an overview of what to expect as a new client of It Consultants, Inc. I have recently founded It Consultants, Inc. and am excited about this new venture. This corporation will enable me to increase my ability to assist you in meeting the special needs of your child.
I am looking for other consultants/advocates who are interested in working with It Consultants, Inc. These consultants will be assisting me with your case in several capacities. They may attend your IEP meeting as an additional consultant or they may attend your meeting as your primary consultant, under my supervision. I will notify you well in advance as to which consultant will be assisting you. Adding additional consultants to It Consultant, Inc. will enable me to establish a consulting service that will serve more children and make a greater impact while working with CNUSD and its surrounding districts.
I have established a few new guidelines that will make the consulting process more efficient. My office hours are 8:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m., Monday – Friday. Unless it is an urgent situation or there are concerns regarding an IEP meeting scheduled for 8:00 the following day, please honor the hours that I am available.
If you are not an existing client and have a specific question regarding your child’s IEP, I have set up a Pay Pal service to provide information online. This will enable me to answer your individual question regarding your child’s IEP. Simply email me your question and make a payment on Pay Pal. I will email you the information you need to resolve whatever issue you may be facing in meeting the needs of your child.
When you have an IEP meeting, please arrive 10 minutes early, which will allow for us to review any last minute concerns in preparation for the meeting. Please wear conservative business attire. If work schedules allow, please attempt to have both parents at your meeting.
Many of you have attended the FETA meetings that I began offering in January of 2008. These meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every month excluding May, July, and December. This class is based on the book “From Emotions to Advocacy” (FETA) written by Pete and Pam Wright, founders of the Wrightslaw Website. It is essential that you purchase this book, which is available online or at your local bookstore. I strongly encourage all of my clients to attend these meetings. This is invaluable information for you as a parent of a special needs child and it will enable you to continue to grow in your knowledge as an advocate on your child’s behalf. It will also help us to work collaboratively as you increase your knowledge of special education law and your understanding the IEP process. I believe that it is imperative that parents educate themselves in terms of how to work with their local school district. My belief is so strong that I have set up an incentive for parents to attend these meetings by giving you a 15% discount on my services if you attend the 9 FETA meetings I offer each year. For more information regarding the FETA meetings, go to the FETA tab on the website to see an overview of the subjects we will cover at each FETA meeting.
I have also developed a Client Reference List . The purpose of this list is to provide references to parents who are interested in It Consulting Services. Potential new clients will be invited to contact parents on the list in order to assess what their experience has been when working with me and if my services have been helpful in meeting the educational needs of their child.
I believe It Consultants, Inc. has made significant progress in developing professional and collaborative relationships with our local and surrounding school districts over the past school year. I am greatly encouraged by the systems change that has taken place as we continue to work together to provide inclusion for all children with special needs. We are powerful when we team together and I believe we can truly make a difference in educating our community to be inclusive minded.
- Call Advocates for Angels to schedule your intake. The longer you delay in asking for assistance with your child’s IEP, the longer your child’s progress will be delayed.
- During your meeting your advocate will have you complete the required paperwork for her to speak on your behalf. This will give her the authorization to write legal letters and emails to district administrators and collaborate with your IEP team regarding your child’s IEP.
- At the Intake, your advocate will meet your child and conduct an interview and observation to allow her to evaluate your child’s needs. At this time, you will have the opportunity to relay all of your concerns and the experience you have had with your local school district.
- Your advocate will contact your district administrator to review your child’s case and discuss the agenda items for the upcoming IEP meeting.
- Your advocate will confirm that the appropriate team members will be in attendance, the date and time of the meeting and ensure at least a 2 hour allotment is provided.
- Your advocate will request your child’s cume file and review your child’s educational history. This might require that your advocate will need to communicate with your child’s doctors, service providers and educators.
- Your advocate will send notice to tape the meeting and keep the recording for your records.
- Your advocate will attend the meeting with you to facilitate your agenda, ensure the development of the IEP to provide the appropriate supports and services necessary to meet the unique needs of your child and protect your parental rights.
- Your advocate will do whatever is necessary to follow up on your meeting and confirm that the IEP was implemented as agreed upon or proceed with the appeal process if necessary.
