Show Notes: "Oh My! The IEP Meeting and Advice for Parents" – Part 2Hosts & Guests:Meredith (Host)Tashia White (Co-host/Parent)Dr. Stephanie Crawford (Director of Mental Health)Dr. Bernadette Pigeon (Mental Health Coordinator)Ellen Kerkoff (Mental Health Lead)Topics Covered:What to expect at an IEP meeting: structure, annual reviews, and the three-year reevaluation process.Navigating school transitions (elementary to middle, middle to high school) and how to support your child.The importance of collaboration and communication between current and future IEP teams.Translating clinical terms into parent-friendly, educational language.How IEP goals are set, measured, and scaffolded for student growth.The role of parents and students in goal-setting and advocacy.Addressing concerns about grade-level expectations, graduation, and individualized student outcomes.Advice for parents: preparing questions, advocating for your child, and building collaborative relationships with the IEP team.Strategies for handling challenging meetings, seeking support, and giving yourself grace as a parent.Reducing stigma around special education and celebrating neurodiversity and student strengths.Practical Tips for Parents:Be proactive: attend parent-teacher conferences, communicate openly, and empower your child to self-advocate.Prepare questions and observations ahead of the IEP meeting.Don’t hesitate to ask for clarification or request a pause if the meeting becomes overwhelming.Build at least one strong relationship with a team member for support.Remember, you are the expert on your child and a key member of the IEP team.Bring any support person you wish to the meeting.Resources Mentioned:DCSEAC website: DCSEAC.orgContact: [email protected] media links for DCSEAC (see website for details)Additional resources referenced in the episode will be listed in the show notes.DCSD Mental Health Site and within that site when a person clicks on resources are the following:Colorado ResourcesDouglas County Youth and Family Resource GuideDouglas County Youth & Family Resource Guide for Multilingual ResourcesMetro Mental Health Community Resources GuideColorado Resources below:Parents Encouraging Parents (PEP) - https://ed.cde.state.co.us/cdesped/spedparents/pepPeak Parent Center - https://www.peakparent.org/Next Episode:Part 3: Functional behavior assessments and exciting district news.How to Support:Like, share, and follow the podcast.Send suggestions or questions via social media or email.

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