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P.A.L.
(Parent Advocate Liaison) *
Introducing
our latest program – P. A. L. (Parent Advisory Liaison)
Thank
you letter from Autism Society of America, Santa Barbara Chapter
Next
PAL
training TBA.
The
program’s goal is to educate parents in the IEP process
towards achieving a more meaningful IEP.
Participants in the program who complete the IEP training
will receive a certificate of completion and the opportunity
to be registered as a PAL on the A2Z website. As a PAL you
would be eligible to attend IEP meetings with other parents
for a fee. Parents would contact you directly to engage your
services. The suggested fee for a PAL at an IEP attendance
could be as much as $150.
Pal
Training is for groups of 10 or more. Arrangements can be
made by calling our office at 888-433-2232.
This will be a nuts and bolts program. You
will be taken through the IEP process, given practical tips
and resources to ensure that your IEP will reflect your best
for your child. The following materials will
be handed out that will support your input into the actual
IEP meeting.
1. Sample
Letters (Request for Records, Assessments, IEP)
2. Sample IEP Meeting
Agenda
3. Tips to a More Efficient IEP
4. IEP Planner
5. IEP Requirements (Team Members, Content) and Checklist
6. Writing Goals, Checklists and Modifications
7. California Content Standards - 3rd grade sample
8. Independent Education Evaluations
9. Glossary (Terms and Abbreviations)
10. Helpful Resources and Websites
Although
this program would hope to assist you in receiving all the
services to which your child is entitled it is understood
that each IEP is made up of individuals from different school
districts with varying backgrounds and expertise. Therefore,
the participants will determine the actual result of the IEP.
However, a proper IEP is the basis for possible success at
the due process level.
Parents and therapists working with special needs children,
who wish to take the program for their own personal education
are also encouraged to attend.
Sample
IEP Meeting Agenda
ABCs
of Parent Empowerment for IEP Meetings
"The
A2Z P.A.L. Program gave me the resources and confidence to
meld my life experiences into a successful career that works
around the rest of my life."
Jeri Suchand - single mother of a child with Asperger's Syndrome
I wanted
to thank all of you for the wonderful training experience
on Saturday. Not only was it extremely helpful on
both a personal and a professional level, but it truly confirmed
my choice of career paths. It was really exciting to
see how fulfilling your careers are. My favorite part
of the day was went we got to meet the children and share
their scenes with them! They were amazing! I really look forward
to helping out with your upcoming projects.
Sincerely,
Erica Willis
P.A.L.
(Parent Advocate Liason) * |
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| JULIE
CONSTANTINIDES |
|
jewelofsb@yahoo.com |
| Julie
is the mother of an eleven year old diagnosed with aspergers
and epilepsy. Currently, she is finishing nursing school.
Julie is willing to go to Santa Barbara and Goleta as
a PAL. |
| MARIE
JACKSON |
805-735-1171 |
mike_marie_jackson@bigfoot.com |
| Marie
is an involved parent of two children, a six year old
who was diagnosed with autism in 2004, and a four year
old. She has been a very active parent advocate. Marie
is able to travel to Northern Santa Barbara County, Santa
Maria and Lompoc as a PAL. |
| ELAINE
JONES-MCKABA |
|
elainemckaba@cox.net |
| Elaine
is the mother of a seven year old boy with autism who
is currently mainstreamed in a public charter school.
Elaine is able to travel throughout Santa Barbara County,
South Santa Barbara, Carpenteria, Goleta and Montecito
as a PAL. |
| SANDY
SHOVE |
805-682-9941 |
sdshove@cox.net |
| Sandy
has been a professional educator for thirteen years. For
the last five years she has been an “autism mom”
and now she would like to help other parents learn to
access the services their kids need in order to succeed.
Sandy is willing to travel throughout the greater Santa
Barbara area, from Carpinteria to Goleta, as a PAL. |
| MARCIA
EICHELBERGER |
|
mardere@aol.com |
| Marcia
is the mother of a 12 year old son with autism and a 7
year old neurotypical daughter. She has been a tireless
volunteer in the field of developmental disabilities since
1995 when her son was diagnosed with autism. She is a
Founding Member and Co-President of the Autism Society
of America, Santa Barbara Chapter, and also serves as
Chair of Area Board IX for Developmental Disabilities
for the Tri-Counties area. Currently, Marcia is a parent
representative on the Santa Barbara School District Special
Education Advisory Council, Co-Chair of the Tri-Counties
Autism Task Force Diagnosis Sub Committee, and a member
of the Goleta Valley Jr. High site council. In 2003, Marcia
was honored with the Child Friendly Award by the county
of Santa Barbara and Kids Network in recognition of her
outstanding service to children of Santa Barbara County.
Marcia is able to travel in the greater Santa Barbara
area, including Goleta, Montecito, Carpinteria and the
Santa Ynez Valley, as a PAL. |
| Denise
Bonder |
310-459-7565 |
dbonder@adelphia.net |
|
In
1997 our oldest daughter was diagnosed with a visual
processing learning disability and ADHD. Like many others
we started on a journey of seeking information and services
that would provide our daughter with opportunities often
denied to children with special needs. Over the years
we have been able to get successful results in obtaining
services and accommodations for our daughter through
IEP’s, Mediation, and Due Process Hearings. I would
now like to share some of our success with other parents
to eliminate the all too familiar fears and frustrations
of getting a child’s needs met in the public school
system.
I
am available to attend IEP's within a 20 mile radius
of Pacific Palisades. I can be reached in the evenings
at 310-459-7565 or dbonder@adelphia.net.
|
| Rhiannon
Leleiona Pregitzer |
|
Rhiannon.Pregitzer@pepperdine.edu |
| Jeri
Suchand |
888-433-2232
310-592-8902 |
momsturn2@msn.com |
| Mom
of special needs Daughter (Asperger's -10.5 years old,
Village Glen West Student). Access to numerous contacts
and extensive involvement in special needs community.
Successful in all mediation cases to date. Work mainly
in County of Los Angeles, but will consider Orange and
Ventura Counties. References available. |
| Lori
Ruhman |
|
gwtw424@aol.com |
| Born
and Raised in LA. B.A. from UCLA. Lived all over country
as an Army wife. Have two children, son & daughter.
My 12-year-old son has ADHD, Asperger’s syndrome,
learning disabilities. I’ve shared my experiences
battling the schools & LAUSD with my friends &
acquaintances from his schools. Parents don’t need
the extra stress of not understanding the process of getting
help for their kids. I hope to help as many parents as
possible to relax and understand what they’re going
through. Willing to go within a 1 hour drive from West
L.A. |
| Jenny
Marie Vice |
|
Jenny.Vice@pepperdine.edu |
| Erica
Willis |
818-832-3084
818-371-3197 |
ericastenta@hotmail.com |
| I'm
currently a Pepperdine law student graduating in December
with an interest in Special Education law. I'm also a
wife and the mother of 2 kids. I'm interested in being
a PAL to people in the San Fernando Valley area. |
| *
PAL's are not employees of A2Z and are not authorized
to practice law or offer legal advice. Any advice you
receive from the PAL is not neccessarily the advice that
would be rendered by an attorney. You must contact the
PAL directly and retain and pay the PAL personally. PAL's
bill at $25 per hour. The average cost of attending an
IEP with a PAL would be $100 for the 4-hour IEP and 2
hours, or $50 for a meeting prior to the IEP. |
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