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Edmonds Special Education Parent Support Group Parent Mentors

 

Overview 

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Edmonds Special Education Parent Support Group Parent Mentors Are:

 

  • Volunteers who will never bill or charge you for any support we provide.

  • Parents of Students with disabilities in the Edmonds School District:

 

  • Who have experience navigating the Special Education process for our own children.

  • Have a positive attitude and outlook on all aspects of the process.

  • Believe that each child has the potential to thrive and be a valuated member of our community.

  • Believe in using positive advocacy to prevent and/or problem solve conflicts whenever possible.

  • Believe that parents are valuable members of the IEP team.

 

  • Whose goals are:

 

  • To help increase access to understanding of the process, resources and community support through mentorship.

  • Assisting parents in preparing to be significant contributors at Individualized Education Program (IEP) Meetings.

  • Helping to prevent and/or problem solve conflict using positive advocacy, whenever possible.

 

Parent Mentors Are not:

 

  • Lawyers or Attorneys

  • Legal Advocates with a business license

  • Doctors or medical professionals

  • Employees or representatives of the Edmonds School District

  • Associated with or endorsed by the Edmonds School District, Edmonds Special Education Leadership Team any public office or organization.

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Parent Mentors Can:

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  • Talk/meet with parents one on one re: parent concerns and/or needs.

  • Provide confidential support to help address parent questions and concerns.

  • Help you to clarify the issues of concern.

  • Share information about personal experience with the process.

  • Explain, using personal experience, the Individual Education Program (IEP) process and the parent’s role in the development of the IEP.

  • Help you interpret and understand Special Education related documents.

  • Help to ensure that parents are aware of the types of Special Education programs available to students.

  • Attend IEP team meetings upon request to take notes.

  • Help to locate medical and educational resources.

 

Parent Mentors Can Not:

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  • Provide legal advice or services

  • Directly intervene between the parent and school teams/employees. 

  • Provide medical advice or services.

  • Determine special education or Edmonds School District policy.

  • Represent the Edmonds School District in any capacity. 

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