ANNE CUNNINGHAM, MPS, SBL
EDUCATIONAL ADVOCATE
SUPPORTING AND GUIDING PARENTS AS THEY NAVIGATE THE OBSTACLES AND RED TAPE TO ACQUIRE AN APPROPRIATE EDUCATION FOR THEIR CHILD WHO HAS A DISABILITY OR STRUGGLES ACADEMICALLY, EMOTIONALLY, OR SOCIALLY
When you need the expertise of
Anne Cunningham,
Educational Advocate
⭐️ The school district refuses or ignores your request to have your child evaluated for Special Education Services & supports.
⭐️ Your child has been receiving Tier 2 or Tier 3 RTI supports for more than 12 weeks.
⭐️ The school has called you more than once to pick up your child early due to behavior outburst.
⭐️ Your child is experiencing school refusal due to anxiety, depression, or any other mental health crisis.
⭐️ You believe your baby under the age of 3 years old is in need of developmental support/Early Intervention support.
⭐️ Your child's reading level is below grade level.
⭐️ Your child's math level is below grade level.
⭐️ Your child's IEP or 504 is not being followed - out of compliance.
⭐️ Bullying
⭐️ The CSE does not return you phone calls or emails.
⭐️ You believe your child needs a different educational setting or school.
⭐️ Your child's substance abuse issue is interfering in his/her education or attendance.
⭐️ The school does not see the same academic struggles you do at home.
⭐️ The concerns you have for your child are falling on deaf ears.
As your child's greatest advocate you need an experienced, professional advocate by your side to achieve your most important Mission: to have your child educated.
SERVICES OFFERED
5 Mistakes Parents Commonly Make in Dealing with the Committee on Special Education
1. Parents do not know they are allowed to bring an Advocate to meetings with them. With the proper documentation an Advocate can communicate with your child's service providers, teachers, and members at the district level on your behalf.
2. Parents who do know they can bring an Advocate to a meeting become fearful of upsetting the district who they feel has the authority to restrict services for their child. This is unlawful and does not happen.
3. Bringing a supportive friend to your child's CSE Meeting is not an Advocate. This is a loving, supportive friend who has little to no experience regarding procedure and processes.
4. Due to feeling overwhelmed and emotional parents do not know the right questions to ask at CSE/IEP meetings. Parents frequently forget what is discussed at CSE/IEP Meetings.
5. Feeling displeased, hopeless, and powerless, parents walk away from CSE/IEP meetings where program decisions are made for their child they do not agree with.
7 Ways I'm Different Than Other Advocates
1. I have sat at the Committee on Special Education meeting table as parent, teacher, administrator, and advocate in different counties and states. I understand the pressures each member of the CSE feels.
2. I have supported over 230 families in New York & Connecticut and throughout the United States.
3. I have built a reputation as an Advocate who is well versed in IDEA & State regulations.
4. My ability to read and interpret evaluation scores, analyze data, measure Goals and Objectives has created stronger IEPs for students.
5. I have a relationship with outstanding professionals and programs to refer parents to.
6. I've supported parents in numerous school districts that I can advise parents relocating to New York State; which school district will best support their child's needs
7. I am passionate about serving families & student.