1. Non-Adversarial Advocacy with the School System
Meghan Burke

2. Overview of this Presentation
Top 8 strategies for non-adversarial advocacy

3. 1. Document Use the “cc” (carbon copy) to other agencies
Give a deadline for a response
Send copies to appropriate officials when appropriate
Hand deliver with a signature or send return/receipt requested
Follow up phone and in-person visits

4. 2. Fluffy but meaningful letter
Dear_____, Thank you for meeting with me on ____. I would like to follow up to ensure that I understood what was discussed. You contacted me on ___ to discuss ___. On ____ date, we discussed _____. We came to the following conclusion____. Thank you again for speaking with me. I am looking forward to working with you on this. If I misunderstood any of this, please let me know within five days (by ____) otherwise I am going to consider this to be true.

5. Effective advocacy is…
Identifying the problem
Identifying the responsible agency
Identifying obstacles and possible solutions
Creating a plan of action

6. 3. Identifying the responsible agency
Be sure to separate the problem from the people
Don’t attack the people at the table; instead, focus on the issue at hand
Put yourself in their shoes and consider the reasons behind their opinions
Acknowledge that you heard their opinions
Can I ask you a few questions about that?
Let me check to see if I understand what you are saying.
I understand what you are saying.
I understand your concerns.

7. 4. Identifying obstacles and possible solutions
Have multiple solutions to choose from
Actively involve everyone in the solutions to increase ownership
Show how the solutions stem from others’ input
Look at others’ interests:
Are they legitimate (if so, address them)

8. 5. Parent Input Statements
Identify the topic issues that you want to discuss at the IEP meeting
Note the supporting evidence for each topic
Relate it back to relevant caselaw, regulations, and rules
Make a case as to why this is necessary for your child to retain FAPE

9. 6. Bring someone to your meeting…
Parents should always have someone else (e.g. husband, advocate, friend, etc.) attend the meeting with them
Parents have sole discretion to determine whether the individuals meet the requirement for having knowledge or special expertise regarding the child ( e)

10. 7. Taking Breaks Taking breaks at the meeting when emotions rise
Postpone and reschedule the meeting if necessary

11. 8. Food
Everyone is happier when they are eating!