Frequently Asked Questions

At WE Advocate, we are committed to empowering caregivers to effectively advocate for their child's educational rights. An educational advocate is a professional who supports and guides parents, caregivers, and students in navigating the educational system. Our services are designed to expertly navigate parents through the special education system, ensuring that your child's unique needs are met. We assist in creating, editing, and revising your child's Individualized Education Program (IEP) documents, attend Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) meetings, collaborate with outside service providers, and counsel all stakeholders on the current protections and resources available to them.

We firmly believe in advocating for your child's rights and education. Don't let schools back you into a corner. Your child has a right to a free, appropriate, public education, and together, we can ensure they receive it.

 Investing in an advocate is investing in your child's future as they are adept at the following:

• Federal Law Safeguards: Special education federal law is complex and ever-changing, aimed at protecting students with disabilities.
• Advocate's Expertise: An advocate is a trained expert in leveraging both classroom experience and the law to ensure students receive their entitled support and services.
• Navigating School Challenges: Schools may face limitations due to finances or staff, potentially impacting decisions regarding your child's needs.
• Accountability Through Advocacy: Having an advocate holds schools accountable to the laws that protect your child's educational rights, preventing delays that hinder your child's access to education.
• Optimizing Your Child's School Experience: Your child deserves the best from their school experience. Partner with the right advocate to ensure your child receives the support they need. 

Any family who has a child with a disability (physical, mental, behavioral, health, learning, developmental etc.) or suspects their child has a disability, should add an advocate to their team as soon as possible. Time is valuable, and when it comes to receiving specialized education services, every day your child doesn't receive the services they need is another day where their educational opportunities are lost.  Advocates can guide parents through any part of the special education process from testing and evaluations to ARD meetings, IEP implementation and mediation. They can also hold teachers, principals and districts accountable for pre-existing IEPs, 504 plans and tiered interventions.

 Educational advocates handle a wide range of cases, including:

• Securing appropriate Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or 504 plans
• Addressing disputes or conflicts with the school
• Facilitating effective communication between parents and educators
• Advocating for services and accommodations tailored to the child's requirements.

  Yes, educational advocates can accompany you to school meetings such as IEP or 504 plan meetings. Their presence ensures that your child's needs and rights are effectively communicated and that the best possible plan is established for your child's educational success. 

 Absolutely. Any information you provide to an educational advocate is treated with strict confidentiality. Maintaining your privacy and the privacy of your child is a fundamental principle of advocacy. 

 To begin the process, simply reach out to our office through our contact page or phone number. We'll arrange an initial consultation to discuss your child's needs, challenges, and how our services can best support you.

 We understand the importance of managing costs. During the consultation, we will discuss our fee structure and potential options to accommodate your budget. Investing in your child's education through advocacy can often result in long-term benefits and is worth considering. *ask us about our free and reduced lunch discount!*

 While educational advocates often focus on children with special needs, they can assist any family seeking support in navigating the educational system. Whether your child has unique requirements or you simply need guidance in understanding the educational landscape, an advocate can provide valuable assistance. 

The duration of the advocacy process can vary based on the complexity of the case and the needs of the child. Some cases may be resolved relatively quickly, while others might require ongoing support throughout the school year. We strive to work efficiently and effectively to achieve the best outcomes for your child.