Module 7a Advocacy Participant Handout -2.txt

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Engagement Text Logo Final with Supporting Transition 2 and Line.tif 


 

 

Participant Handout 

 

 

 

 

 

My Rights and
Responsibilities as a Parent 


 

 

 

 

 

Advocacy through Partnerships 


 

 

 

Developed by: 
Rhonda Logsdon, Kentucky Special Parent Information 
Network (KY SPIN); Nancy Lovett, Calloway County 
Regional Training Center (RTC); 
& Brenda Mullins, Kentucky Early Childhood Transition 
Project (KECTP) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


My Rights and Responsibilities as a Parent: 
Advocacy through Partnerships 

Parents are natural advocates for their children - 
You know your child better than anyone else does 


Our emotions and experiences shape the way we approach advocacy 

Steps to Advocate for your child: 

. __ ____ _________: Gather facts and information; speak with other 
families who have been there; contact agencies/organizations; learn 
everything you can 
. _____ ___ ______ _____: What are rules and guidelines; learn who the 
�go to� person is; follow the appropriate steps; know what the process is if 
you do not agree 
. _______: Planning prevents problems; write down ideas and suggestions; 
ask for help if you need it; have samples and recommendations from others; 
decide exactly what it is you want accomplished 
. ________: Create a binder; keep a phone log; create a paper trail; put all 
request in writing; have any policies, procedures, guidelines provided to you 
in writing; if it�s not in writing it may not be provided to your child 
. ______ __________________, ______ _____________: If you do not ask 
you will not know; no question is a dumb question; actively listen and do not 
make prejudgments; ask questions in a way to get the answer you want: 
* Open ended questions: requires explanation 


* Close ended questions: yes or no 

. __________ ________: Make a list and prioritize based on your child�s 
needs; Who, What, Why, Where, When, and How this effects your child; 
define and describe issue from all angles; be proactive versus reactive; 
develop strategies; don�t spend your time looking to blame someone 



. ________________ ____ ______________: Build partnerships; you are an 
important part of the team; communicate your needs and desires for your 
child; you will not always agree with one another; if you feel overwhelmed 
or upset step away from the situation/meeting 
. _________ ____________: 
Offer ways to address issues; be an active part 
of the solutions; provide documentation and proven methods; offer 
suggestions and ways to address the issue (such as we do this at home and it 
works) 
. ________ _____________: Work as equals in collaborating on behalf of 
your child; it takes work to develop partnership. Ask yourself �What can I 
do to make a difference in my child�s life�; the key to any successful 
partnership is communication; In any partnership it is important to follow 
through with what you promise to do; Allow yourself to dream for yourself 
and your child. 
. ___ ____ ______ __________: Access parent support groups in your 
area (e.g., PTA); contact organizations/agencies who can help you (e.g., 
FRYSC); meet/talk with families similar to yours at school, doctors� offices, 
etc. Organizations that maintain support group lists include: 
o KY Autism Training Center (KATC) support groups list: 
https://louisville.edu/education/kyautismtraining/resources/family-
guide , 
o Opportunities for Family Leadership (OFL) has a list of parent 
support groups http://mhmr.ky.gov/mhsas/OFL.asp 
o KY-SPIN has a list of Family Support Groups at 
http://www.kyspin.com/family_support_groups.cfm 




 

Remember�. 

. Building a strong partnership will help you effectively advocate for your 
child! 
. Your child is depending on you to be his/her advocate in education and in 
life. Take time to become a lifelong learner and discover with other families 
ways to support one another. 



 

 

Check out these resources for information 
about advocacy and more� 

. Working Together: A Parent�s Guide to Parent and Professional Partnership and 
Communication Within Special Education (PACER) 
http://www.taalliance.org/publications/pdfs/ALL51.pdf 
. Introducing Your Child to the School Community Using a �Student Snapshot� Format 
(PACER) 
http://www.pacer.org/webinars/planninginclusion/IntroducingYourChildtotheSchoolCommunity.pdf 
. Communicating with Your Child�s School Through Letter Writing (NICHCY) 
http://www.nichcy.org/InformationResources/Documents/NICHCY%20PUBS/pa9.pdf 
. Steps to Success: Communicating with Your Child's School (NICHCY & CADRE) 
http://www.directionservice.org/cadre/pdf/Steps%20to%20Success.pdf 


 

 

 

 

 

 NOTES� 


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This is Module 7a in The ENGAGEMENT Training Series for Kentucky Families & Professionals: Supporting Transition 
and School Readiness. The modules in this training series were developed by content experts across the Commonwealth. 
The series is a collaborative effort among the developers, reviewers, Kentucky Department of Education (KDE), Kentucky 
Regional Training Centers (RTC), and the Kentucky Early Childhood Transition Project (KECTP). Replication of materials 
was paid for with State Personnel Development Grant (SPDG) funds.