IEP Workshop September 14, 2009

Huntington Learning Center Helping Parents with an IEP
Celebrate Differences is proud to partner with the Oswego Huntington Learning Center to assist the families of kids with special needs. The two organizations are working together to help parents learn how to better advocate for their children. Huntington’s six week “From Emotions to Advocacy” workshop, based on the book by Pam and Pete Wright, will teach parents effective advocacy skills. More specifically parents will learn how to organize their child's file, work with consultants and evaluators, write SMART IEP goals and objectives, write effective letters and create paper trails and more.
“I think parents want to advocate for their child but hold back for different reasons. Parents are often intimidated by the whole IEP process. As a parent of a special needs child, we represent their interest and we cannot leave the job of advocacy to others. If we want an appropriate education for our children, we have to be their voice. This workshop will give parents the tools they need to be a better advocate for their child,” says Rebecca Christiansen, founder of Celebrate Differences and mother to a son with Down syndrome.
Parents who attend the workshop will receive a tote bag and materials to organize their child’s IEP. They will also receive the second edition of “From Emotions to Advocacy”.
The workshop meets on September 14, 21, 28 and October 5, 12 and 19 at 7:00pm. The workshop meetings will be held at the Bethany of Fox Valley United Methodist Church located at 2200 Ridge Ave, Aurora, Il 60504. Parents may register by calling 630-885-3006 or on line at http://advocacyworkshop.eventbrite.com

Official Website: http://www.celebratedifferences.org