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ARD Assist is a consulting service focused on helping parents of children with disabilities work with school districts to obtain appropriate services for their children with disabilities. In order to accomplish this, we believe that parent education about...
1) The components of the Admission, Review and Dismissal (ARD) process and of the Individualized Education Plan/Program (IEP)
2) Special education law and procedure
3) How to read/understand the various documents provided in the process
4) Communication and negotiation techniques
5) The child's disabilities, and
6) Relevant and available resources, treatments, and alternatives
...Is the basis and key for long term success.
The parent will always be the child's best, most readily available advocate, and so needs preparation in all of these areas in order to provide the best chance of success in the ARD arena for the duration of the child's school experience.
Why ARD Assist, and not another advocacy service?
Jill Stover, Consultant/Lay Advocate, is passionate about helping children to obtain an appropriate education, helping parents learn to be more effective and informed, and is committed to providing quality assistance at a reasonable price. She understands that most families of children with disabilities are taxed by financial stresses in addition to the challenges created by simply wanting the best educational services and opportunities that can be had for their child.
It is important to understand that advocacy consulting services are not an exact science. While special education processes are grounded in law, there are many variables affecting outcomes (primarily, the people involved in the process). NO guarantees of results can ever be made by any reputable advocate, and parents need to understand this when hiring one. When seeking the assistance of a consultant/advocate, it is important to understand the individual's philosophy about service and to determine if there is something unique to be offered by his/her background and experience.
As the parent of a child with a disability, Jill has learned about special education advocacy through living the process - like all parents do when facing the reality of having a child with medical or neurobiological issues. This fact, plus her background in public education, law, and project management, provide her with a unique perspective and supportive attitude in order to help parents through the complex special education process. The information obtained in consultation with Jill is not and should not be considered legal advice, which can only be provided by a licensed attorney. For more detailed information about Jill's background and qualifications, see the "Biography and Qualifications" page found at the sidebar menu. How to get started with ARD Assist:
Jill consults part-time via email and phone, and will, on a limited basis, meet with parents at mutually agreeable times - primarily in evenings and on weekends to accommodate working parents. The following is the typical/preferred process:
1. Initial email contact by client to jstover@ardassist.com providing the items and information noted on the "Intake" menu item page.
2. Upon review of the email and required information, Jill will call or email basic recommendations, a service agreement, and fee estimate for any additional work.
3. Should additional clarification be needed, if a phone number is provided as requested in the intake form, Jill will attempt to contact the client by phone or email.
Fees will generally range from $20 to $150 per contact/service depending on the needed action. Email and phone consults beyond the initial contact will incur fees. Some cases are more time intensive, and services will be charged for accordingly. With the exception of basic recommendations provided in the initial email response, fees for services need to be paid for in advance or as the service is provided, at the discretion of Jill Stover. |