I offer free of charge special education advocacy services. For example, I can do file reviews and make program recommendations, help prepare for and attend IEP meetings (by video conference or phone), write letters to school districts or just provide advice on any special education topic.
I travel full time so all services are provided by phone, email or video chat.
As a retired school district special education director, I have the knowledge and experience to provide parents with expert assistance in all areas of special education.
As the grandfather of a lovely and brilliant 15 year old girl with autism I have the experience of advocating for a family member. I know how difficult the process can be and how important it is to have access to an insiders knowledge of schools and districts.
One caveat, while I can help families with representation up to formal mediations, I cannot provide representation at due process hearings. I am not an attorney and I am not qualified to provide that service.
As noted, all services are provided free of charge. I also do not charge for any out of pocket expenses I may incur providing representation. Providing advocacy is my way of giving back a little for a career I loved and the satisfaction I get from helping families with children with special needs.
I look forward to hearing from families in need of help.
MY BACKGROUND
I worked in special education for 20 years, first as a teacher for students with emotional disturbances, then as a coordinator for special education programs, and finally as a special education director for two different school districts. In addition, I taught in the evenings at a California state university campus for five years, teaching classes on special education to general education teacher credential candidates. I retired in 2014.
For the past 6 years I have been traveling and providing volunteer special education advocacy services for families with children in the special education system. I recently finished a book titled “Special Education Advocacy: A Beginner’s Guide for Parents of K–12 Students with Mild to Moderate Disabilities”. This book will be available to be downloaded soon through this website free of charge.