We get it, the special education system is complex. Thankfully, there are many other parents on this road with you and plenty of resources available to make it easier. We have gathered and listed the best Washington Special Education parent resources available to help you!
1. Notice of Procedural Safeguards.
Does this document sound familiar? You should have received one when your child was referred for evaluation, but the Notice of Procedural Safeguards can also be found online (you can also request a copy at any time). This document is the foundation for your advocacy journey. It lays out your rights and all the safeguards in place for your child in the Washington special education system. Do not let the length and the legal jargon scare you off. Number 8 on this list can help you better understand the notice.
2. Washington Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)
There is no escaping the complexity of the special education system. The laws in place to protect your child also make it a bit more complicated to understand. Thankfully OSPI provides guidance to families. Their Special Education Parent and Community Liaison is available to provide non-legal assistance to families. The liaison is available to help families facilitate meetings with the school, advocate for their child, and find resources. Additionally, OSPI’s website offers guides for families and a resource library.
3. Kidvokit for Washington
When you are in the thick of advocating for your child, searching for IEP related emails seems like a waste of your valuable time. Kidvokit is a solution to that problem. It keeps you organized and prepared for meetings by automatically detecting and filing IEP related emails and creating a timeline with your important documents. Kidvokit can even instantly answer your IEP related questions with its AI assistant. You can learn more about how Kidvokit can help by visiting our “How it works” page.
4. PAVE
PAVE is a resource hub! As a nationally funded Parent Center, PAVE’s mission is to support families of children with disabilities. One of the most helpful services they provide is personal referrals and guidance. They also offer guidance and education through their online guides and video resources. When you have questions or need a specific resource, PAVE is a great place to start.
5. Open Doors for Multicultural Families
Open Doors is a Parent Center specifically focused on multicultural and English language learner (ELL) families. They offer programs to all families of children with disabilities, but a majority of their programs focus on the unique challenges refugee, ELL, and immigrant families face. Even if this does not apply to you, visit Open Door’s website for a full list of programs. Many of their programs serve all families and they even have programs for students!
6. The Arc Washington State
The Arc offers multiple resources, but one of the most helpful is Parent to Parent. Parent to Parent is a program that can pair you with a parent mentor who has experience navigating the special education system. These parent volunteers not only provide emotional support but also advice and referrals. Another great resource The Arc offers are Parent Coalitions. Parent Coalitions are support and advocacy groups located throughout the state. Check out The Arc’s website to learn more about what they offer!
7. Washington Autism Alliance
Are you a parent of a child on the Autism Spectrum? If so, the Washington Autism Alliance (WAA) is for you. WAA offers free parent workshops and online resources. They also provide Family Navigators on a sliding scale fee. Family Navigators help families coordinate care and navigate the health and education system. Even if you are not interested in hiring a Family Navigator, WAA’s website is a great place to find ASD resources.
8. Wrightslaw
As you know, understanding your rights is critical when advocating for your child. Wrightslaw is a special education rights hub! Their website allows you to easily find any special education laws or regulations with their A-Z topic tab. Additionally, Wrightslaw provides step-by-step guides on navigating special education laws and rights. When you need help understanding an aspect of the Procedural Safeguards, Wrightslaw is a great place to look for answers.
9. Disability Rights Washington
The hope is that you will never encounter legal issues, but if you do, Disability Rights Washington (DRW) is there to help. DRW provides information on your rights, general guidance, and referrals. For families seeking assistance with a special education issue, they suggest making an appointment. You can find their phone number and office hours on Disability Rights Washington’s website.
10. Facebook
The benefit of a good support group cannot be overstated. It is helpful to share struggles, questions, and successes with a group of people who understand. If your schedule won’t allow an in-person support group, Facebook groups are a great alternative. There are many Facebook groups available, but a few Washington specific groups worth checking out are: Seattle-Area Parents of Children with Disabilities, Raising Autistic Kids of WA, Eastside Parents of ADD/ADHD Kids, and Dyslexia Support Washington State.
Washington Special Education Resource Recap
Take a moment to appreciate yourself. You are doing the hard work of advocating for your child. We hope this list reminds you that you are not alone. Washington parents have access to two parent centers, multiple organizations that offer legal advice, and support groups! Utilize these resources and continue doing the good work of advocating for your kid!
Learn how Kidvokit can save you time and keep you organized!
