Connecting Families
The IEP Mentoring program is educational support that is tailored to you. In collaboration with the Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center (CPAC), DS ACT members have free access to a parent coach experienced in educational advocacy and trained in the Down syndrome learning profile.
The independent education plan (IEP) is a legal document built around the individual needs of your child. You are part of the team that creates and monitors the IEP, but sometimes it doesn’t feel that way. The DS ACT Mentoring program helps you claim your spot on the team by teaching you
- the ins and outs of the IEP document itself
- stages of IEP development
- the role of effective communication
- the tools you can use to monitor your child’s progress
- strategies for addressing problems specific to your student
If you run into roadblocks as you apply what you’ve learned, our parent coach is still there for you! Once you’ve been through initial training, support remains available until your student exits the school system – whether that is advice by phone, email or in person, and up to and including attendance at an IEP team meeting as your coach.
The DS ACT IEP Mentoring Program is available to DS ACT members who are parents or guardians of individuals from birth to 21. Please complete the form below.