PARENT SUPPORT & ADVOCACY

Parents are equal partners in the team that helps develop the educational program for your child.  Being able to communicate and work effectively with school professionals can be overwhelming, especially if a child is experiencing learning difficulties. Our goal at BES is to meet the child and family right where they are, and to assist in working collaboratively with the team of professionals involved in the child's process.

BES advocacy and parent support is founded in a respectful and collaborative approach which strives to empower parents and families as they share their child’s story. The BES team facilitates a process which supports creative problem solving, and is inclusive of all stakeholders and professionals serving the child. This approach can also result in BES supporting parents and families in the decision-making process to change their child’s educational setting, in order  to better address their unique needs.

There are a variety of ways that we provide parent support:

• Review 504 plans or IEP's, and providing consultation support and guidance;

• Assist in identifying accommodations, modifications and goals that would benefit your child based on their unique learning needs;

• Assist in preparing for a meeting with school staff, a 504-committee meeting, or an Admission, Review and Dismissal (ARD) committee meeting;

• Participate in a phone conference with school staff to assist in problem-solving a situation or discussing effective strategies to improve instruction and student performance;

• Attend a meeting with school staff (504-committee meetings, pre-ARD and ARD committee meetings) to provide support and advocacy;

• Assist in making decisions about the appropriate educational setting for a child;

• Accompany parents on visits to specific schools, campuses and classrooms in consideration of a placement for their child;

• Conduct classroom observations of a child, and collaborate with parents and school staff, related to effective instructional strategies and social emotional supports.

POSITIVE DISCIPLINE COACHING

At BES, we offer Positive Discipline Parent coaching that is geared towards children with special needs. This program was developed by Dr. Jane Nelson, and is based on the work of Alfred Adler and Rudolf Dreukurs.

We are trained in this program because its methods are tailored to children with special needs who might struggle with finding a supportive and understanding community. “Recent research tells us that children are hardwired from birth to connect with others, and that children who feel a sense of connection to their community, family, and school are less likely” to struggle in these various environments.

POSITIVE DISCIPLINE PARENT COACHING

1. Our sessions are tailored to support families with children who have unique needs, such as attention challenges, Executive Functioning deficits, and other mental health needs. While all families can benefit from Positive Discipline, this workshop is especially helpful for those who have “tried everything” and need more.  Here is what parents can expect: 

   • 10 individualized and consecutive 1-hour sessions with Mia Roldan, LCSW, LCDC, Clinical Therapist, Certified Positive Discipline Parent Coach. Sessions can be either virtual or in person based on the family’s preference. 

   • To truly individualize, Mia will review any evaluations and school-based documents pertaining to the specific special needs of the child prior to starting the sessions.  To provide continuity of care, she will collaborate with other helping professionals who know the family and/or child well.  

   • Ongoing access to Mia between sessions to help problem-solve and collaborate, as issues unfold in the home.  She will be available to parents by text and/or email Monday - Friday, 8am-8pm to offer coaching when specific questions come up. (Responses will be answered within the same day.) This allows for meaningful growth not only during sessions, but between meetings as well.  

   • Families will be provided Positive Discipline materials, (ex. visuals, charts, printed schedules, etc.) to utilize at home, based on the needs of the child and family.  

   • At the conclusion of the 10 sessions, Mia will provide recommendations for continued support and next steps after completion of the parent coaching program (including support for parents and/or children).