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Office presentation icon Diane Willcutts Session 4.3 - Presentation.ppt

Presenters:

Candace Cortiella, The Advocacy Institute, Marshall, VA 
Jamie Ruppmann, TASH, Baltimore, MD 
Diane Willcutts, DLK Consulting, Hartford, CT 

This presentation will explore the various roles that independent special education advocates might play in facilitated IEPs. While traditionally considered to be a resource primarily for the parents, effective special education advocates frequently act as a resource to both parent and school staff, seeking to mitigate the anxiety, distrust and hostility that can be part of the IEP process. As a result, special education advocates are ideal candidates to be trained as independent IEP facilitators. Utilizing special education advocates as independent IEP facilitators can provide the IEP team with a more neutral, objective perspective that school employees and parents may find difficult. Additionally, special education advocates can play an integral role in preparing family members to knowledgeably and collaboratively participate in the FIEP meeting.

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