Now booking Clients for the 2025-2026 School Year – Get In Touch
The Advocacy Process
How It Works
01
Free Consultation
Fill out our contact form to schedule a free, 20-minute, no-obligation consultation to see if advocacy services are right for you.
02
Submit Paperwork and Pay Deposit
Pay the deposit and submit our contract, release, and intake forms along with copies of any of your child’s records you would like us to review, such as evaluation reports, IEP or 504 plan, progress reports, behavior intervention plans, or incident reports.
03
Record Review and One-Hour Consultation
Verdance Advocacy will review your child’s educational record (or request it from your school when necessary) and schedule a one-hour consultation to discuss your concerns and our recommendations.
04
Create Advocacy Plan
In collaboration, we will develop a plan for advocacy for your child and take the necessary steps to begin executing the plan.
05
Breathe
I’ve got you. I will carry as much of the load as you prefer, from coaching you through communication to managing the meeting–whatever best meets your needs.
06
Ongoing Advocacy
As time goes on we will adapt our plan to your child’s specific needs as they progress through they year, to the next grade, or to transition.
Benefits of Working With an Advocate
Here’s what parents say after working with an advocate:
- "I had no IDEA this was possible!"
- "I was starting to feel Crazy! I'm so relieved."
- "Now we Have the Clarity and COnfidence we Need."
- "We Felt Heard, Cared for, and Reassured."
- "It was Nice Knowing I wasn't Alone in the IEP Meeting."
- "I didn't Realize that my meaningful participation was required."
Record Review and Organization IEP/504 Meeting Support Evaluation/assessment support Dispute Resolution State Complaints Transition Planning
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Special Education Advocate?
A Non-Attorney Special Education Advocate is a professional that has special knowledge of the laws and procedures of special education. Advocates work on behalf of families to help them access and navigate this system so that their child may access a free appropriate public education. A Non-Attorney Special Education Advocate does not practice law or provide legal advice.
What is a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)?
A Free Appropriate Public Education, often referred to as FAPE, is the legal entitlement of children age 3-21, regardless of disability status, to a free education that meets their individual needs in the United States. It may constitute special instruction and/or services to help them access and benefit from their education.
What Is your Experience?
I have been advocacting for children at school for 6 years and I’ve received extensive training from the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates. I am a former RN with experience working as a school nurse. I have two disabled children of my own who have had both IEPs and 504 plans at school. My full resume can be seen here.
Where are you located?
Verdance Advocacy is located in Minneapolis, MN and serves families nation-wide.
How Do I get Started Working with You?
Please start by scheduling a free, 20-minute, no-obligation, consultation call here.
After I Pay the Deposit, What Can I expect in the first four hours?
While each case varies, you can typically expect a full record review (1-2 hours depending on history), a one-hour intake phone call where we will discuss your concerns and our impressions of your child’s records, attendance at an IEP meeting, and a meeting follow up call. Please inquire about your specific case to get a more precise estimate. Verdance Advocacy is always happy to be in communication about estimated billing time.
Is My CHild eligible for an IEP?
Your child’s eligibility depends on whether their disability, which falls under one or more of 13 categories, has an educational impact. This is determined with a Full Individual Evaluation (FIE). The impact is not required to be academic in nature, it may be behavioral, social, etc.
What is an IEP?
IEP stands for Individual Education Plan. It is written by a team made up of school personnel, the parent/guardian of the child, and others with specialized knowledge of the child following an evaluation that indicates a need for specialized instruction and services due to disability. A disability with educational impact can range from dyslexia, ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and hearing impairment, among many others. The plan details the goals for the child’s progress along with specific interventions and accommodations to meet those goals. If you have questions or concerns about your. child’s IEP, please contact me here.