The TWIGS Parent AdvocateTraining
The TWIGS is an elite group of well trained parents whose primary purpose is to get the school system to provide their children who have special needs, with the services they need, and deserve, under the law.
There is an Aesop’s Fable that tells the story of an old man and his young sons. The sons kept getting beaten down by other people. So the old man told each of his sons to pick up a twig. Then he told them to break the twig. The sons did what they were told and each twig broke quite easily. Then the old man asked each son to grab a bunch of twigs and bundle them together. The sons did so, but when they tried to break the bundle of twigs like their father had instructed, they could not.
The Lesson: One twig is easily broken; a bundle of twigs is not. One parent can easily feel intimidated; a group of educated parents cannot.
THE PROGRAM: This one-of-a-kind program - there is nothing else like it in the country - is a comprehensive, eight month long, intensive training program for parents of, or people who work with, children with special needs. The goal is to train parents in all aspects of special education as it relates to their own child’s education. Once trained, these advocates can advocate more effectively for their own children and other families.
Sessions focus on specific topics including: Special education law, legal rights of parents, how to write an IEP, Response to Intervention, strategies for successful IEP meetings, Least Restrictive Environment, behavior plans, evaluations and testing, writing and tracking goals, assistive technology, the McKay Scholarship and more.
THE BENEFITS: As a participant in this exclusive training, you will learn:
· Increased self-confidence in asking for services
· Make sure the school is playing by the rules
· Strategies to be more successful in IEP meetings
· How to ask for changes to the IEP
· What your rights are under the law
· How to prepare for an IEP meeting
· How far to push and when to stop
· Be a stronger advocate for your child
· The power of working with other parents
· And so much more!
THE COMMITMENT: Attend eight training sessions, one Saturday per month, from 8:00 to 2:00 p.m. Training starts in September and runs through May. There is no training in December. Attend three IEP meetings: One for your child plus two IEP meetings with other parents. Training dates: 9-18-10 / 10-09-10 / 11-13-10
1-08-11 / 2-12-11 / 3-5-11 / 4-9-11 / 5-14-11
THE COST: $600 per person for the eight month program including training by instructors, manuals, booklets, checklists, sample forms, and numerous other materials. The cost of lunch on Saturdays is not included. Payment plans are available.
THE LOCATION: All training sessions will be held in Faith Hall at First Baptist Orlando, 3300 S. John Young Pkwy., Orlando, FL 32805.
Contact: Pam Lindemann at 407-342-9836
Testimonials From Recent Graduates…
“If you have a child with special needs, this is a class you cannot afford not to take.”
“Through this course I learned to have power and confidence to advocate for my child and help other parents.”
“The experience of ….learning more about the strategies used to more adequately prepare, has helped me feel and believe in my abilities to advocate…All of it has been worthwhile.”
“You will end up knowing more than the IEP members of any school, in any county of Florida.”
“I have become a better parent, a stronger woman and a resource for our community. The networking resources I have acquired through this TWIGS experience have become a great asset.”
“If you take this course you will learn so much. Even if you believe you know everything, you don’t and this class is extremely helpful and a learning experience.”
“I now have a clear picture of how the whole IEP process works. Just for health and sanity, this is a great class to lower anxiety, depression, anger, resentment and give you power and hope.”
“Empowerment and knowledge…the information presented gave me the confidence and understanding of the law to effectively advocate and engage my daughter’s IEP team to create a truly Individualized Education Plan.”
“The information offered by this course can change your child’s future. When you understand the law, the importance of comprehensive testing, and how they affect how your child learns, you will have the keys to unlock your child’s educational success.”
“This training has been fantastic! I have become a stronger advocate for my child. Feeling the power of sharing and not being alone, it has been so wonderful!”
“Considering how much time and money you will end up spending/wasting during your child’s lifetime, this is the best thing you can do for you and your child. You could waste years of your child’s life fighting and not getting anywhere, but with the right knowledge, you can be so much more effective.”
Copyright 2010, The IEP Advocate, Inc. All rights reserved.
