How do I become a Lay Advocate for Special Education?

So often while helping families understand and navigate the special education process we are asked "How can I learn to be an Advocate?"  LIAC's Lay Advocacy Training  will teach participants the core competencies in effective lay advocacy.  We are implementing the curriculum provided by our PTIC partner, The Advocacy Center in Rochester, NY. 

Lay Advocacy is a multi-session training series which prepares parents of children with disabilities to better advocate within the educational system for their own children and as a volunteer for other families, too. Participants are selected through an application process.

 Topics to be covered include:

  • Fostering positive interaction between schools and families
  • Successful methods to approach CSE/CPSE meetings
  • Improving communication skills
  • Developing effective IEP or 504 plans
  • Accessing and interpreting school records
  • Learning about classification, evaluation, and placement options
  • Proven techniques to help parents having difficulty with the special education process
  • Supporting other parents by attending meetings and conducting phone consultations

There is no fee for this training series. Lunch and Beverages will be provided. If necessary for you to attend, stipends may be considered for travel expenses pending approval. 
 
The first Lay Advocacy Training series will be hosted by
the Long Island Parent Technical Assistance Center http://www.liparentcenter.com/ 
Located at: 887 Kellum Street Lindenhurst, NY.
 
There will be 5 sessions from 9:30am-2:25pm on the following Tuesdays in March and April:
March 2
March 9
March 16
March 23
April 20 
In addition to the 25 hours of classroom instruction, the remaining 5 hours will include individual supervised and supported volunteer work experience at the Long Island Advocacy Center. This may include contacting families that are looking for special education support, calling families to complete intakes, or attending IEP meetings. We believe that this will be a great opportunity for you to apply the skills learned during the trainings. 

THE UPCOMING SESSION IS NOW FULL. PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR A FUTURE TRAINING