Are you a special education advocate with a passion for serving families? 

What is an Edly Special Education Advocate?

Edly special education advocates are independent contractors who accept assignments from us to help families who contact Edly seeking assistance! 

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If you are already working as a special education advocate, Edly can help you work with more families. 

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Advocates may answer special education questions and even coach parents to get ready for 504 or IEP meetings. 

Frequently, Advocates go to IEP and 504 meetings with families (in person or via technology).

Advocates have knowledge of educational laws and services available within the public school systems. 

They have the ability to identify, evaluate, and explain solutions to parents. 

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They understand what drives the education industry so that they can design solutions for clients and demonstrate educational impact of the solutions.

They have significant knowledge and subject matter expertise of educational programs and services that are available. 

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If you are interested in becoming an IEP Advocate, scroll to the final question on this page and learn more! 

What are the qualifications for Edly Advocates?

Please visit the website page "Advocate Position Description." 

How do Edly Advocates work with Edly families?

Edly offers several different Service Packages and can customize a Service Package, too.

Parents can ask questions and receive your advice on how to solve problems. If a family is heading to a 504 or IEP meeting but doesn't want to bring an Advocate to the meeting, you can review and analyze the child's IEP and progress reports and then coach the family on what to do and say in the meeting.  

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You can review education records, assess data and progress, analyze violations and problems, make referrals and recommendations, help write letters and file certain complaints.

An Advocate can also attend IEP or 504 meetings (live or via technology) to help ensure that your client receives what they deserve: fair treatment, appropriate programming and services, supports, accommodations, modifications, etc. 

What kinds of assignments do Edly Advocates receive?

The work you'll do with Edly is the same work that you already do as a Special Education Advocate. In your current business, you likely wear a lot of hats. Advocates do a lot of different things. The focus of an IEP Advocate's services with Edly's clients will vary from family to family.

Families may want you to identify and analyze problems or needs for their child and help write goals or determine if their child is making progress on goals/objectives. 

You may be asked to help a family make sure the school team is implementing an IEP or 504 Plan. 

Families may want you to attend an IEP or 504 meeting or other school meeting. You can do this in person or via technology, depending on your preference. 

An Advocate can also work to: 

➢       increase communication between the school district and the family

➢       develop a school district relationship where the parent’s concerns are heard and acted on

➢       help the parent feel like an equal part of the IEP team 

➢      eliminate the use of low expectations of your child by educational professionals

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➢       facilitate identification of educationally based needs through the school district or through referrals

➢       prevent others blaming of the child or parent for the child's behaviors

➢       make suggestions that the team (parents and teachers) are supported with information, training and research based programming 

➢       assist with the development of an IEP, with an awareness of the continuum of services and placements available

➢       assist with the development of positive behavioral interventions for disability-associated disruptive behaviors and behaviors that interfere with a child learning and participating in school 

➢      protect parent rights by identifying and preserving them throughout the IEP process, so they can exercise them later if necessary

➢   provide clients with appropriate referrals.

How many assignments can Edly Advocates receive, and how do they complete the assignments?

Assignments vary from week to week and month to month. Edly markets nationwide and demand varies from state to state and also seasonally (you're probably slower during holiday and summer breaks - we are, too!).

Since you are already working as a special education advocate in your own business, we will ask you how many assignments you would like to receive per week. Edly cannot guarantee a minimum number of assignments.

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You will be 100% in charge of how you handle your cases. We emphasize a collaborative approach so that families feel comfortable that persuasive, strong, confident advocacy is not going to disrupt the ongoing relationships they have to maintain with the school personnel. As an independent contractor, your expertise and skills will be utilized with Edly clients just like you're serving your own private clients. You will not be required to consult with Edly or report back on the status of your cases. Our advocates are experienced and great at what they do, so you're in charge of the process of serving your clients and providing excellent service! 

When and how do Edly Advocates work with families?

You get to work when, where, and how you choose! You can do telephonic or in-person consultations, records reviews, coaching calls, and/or attend school meetings in person or via Skype/Zoom. Your preferences will be taken into account when Edly offers you assignments.

Do Edly Advocates work year round? 

As an independent contractor, you choose when you are available to receive assignments.

How does Edly pay its Advocates?

Our Advocates are independent contracted professionals who set their own fees. Advocates are paid when they complete an Assignment. 

I'd like to interview! What's the next step?

Please email us for a Questionnaire (info@edlyeducation.com). Once we review the Questionnaire, candidates who are invited for interviews will be notified by email to schedule a telephone or Skype interview. 

Where can I learn more about training in special education & advocacy?

Here are a few sites that explain the industry of professional special education advocacy and offer training programs:

COPAA (Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates)  http://www.copaa.org/?page=professionals

National Special Education Advocacy Institute - https://www.nseai.org

Institute of Special Education Advocacy -  

http://law.wm.edu/academics/programs/jd/electives/clinics/specialed/isea/index.php

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...and others exist, too! Check with your state's Department of Education, local ARC chapters, Wrightslaw (www.wrightlaw.com - they have live trainings and webinar downloads!), and local Parent Training centers.