When you have behavioral or medical safety concerns, make sure you document them. (As parent Melissa A. commented during our live event, “Get it in writing!!!”) Before your IEP meeting, draft a letter to the school about your concerns and ask that it be included in your child’s file.
Then, during the IEP meeting, you and your IEP team can write down what the teacher and other staff members should do to prevent those dangers from occurring as well as how staff needs to handle issues if they come up. In this clip, Lisa offers some examples of safety concerns and how the IEP should address them.
When Lisa recommended that parents bring a friend or advocate to the IEP meeting, Zara L. asked, “Are there free advocates anywhere?”
Evy A. responded, “You can request an advocate from Regional Center.” Lisa agreed, “Yes, ask RC! I know RC case workers will attend, but they usually never speak and just take notes. You can also put an Education Advocate in your spending plan for Self-Determination if you are doing SDP.”
Undivided's education advocate Lisa Carey said, "Honestly? You can’t know until you try. It is important to make sure the best possible supports are set up in advance so that your child has the best possible chance to thrive."
