Individual Consultations

Our Parent Consultants are trained and experienced individuals, often parents of children with special needs themselves, who provide one-to-one support to parents, relative caregivers and professionals on the phone, by email, or in person by appointment.

We assist you over the phone, by email, or in person.

Parent Consultants help families of children with disabilities or special needs to:

• Better understand their special needs or disability
• Learn about programs, services and community resources
• Understand parental rights and options concerning special education and related services
• Prepare for IEP or other school meetings
• Find solutions to problems and concerns
• Communicate effectively with schools, service providers and policy makers
• Link with other parents for kinship and support

Before you call

Before you call us, you may want to check the Frequently Asked Questionspage where your question may be already answered.

Send an email

If you would like to contact us by email, please keep in mind that email is best for general questions. If you have specific or multiple concerns about your child’s education and school, it is easier for us to consult with you by phone.

About your phone call

• When you contact us, we will ask you to give us personal information and a brief description of your question or concern.
• One of our Parent Consultants will return your call, or email within a reasonable time frame. On occasions such as at the beginning of the school year, or when we experience staff shortages, we may not be able to repond to your inquiry. We will ask you give us your contact information so that we may get in touch with you when our call and email volume lightens up.
• Our Parent Consultant will ask you specific questions relating to your concern or issue and may ask you to send supporting information such as your child’s IEP, recent evaluations, etc...
• Our Parent Consultant will offer you strategies and resources to help resolve your issue and follow-up with you to ensure that they were of help to you and to ensure you need no further assistance.

• Our Parent Consultants are neither case managers nor personal advocates. They strive to empower parents to become their child's own informed and effective advocate.

• Our Parent Consultants do not routinely attend IEP or other school meetings with families. However, they will help parents prepare for meetings by giving them the information and skills necessary to successfully secure the services their children are entitled to receive.

Confidentiality

All information you share with us is confidential and is never shared, unless we ask for your permission.