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"I believe is everyone's responsibility, to be honest, that we're all citizens and we need to take care of each other. This is not one person's battle. It's a group effort."
-Paul Korpela, Parent
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Advocate: Minnesota has become very progressive in recent years due to collaborative advocacy. Each touch point of advocacy is another step towards progress. Advocacy in school, civil rights, bullying, legislation, housing, healthcare...the list goes on and on. The progress we are blessed with today is thanks to parents and professionals before us who advocated for those opportunities. Your advocacy for your child also makes it easier for other children. If all of us kept this in mind, we all can make a huge impact in our community.
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​"I can assure you there is no more powerful advocate for children than a parent armed with information and options." Dr. Rod Paige, U.S. Secretary of Education (2001-2005)
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No matter who you work with, you are your child's best advocate because you know them better than anyone. Take the time to learn all you can to be the voice for your child. Keep a close watch on the community events for free webinars and workshops coordinated by local experts to learn critical information you'll need to be strong advocate.
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Allies for Advocating in Education
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A Day in Our Shoes is a website started by Lisa Lightner in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She sends very informative emails about IEP's and Parent Advocacy.
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ARC of Lehigh and Northampton County
Where: 2289 Ave A, Bethlehem, PA 18017
Call: (610) 849-8076
Download this ARC Power Point presentation on advocating for legislation.
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Pennsylvania Education For All Coalition PEAC
Call: (267) 232 – 0570
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The Peal Center
Call: 215-567-6143
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Get involved virtually (see community events to find upcoming meetings):
IU21 Educational Task Force
Our mission is to support families in understanding the laws and regulations that affect their special needs student’s rights. We help those with disabilities and their caregivers find resources to effect positive changes in their lives. Learn about what's happening in Lehigh County school districts, learn great information from speakers and collaborate with other parents.
Where: 4210 Independence Drive, Schnecksville, PA 18078
Call: 610-769-4111
Website
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IU20 Educational Task Force
The Right to Education Local Task Force 20 serves as a resource for children with all disabilities and their families in 13 school districts in Northampton, Monroe, and Pike County.The role of the Right to Education Local Task Force 20 is to assist parents of students with special needs in understanding the laws/regulations that affect their rights and help develop an appropriate education for the student with special needs.
Where: 6 Danforth Drive, Easton, PA 18045
Call: (610) 252-5550
Website
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HUNE provides free bi-lingual (English and Spanish) programs, supports, and services on all aspects of special education.
Call: 215-425-6203
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Catherine Whitcher, M.Ed-Offers IEP training program for parents.
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Special Education Consult Line (A service of the PA Department of Education, Bureau of Special education, Division of Compliance) is a toll-free information help line for parents of children with disabilities and advocates who have questions or concerns about the education of a school-aged child. ConsultLine specialists answer questions and provide information about special education, gifted education, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
The ConsultLine specialists can:
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Describe the processes involved in having a child evaluated and provided special education, classroom accommodations and related services;
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Explain the procedural safeguards (parents’ rights) available to parents of students with disabilities;
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Provide information about, access to, and assistance with the formal complaint process;
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Discuss options for addressing concerns or disagreements about the child’s special education program; and
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Provide callers with other useful resources and informational materials
Call: In Pennsylvania: 1-800-879-2301 (Toll-Free)
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​Education Law Center (ELC)
The Education Law Center is a private, not-for-profit public interest law firm that advocates for the rights of public school students. ELC helps families of school-age youth needed support and information on legal rights concerning accommodations and the special education process.
Where: 1315 Walnut St, 4th Floor, Suite 400, Philadelphia, PA 19107
Call: 215-238-6970
Website: www.elc-pa.org
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Allies for Advocating for Behavioral Rights
​Become a Behavorial Advocate If you've seen the Lives in the Balance documentary film, The Kids We Lose, then you know the current system is difficult for kids with social, emotional, and behavioral challenges. And it creates a ripple effect for families, educators, mental health professionals, staff in facilities and even law enforcement professionals. It takes everyone involved to facilitate the changes in lenses, practices, structures, and systems that are needed to end the counterproductive, punitive practices -- detentions, suspensions, expulsions, paddling, restraint, and seclusion -- that are often applied to these kids even as early as Kindergarten and that propel them down the pipeline to prison.
Allies for Advocating for Civil Rights
The Disability Rights Pennsylvania advances, protects, and advocates for the human, civil, and legal rights of Pennsylvanians with disabilities.
Where: 301 Chestnut St., Suite 300, Harrisburg, PA 17101
Call: 1-800-692-7443
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Pennsylvania Health Law Project offers free legal advice to low-income people with insurance problems.
Where: 123 Chestnut St #400, Philadelphia, PA 19106
Call: (215) 625-3990
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When you need an attorney:
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​Batchis Nestle & Reimann LLC
Where: 7 Bala Avenue, Suite 202, Bala Cynwyd, PA
Call: 215-550-1760
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Tanya Alvarado
Where: Two Bala Plaza, Suite 300, Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania 19004
Call: (610) 757-7008
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Elizabeth Kapo
Where: 2123 Pinehurst Rd, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania 18018
Call: (610) 758-9800
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Raffaele & Associates LLC
Where: 1230 County Line Rd, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
Call: (610) 922-4200
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McAndrews Law Offices, P.C.
​Where: 404 North Washington Avenue Suite 310 Scranton, PA 18503
Call: 570-969-1817
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