If your child has a 1:1 aide written into their IEP, the school is responsible for providing that aide, including a substitute aide if their normal aide is absent.

What if the school doesn't provide my child with a 1:1 aide even though it's in the IEP?

If your child meets the eligibility criteria, you can provide the caseworker with a copy of All County Letter 17-42.

Can I get IHSS hours for bringing my child to a medical appointment?

Waiver Care Personal Service (WCPS) hours may be available if your child already receives the maximum IHSS hours and still needs in-home care.

What are Waiver Care Personal Service (WCPS) hours?

In the past, parents were prevented from becoming their child's IHSS parent provider if they worked full-time. However, that policy has changed.

Can I be my child's IHSS provider if I work full-time?

Call Medi-Cal Health Care Options to talk with a representative about your options for switching.

Can I switch my Medi-Cal managed care plan?

You can cancel private insurance and keep Medi-Cal only if you are currently paying premiums for the child’s primary insurance.

Can I drop private insurance and just use Medi-Cal for my child?

The Emergency Circumstances Plan included in your child’s IEP most likely says that academics and services will be provided virtually.

What if my child's school is closed due to a natural disaster?

Every parent familiar with augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) knows that finding the right program or device for their child — not to mention learning to use it! — can be a long journey. During our live event, the dream team of Undivided parent Lelah, RN, and speech-language pathologist Ali Steers gave us the ins and outs of living the AAC life.


Navigating AAC with SLP Ali Steers & Undivided Parent Lelah | Unite & Conquer

You can choose to wait until the next year or your child is a little older. The next time you apply, you have to show that the situation is worse.

If my appeal for protective supervision is denied, how long before I can apply again?

You need to prove that your child needs more care than what a typically developing child needs. Be sure to document everything. 

Can I get IHSS paramedical services for a child under 5 years old?

Regional Center services have to be reauthorized every year. You can sign your child's IPP in agreement or disagreement.

What if you don't sign the IPP? Does an IPP have "stay put" like an IEP does? 

Non-self-direction is an inability for individuals to assess danger and the risk of harm, and thus engage in potentially dangerous activities that may cause self-harm.

What does self-directed behavior mean for IHSS protective supervision?

Special Education Services and Individualized Education Programs

Learn about special education services, everything you need to know about IEPs, and how to advocate for the services and supports your child needs.

Education and IEPs

Insurance Options for Parents of Kids with Disabilities

Whether you’re using private insurance or public benefits like Medi-Cal or a combination of the two, get tips on how to fund the supports and services your child needs.

Insurance

What to Do When Your Child Has Received a New Diagnosis

Has your child received a new diagnosis? Are you concerned about a developmental delay? Check out these resources to help you navigate medical services, funding, and more.

New Diagnosis

Public Benefits - Government Programs for Children with Disabilities

Depending on your income, your child’s age and diagnosis, and other factors, there are a variety of government programs available to you.

Public Benefits

Mental Health

Learn how to help your child manage stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges with these resources from therapists and other experts.

Financially Supporting Your Child With Disabilities into Adulthood

Check out our resources to help plan your child's transition into adulthood and set them up for success.

Future and Financial Planning

Family Life - Advice for Parenting Children with Disabilities

Parenting a child with disabilities comes with unique joys and challenges. Learn how to meet your family's diverse needs and how to talk about disability together.

Family Life

Self-Care for Parents Raising Children With Disabilities

Raising a child with disabilities can place a lot of demands on parents. Check in with your own mental and physical health needs through these resources.

Self-Care for Parents

If you disagree with what your school presents in the IEP or how the IEP is implemented, follow this guide to learn about your options for addressing the issue.

File for due process

Find an education attorney

Prepare a compensatory education request

Resolve a dispute with my IEP team

Many parents wonder if they need to set up a conservatorship for their child. There are actually multiple ways to stay involved in your child's decision-making in adulthood depending on the level of support they need.

