PARENT & ADVOCATE TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

Through the Autism Education and Training Center, Inc. (www.aetcinc.org):

Sheila A. Wolfe, Special Education Advocate & Executive Director, AETC

Catherine Michael, Special Education Attorney

   We are announcing a 3 tiered training program to train parents, and professional advocates to provide competent support and assistance in designing and implementing special education programs to serve the needs of students with disabilities.

TIER 1 AWARE

At this level, general training was originally provided through a series of "live" seminars on various topics: IEP 101, Understanding Assessments, Behavior Issues, Components of an Appropriate IEP, Appropriate Levels of Special Education and Related Services, Hot Topics (ESY, transition etc.), Administrative Remedies, Best Practices & RTI. The seminars (at all levels) will be available via Webinar following the "live" presentation for those who could not attend in person (coming in 2011). Following the training, an online review and assessment will be required in order to "pass" each level of training. A small fee will be charged by the AETC for these sessions. At the completion of this level, the trainee will have general knowledge about the right to special education and the services that are available to a child with special needs, but they will not have the training necessary to effectively advocate. The AETC considers this to be the minimum level of training necessary for all parents of a child with special needs. COST $25 ea. There are 8 sessions in Tier One.

TIER 2 INFORMED

At this level, the trainee will receive a much more in-depth education regarding Special Education Law (Article 7 and IDEIA) as well as a more complete understanding of the elements of an appropriate IEP. The sessions in this tier include: Writing Appropriate FBAs and BIPs, The Bell Curve (Understanding Progress), Filing State Complaints, IEP 201 (Appropriate Content), Social Skill Instruction, Transition Planning, Specific Learning Disabilities, and Assistive Technology. This training will be delivered through live seminars and then produced as webinars for those who would like to download and take the training at home (coming in 2011). Again, evaluations will be given at this level to assess the trainees understanding and mastery of the information presented. A small fee will be charged for each of the eight sessions in Tier 2. At the completion of this level, the trainee will have the training necessary to manage the IEP of a child with special needs effectively; however, they will still not have the skills to be a professional advocate. COST $28 ea. There are 8 sessions in Tier Two.

TIER 3 EMPOWERED

At this level, the trainee will receive additional training on special education law including 504 plans, The Americans with Disabilities Act, Due Process and the line between an Advocate's role and the Attorney's role. Each advocate in training will also gain experience reviewing and evaluating a client's file and shadowing a professional advocate at case conferences. Trainees will also learn conflict resolution techniques to increase their effectiveness during Case Conference meetings. Classes and seminars will be conducted in person and/or online at this level. At the completion of this level, the trainee will be presented with an actual case. This case study will be evaluated by Catherine Michael and Sheila Wolfe as part of the assessment process. Based on the outcome of that exercise, the trainee will receive their certification as a qualified Special Education Advocate, but will remain under a probationary period for 12 months while they receive mentoring and support from Catherine and Sheila. If the Advocate receives a positive recommendation following this probationary period, they will receive full certification and will be required to complete annual continuing education in order to be re-certified each year through the AETC. It needs to be understood that not all participants at this level will be recommended for full certification. COST $50 ea. There are 10 sessions in Tier Three.

     In addition to the training, certified Special Education Advocates will agree to an appropriate fee structure for their services prior to receiving certification. Without an appropriate structure in the past, some Advocates have charged families as much as many attorneys for their services. The AETC does not feel this is appropriate and will work to help regulate Advocate fees as well as the quality of Advocate services in Indiana through this program. For details email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .