Panel backs shifting burden of proof to school districts in special-education due process After extensive, emotional testimony from parents and advocates about delays, withheld records and high costs, the committee moved HB 342 favorably; the bill would place the burden of proof in IDEA due‑process hearings on local education agencies rather than parents.

A groundbreaking bill could shift the burden of proof in special education disputes from parents to school districts, sparking hope for families facing systemic barriers.

Learn more here!

#LA #LegalReform #ParentAdvocacy #EducationalAccountability #CitizenPortal #LouisianaSpecialEducation

THANK YOU for participating in our VBF Parent Advocacy Network (PAN) Zoom session ❤️

#ThankYou #ParentAdvocacy #ParentSupport #LetsTalk

Join us on Monday, March 23, 2026, for the next VBF Parent Advocacy Network (PAN) Zoom Session, 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT.

Pre-register at this link: birthmark.org/pan/

#ChildLifeSpecialist #VBF #ParentAdvocacy #LetsTalk #VascularAnomalies

Always Pay It Forward A parent advocate’s musings

open.substack.com/pub/drbongia... #blackhistorymonth #intellectualdisabilities #advocacymatters #parentadvocacy

Schoolutions Teaching Strategies Do you need innovative strategies for better classroom management and boosting student engagement? This podcast is your go-to resource for coaches, teachers, administrators, and families seeking to cr...

🧵4/4
🔔 SUBSCRIBE to never miss an episode of Schoolutions Teaching Strategies Podcast:
www.youtube.com/@schoolution...

#ChildDevelopment #ParentingSupport #LearningDifferences #Neurodivergent #EducationMatters #ParentAdvocacy

Schoolutions Teaching Strategies Do you need innovative strategies for better classroom management and boosting student engagement? This podcast is your go-to resource for coaches, teachers, administrators, and families seeking to cr...

🧵3/3
🔔 SUBSCRIBE to never miss an episode of Schoolutions Teaching Strategies Podcast:
www.youtube.com/@schoolution...

#Schoolutions #SchoolutionsPodcast #SchoolutionsTeachingStrategies #ForeverGettingBetter
#SpecialEducation #IEP #InclusiveEducation #ParentAdvocacy #TeacherLife

Committee hears competing views on bill to give parents evaluation reports five school days before IEP meetings House Bill 2557 would require districts to provide parents a copy of evaluation reports at least five school days before eligibility meetings. Parents and advocacy groups backed the change; OSPI and school psychologists warned of implementation challenges and potential strain on existing 35-school-day evaluation timelines.

A heated debate over House Bill 2557 reveals a clash between parent advocates demanding timely access to special education evaluations and school officials warning of potential risks to service quality.

Click to read more!

#WA #EducationPolicy #ParentAdvocacy #FamilyEngagement #CitizenPortal

Advocating for a sick child is exhausting, but sometimes there’s no other choice. If something feels off, keep going. Trust your instincts, find the right doctor, and advocate at school too. You know your child best. #ParentAdvocacy #TrustYourInstincts #MedicalMama #ChronicIllness #LaunchFamily

If you know something is wrong with your child, trust your gut. Being heard matters. Careful watching, follow-up, and respect for parental instinct can save lives. #TrustYourGut #ParentAdvocacy #PediatricCare #ListenToParents #LaunchFamily

Many doctors still believe long COVID is rare in kids, but the data says otherwise. Around 6 million children in the U.S. are affected, making it the most common chronic illness in kids. #LongCOVIDKids #ParentAdvocacy #ChronicIllness #PediatricHealth #LaunchFamily

THANK YOU for participating in tonight's VBF Parent Advocacy Network (PAN) Zoom session ❤️

#ThankYou #ParentAdvocacy #ParentSupport #LetsTalk

Join us on Wednesday January 21, 2026 for the next VBF Parent Advocacy Zoom Network (PAN) Session, 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT.

Pre-register at this link: birthmark.org/pan/

#ChildLifeSpecialist #VBF #ParentAdvocacy #LetsTalk #VascularAnomalies

Events for Families & Carers of Disabled & Vulnerable People Discover our legal clinics & seminars supporting organisations like Brighton & Hove Carers Centre, Amaze & Age UK. Contact us for events or availability!

Care for a young adult with learning disabilities? Our recent #parentCarer #supportgroup raised the difficult topic of... the future. https://ow.ly/cBeT50XTqCu offer free online sessions for #unpaidCarers - sign up now! #SEND #futureplanning #ParentAdvocacy

Join us on Wednesday January 21, 2026 for the next VBF Parent Advocacy Zoom Network (PAN) Session, 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT.

Pre-register at this link: birthmark.org/pan/

#ChildLifeSpecialist #VBF #ParentAdvocacy #LetsTalk #VascularAnomalies

Join us on Wednesday January 21, 2026 for the next VBF Parent Advocacy Zoom Network (PAN) Session, 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT.

Pre-register at this link: birthmark.org/pan/

#ChildLifeSpecialist #VBF #ParentAdvocacy #LetsTalk #VascularAnomalies

Not sure about a diagnosis or treatment plan? We offer thoughtful second opinions with a full-body, full-family lens.

📩 Book Online | https://www.abcdpsychiatry.com/

#SecondOpinion #ParentAdvocacy #FunctionalPsychiatry #ReassessAndThrive #ABCDSupport

If you feel like something is off — trust that. Your gut is your superpower. Everyone may tell you “wait and see,” but if your intuition says don’t wait — don’t. You know your child better than anyone else. Your instincts are a guide — and you are your child’s best advocate. #ParentAdvocacy

One of the biggest mistakes parents make when advocating is not asking enough questions. Professionals are valuable — but YOU are the expert on your child. Ask for clarity. Push when needed. Don’t accept services you don’t understand. #ParentAdvocacy #YourVoiceMatters #AskQuestions #ParentingSupport

Setting boundaries with grandparents is part of protecting your child. Yes, they raised you — but you are the expert on your child today. Stand your ground with love. Their feelings aren’t more important than your child’s safety or regulation. #ParentAdvocacy #ParentingSupport #ModernParenting

Tomorrow: The questions every parent should ask before consenting to a dyslexia evaluation. The ones that reveal whether it’s a true disability—or a teaching failure.
#ParentAdvocacy #Dyslexia #SpecialEducation #IEP #ParentRights

Myth: “If the school doesn’t mention an issue, it must not be important.”
Fact: Parents can bring up any concern at any time—your voice matters in every part of the process.

You are a powerful advocate. 🌟

#MythVsFact #IEPTruths #ParentAdvocacy #NeurodiversityAwareness #2EmptyChairs

The Literacy Lie: Why Your “Passing” Student Can’t Actually Read Report cards show success. National tests show catastrophe. Someone’s lying—and your child’s future is the cost.

Reading isn't a learning style. It's a neurological process. Teaching it like art instead of science failed millions of children. New article on the literacy lie hiding behind passing grades: open.substack.com/pub/theparen...
#ReadingCrisis #ScienceOfReading #ParentAdvocacy #EducationReform

Parents: Tips for advocating with your gifted students teachers for their needs. Also great skills for your gifted child so they can advocate for themselves.

For more information visit our website:
iowatag.org/Resources_fo...

#giftededucation #parentadvocacy #studentadvocacy

📢 Join us tonight from 6:00–7:00 PM PDT for Let’s Talk Education: Special Education 101 & The Teacher Shortage — What It Means for YOUR Child’s IEP.

#LetsTalkEducation #SpecialEducation101 #TeacherShortage #IEP #ParentAdvocacy #EducationMatters #SupportOurStudents

Protect Your Child’s Rights: A Simple Guide for Families This week we have a guest post by Mary Jane Williams from Bridges to Possibilities. Big changes are happening in the Department of Education. When this happens, families of kids with disabilities feel the impact fast. With less oversight, schools may have less direction. This can cause confusion and conflict. But this is when families become the strongest advocates in the room.

Tag a parent who wants to protect their child’s rights!

Don’t miss new posts—sign up for our mailing list at bit.ly/SAN-Signup

#IDD #Neurodiversity #SelfAdvocacy #SpecialEducation #ParentAdvocacy #DisabilityRights

Parents-

The school year is in full swing and parent/teacher conferences are upon us. Here are some tips to help you advocate for your gifted student.

#giftededucation #parentadvocacy

The presentation is based on the Practice Guide: Creating & Managing a Parent Advocacy Programme, developed under CASCADE, & written by David Tobis and Clive Diaz, with input from two parent advisory groups.

Everyone who attends will receive a free copy of the Practice Guide.

#ParentAdvocacy (2/3)

Image that says, "MiPAAC @ 5 Years: Advocacy in Action October 2025 Celebrating five years of grassroots power, impact, and systems change for students with disabilities." In background in a faded image of books and a clock alongside the Michigan Parent, Advocate & Attorney Coalition (MiPAAC) and Wrightslaw logos.

As #MiPAAC marks its 5th anniversary, we’re proud to continue advancing knowledge, connection, and collective action to strengthen Michigan’s education system and uphold every student’s right to a free and appropriate public education.

#AdvocacyInAction #EducationEquity
#ParentAdvocacy

📣 All attendees will also receive a free copy of the Practice Guide: Creating and Managing a Parent Advocacy Programme.

Sign up today: buff.ly/7gkceN1

#SocialCare #ParentAdvocacy | @mg852to44.bsky.social | @cascaderesearch.bsky.social | @nyasservices.bsky.social | @basw-uk.bsky.social

📣 We're also delighted to be joined by Kar Man Au for this webinar.

Kar Man Au will speak from the perspective of both a parent advocate and someone supporting a local authority in setting up and delivering a parental advocacy service.

#ParentAdvocacy (1/2)