Learn how to set up a conservatorship for my child

Plan for my child's financial future

Prepare my child for the transition to adulthood

Explore alternatives to conservatorship

The school has a duty to protect children with disabilities from bullying. Learn about how to hold the school responsible for responding and prevent further bullying.

Address my child's school refusal or avoidance

Support my child’s mental and emotional health

Address school bullying

The school's broad emergency plan may not be suitable for your child. Learn how to work with your IEP team to develop a safety plan that supports your child's individual needs.

Create an All About Me page for my child

Request an Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting

Add an emergency plan to my child’s IEP

If your child experiences anxiety about school, leaves early, or avoids going entirely, this guide will help you explore potential solutions with your IEP team.

Be an advocate within the school system

My Homeschool Specialist

Write my child's school health plan

A financial management service (FMS) is an independent agency that helps SDP participants use their budget to pay for services, taxes, and insurance. Participants choose the level of involvement they want from the FMS. The FMS can also run background checks on staff and keep track of spending.

Prepare for annual Individualized Program Plan (IPP) meeting

Include Undivided membership in a Self-Determination Program plan

Find an Independent Facilitator

Explore Regional Center services

Select an FMS for the Self-Determination Program

Regional Center

Regional Center Early Intervention (Ages 0–3)

Self-Determination Program

Medi-Cal

IHSS: In-Home Supportive Services

Other Public Funding Sources

IEP: Individualized Education Program

IEP Meeting Preparation

Preschool IEP

IEP Assessments

Strength-Based IEP Goals

Educational Accommodations, Modifications, and Curriculum

Educational Transitions

Learning At Home

Educational Placement

Educational Inclusion

Parenting

Camps and Travel

Supporting Therapies and Education at Home

Disability Culture and Advocacy

Private Insurance

Public Insurance Programs

Mental Health In Children with Disabilities

Therapies

Education-Based Therapies

Behavioral Intervention Therapies

Funding Sources For Therapies

AAC: Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Therapy at Home

504 Educational Plans

Medical

Therapies (Ages 0-3)

IEP-Related Services

After the IEP

How does private insurance work with public benefits like Medi-Cal, Regional Center, and California Children’s Services? Learn how to use all of the resources your child is eligible for.

Troubleshooting Common Issues with Public and Private Health Plans

Planning for their transition to adulthood is a vital piece to laying out what comes next. Learn about high school IEPs, ITPs, diplomas, the Department of Rehabilitation, and more.

12 Frequently Asked Questions about High School IEPs and the Transition to Adulthood

When you check in with your IEP team at the start of the year, some common concerns may come up. Get tips from Undivided's education advocate for resolving IEP issues.

Troubleshoot These 9 Common IEP Concerns

The Undivided Unite and Conquer series brings parents and specialists together to talk through and problem-solve issues. Undivided parent Leeza sat down with Education Advocate Lisa Carey to talk about parent amendments to IEPs and the Least-Restrictive Environment (LRE). They also discussed what happens if you need to pull back on some of the goals and services in your child’s IEP and how to ensure you get those services back.

Individualized Education Plan Strategies and Least Restrictive Environment | Unite and Conquer

Many parents feel frustrated by IEP (individualized education plan) assessments, especially when standardized tests fail to capture the full picture for children with complex needs. Join Lucia Serio, LEP NCSP, owner of Bookworm Educational and Psychological Services, as she explores dynamic assessment—an interactive, strength-focused approach that highlights how children learn over time and their potential for growth.


Undivided Conversations: Dynamic Assessment

Get information about how to stay safe and connect with our community due to fires in the Los Angeles area.

Los Angeles Area Fires - Emergency Resources and Updates

Here are some red flags to watch for in the IEP meeting and how to handle them, so you can be confident that you’re doing everything you can for your child’s education.

14 Red Flags in the IEP – and What to Do about Them

Know what paperwork to file so that you can stay legally involved in your child’s schooling, finances, medical decisions, and other important aspects of their life.