Advocate that works in DC and can meet in person?

[Anonymous]

Hoping to get names of effective advocates and or attorney to help us determine how effective our current IEP might be. There are a fair amount of services and hours. But as we all know "hours" of services don't always mean effective services.
I would like someone that can looks at the IEP & recent outcomes line by line. Compare with medical testing records & recommendations. Help us determine if this is really the best IEP or if changes would make it more effective. As well as direct us in longer term planning for school.
We have gotten a couple names but they only work in MD or are virtual only. And I would prefer someone local that can observe at the school if needed.

Bonus if you can tell me the best way to interview a Advocate and figure out if they are a good fit for you child.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[Anonymous]

Have they been a Special Education teacher in your child's district? Have they taught your child's grade level, placement, or disability before? How recently? How many children similar to mine have you taught? This is important because it means they've had to have written IEPs and implemented them for children similar to yours before. They would know what effective data collection and realistic goals look like. They've been trained in what current teaching best practices are.

Another good thing to ask for is legal experience. Have you worked with a Special Education attorney before? How many? How recently? What was the nature of the work? Any grifter can call themselves an advocate, but this should help weed out the pretenders.

[Anonymous]

Check yellow pages for kids and do a thorough search on here. I wish there were more DC specific advocate lists!

https://www.yellowpagesforkids.com/help/dc.htm

[Anonymous]

Avoid ones that charge for consults, and also claim to do testing and tutoring. The public school should be providing all appropriate testing, and tutoring isn't necessary if the IEP is good. It's just a money grab.

[Anonymous]

Where did you receive your training in special education matters? Do you have a real degree or some BS "certification"? For a lawyer, how many due process hearings have you won this year? How many have you lost?

[Anonymous]

I can't name my advocate here because I don't know if they are taking new clients (or even want their name mentioned on DCUM, lol).

First, it sounds like you want a consultant with more experience in implementing and designing IEPs than a lawyer? I am a lawyer, and I purposefully went with a non-lawyer consultant because I had no interest in suing (at that point).

Second, find someone you click with. I immediately trusted and liked my advocate when we first spoke.

Third, make sure they have a background in designing *and implementing* IEPs. My consultant is a former special ed teacher, which is perfect.

I'll also add - my consultant does not specialize in DCPS but is well able to handle DCPS. DCPS is so lackadaisical that experience in any other jurisdiction should be fine. If/when you need to sue, then you need an attorney who specializes in DCPS. I think the only question I'd ask the consultant is how they are creating a record and how they work with an attorney if due process becomes necessary.

[Anonymous]

I think asking the number of years they taught and how recently they last taught can also be helpful. Someone who retired 15 years ago to do full time advocacy may not be up to date on what's currently going on in schools.

[Anonymous]

Don't be afraid to come across as a little aggressive or assertive when you first consult with some. Not being a Karen, but making it clear that you're savvy enough to not get walked on.

[Anonymous]

We have worked with three of the top people mentioned on this board and none have come anywhere close to being able to do what you describe. They were really all a waste of time and money.

[Anonymous]

When was the last time those people taught?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have worked with three of the top people mentioned on this board and none have come anywhere close to being able to do what you describe. They were really all a waste of time and money.

The top people mentioned here tend to be really adversarial. Sometimes that’s appropriate. But there are advocates who will work productively with the school and do observations. Shop around.