Advocacy

Parent Advocacy

You are the expert on your child and their needs. 

Sometimes, when trying to help our children, the process can be frustrating, confrontational, and simply overwhelming.  As the expert on your child, you know what the issues are. You know where your child is frustrated and struggling. You know how long homework takes and how hard your child is working. 

Sometimes as parents, we need help using the right vocabulary to ask for what our child needs.  (What's an IEP/504? Does my child need one?)  

Sometimes we need help understanding and navigating the various systems and processes. (What's an SST and why do I want one?) 

Sometimes we don't even know who to ask for help from. (Teacher? Principal? I always try to build my team with the teacher first.)

The following information is provided for your research and understanding as I work on building some simplified FAQ's. 

What is an Advocate?

Here is how the dictionary defines the term “advocate“: ad-vo-cate – Verb, transitive. To speak, plead or argue in favor of. Synonym is support.

1. One that argues for a cause; a supporter or defender; an advocate of civil rights.

2. One that pleads in another’s behalf; an intercessor; advocates for abused children and spouses.

3. A lawyer. (The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition)

An advocate performs several functions:

• Supports, helps, assists, and aids

• Speaks and pleads on behalf of others

• Defends and argues for people or causes

Who can be an advocate? Anyone can advocate for another person. 

(From Wrights Law http://www.wrightslaw.com/advoc/articles/advocacy.intro.htm)

Why Advocate?

Good special education services are intensive and expensive. Resources are limited. If you have a child with special needs, you may wind up battling the school district for the services your child needs. To prevail, you need information, skills, and tools. Sometimes, you may just need someone to help walk you through the process. We can help you advocate for your child, highlighting services and accommodations most beneficial to support your child's specific needs.

Parent Advocacy Resources

• Understood.org

• Wright's Law -Special Education Law & Advocacy

• NoLo Press -  California specifics for the Individual Education Plan (IEP) Process  

• Disability Rights California - Special Education Rights & Responsibility (SERR) Manual 

• Disability Rights Education & Defense Fund- Parent training on the Special Education Process and Parent Advocacy for your child. Limited assistance is available for advocacy & legal assistance. 

• California Department of Education, Special Education

• US Department of Education (USDE)

• Individuals with Disabilities Act, (USDE, IDEA)

Alameda Specific Information

• Alameda Unified School District Special Education Department

  • Special Education, 2060 Challenger Drive, Alameda, CA 94501.

  • Phone: 510-337-7000, ext. 77098 (last verified 3/13/25)

• North Region SELPA (Special Education Local Plan Area)

  • North Region SELPA is a multi-district SELPA located in Northern Alameda County which includes Alameda, Albany, Berkeley, Emery, and Piedmont Unified School Districts.