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The most frequent request that OPC receives from parents is for an advocate to attend their IEP meeting. Due to the small size of our staff and the demand from the community, PTI staff is unable to attend all requested meetings. In order to assist more parents throughout the state who need support with their IEP meetings, OPC has created the Community IEP Partners Program. We are actively recruiting IEP Partners in all areas of the state. Please check our calendar to find a Partners Training near you. Questions? Call Nancy Garner, Director of Special Projects toll-free at 1-877-553-4332 or directly at 405- 601-1599 or by e-mail at ngarner@oklahomaparentscenter.org.
What is the Community IEP Partner's Program offered by the Oklahoma Parents Center?
The Partners Program trains and matches Partners with parents wanting support at their child's IEP meeting. Our goal is to have Partners in every community throughout the state of Oklahoma
Who are Community IEP Partners?
Partners are parents and others who have gone through a two day intensive Partner Training Program. Partners are volunteers for the Oklahoma Parents Center, the Training and Information Project for Oklahoma. They receive a $25.00 stipend for each meeting that they attend as assigned by OPC.
What is the role of the Community IEP Partner?
Partners are not at the meeting to speak for you. Their role is to help you prepare for the meeting, plan an agenda, identify the issues, write out proposals etc. At the meeting they will take notes and act as a trained listener who is familiar with special education rules and regulations. Partners model parent/professional partnerships and collaboration.
Can I have a Community IEP Partner attend my IEP meeting?
We are currently recruiting Community IEP Partners in all areas of the state. We are planning our first Community Partners Training in January, and will be conducting trainings in each of the six regions.
Please consider joining us as a Community IEP Partner.
When we have trained partners available, we will be assigning them to meetings. Due to the great demand, we are only able to provide each parent with a partner for two meetings per student per school year. To have a Partner attend your meeting you need to give the OPC as much notice as possible before the meeting (two weeks is preferable). If you call the day before your meeting, we may not be able to make a match, so please plan accordingly. Partners are not always available and we may not have a partner in your area. We will continue to hold trainings throughout Oklahoma in hopes of being able to support parents in all parts of the state. As always, technical assistance is available from the OPC staff at our toll-free number, 1-877-553-4332.
Before a Partner can contact you, a release of information form must be signed and returned to the OPC. This form will be provided for you by mail or email which ever you prefer. We would also appreciate you filling out a Partner Evaluation Form following your meeting. Your feedback is important to us, and we will use the information you provide to improve this program.
To request a Partner or to volunteer to become a Community IEP Partner, please call 1-877-553-4332 or contact Nancy Garner directly at 405-601-1599 or by email at ngarner@oklahomaparentscenter.org.
To become a Community IEP Partner you must attend a two day intensive training.
The training covers:
• IDEA
• IEP
• IFSP
• High School Transition
• Behavior and Discipline in School
• Principles of Communication
• Parent/Professional Partnerships
• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
What is a Community IEP Partner's Role?
Partners assist parents advocate for their children. Partners are not advocates and should not present themselves as such. Partners need to have time to participate in this program. If you take the training and do not have time to participate in the program please let us know. Partners need to be good listeners that are willing to continue training in special education and be open to collaboration. If you have had a bad experience with your child in special education and come in with a bad attitude towards school districts you may not be an effective partner. Most partners enjoy being partners and feel like they play an integral part in getting the child’s needs met. Parents are also very grateful that this service is available.
To request an IEP Partner Training or to participate in an already scheduled training call Nancy Garner toll-free at 1-877-553-4332 or directly at 405- 601-1599 or by e-mail at ngarner@oklahomaparentscenter.org.
Community IEP Partners Availability
Partners can be used once a year or twenty times depending on location and availability. If you are not being called, then parents aren’t requesting Partners in your area. It might be a good time to make sure that OPC’s brochures are available to parents at your local schools.
Confidentiality
All information that you receive before or during an IEP meeting should be kept confidential. This information is not to be talked about with friends, family or other Partners. If you have a question or concern about a parent’s situation please call the helpline. Give all meeting notes to the parents. Partners don’t retain any information.
Partner Support
If you run into a situation and don’t have the answers a parent needs please call the helpline. The helpline is there to assist Partners as well as parents. If you have a question about the law, the helpline is available for explanations, information and tools to make you more successful as you work with parents.
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