WHO I am & HOW I WORK WITH YOU
The mission?
To get your child what they need in school to reach their goalS and your goals for them, as a team.
What is advocacy?
Advocacy is when you bring someone onto your child’s team to help them have a stronger voice in the IEP process. My job as your advocate and your child’s advocate is to work with you to figure out the best way to support you through the process. Some families want an advocate who takes the lead in meetings. Some families want someone behind the scenes to explain the process and help them learn and figure out how to advocate for their child. Some families have been in a long standing back and forth with their district and need someone to come in strong. Some families want someone to be there to step in if necessary to advocate for their child’s needs. When you work with me, we set up a time to talk about the plan before every meeting. I am in consistent contact with you prior to all decision making points. I will help in whatever way works best for you and your family. You get to be in charge of how we work together. You’re in control of the process. Not sure what you need or want? I help you figure that out too. Reach out and we can start the process.
Sarah Colby is a special education teacher and BCBA with 15 years of experience in Massachusetts. Previous experience in Kansas and Illinois. She has attending countless IEP meetings and wants to help you advocate for your child’s needs.
COACHING SESSIONS —
The scope of each coaching session is fully dependent on your needs. We’ll figure out what the issues are, discuss what your child needs, and address your concerns. Or if you’re struggling to come up with the tactics and strategies to help you in a specific area, we’ll create a doable, custom plan that outlines what you need to do to get your child what they need.
With individual coaching, you get to choose when we meet and for how long. After each session you’ll receive action steps based on our session. The priorities for each upcoming session will be based on your needs, as well as any issues identified in our conversations or previous sessions.
MEETING ATTENDANCE —
Meetings with your child’s IEP team do not have to be scary.
Don't want to walk into meetings alone? I can be right there with you. Want me to just be on call in case you want me to join? We can do that too.
Don't want to speak up in meetings? I can do that for you too! Don’t want me to speak up and just be there for support? That’s fine too.
You get to choose how active I am in IEP meetings. I will follow your wishes and your lead in meetings. I am there to help foster a team atmosphere while also working to achieve your goals.
Meet Sarah colby
I was a fresh-faced midwestern, who kept getting lost on Massachusetts' winding roads the first time I walked into an IEP meeting. It even took me multiple months before I realized Worcester is not pronounced (wore-chest-er).
Sitting in my first year or so of IEP meetings and parent meetings was scary and overwhelming. I always felt a little lost or like I was messing it all up.
Now 14 years into special education, and I feel confident in meetings. Before you ask, of course I still get nervous but now I know what I'm doing. I have learned how to assess a child's needs and work cross functionally with admin, teachers, service providers, and families to develop an IEP that reflects a child's needs.
I decided to start this business because I am sick and tired of students not getting their needs met in the standard IEP. I believe every student deserves to have a strong IEP that reflects their individual strengths, their personal goals, their family's goals, and their family's values & hopes for the future.
I want to work on developing IEPs as a collaborative team that prepares a student for their unique future.
services
Parent coaching / consultation
Choose when and how we work together to meet your goals. You set the agenda, we bring the knowledge and experience to support you in achieving those goals. Not sure what you need or where to go? We can help with that too. At Sarah Colby Consulting, we believe in empowering our clients and supporting them in whatever way works best for them.
meeting attendance
Don’t want to go to that meeting alone? Do you want someone to help you navigate the process? Would you feel more comfortable with someone else speaking or taking the lead advocate role? Just want someone there just in case?
We will come with you, sit besides you, and be as active or passive as you want while supporting and guiding you through every step of the way. Before, during, and after any meeting for your child.
custom packages available upon request
“Words cannot express our gratitude for Sarah Colby Consulting. Sarah has a thorough knowledge of educational rights for all children and is incredibly passionate about helping parents make sure kids are getting what they need to be successful learners. Her initial consultation took what we felt like was an overwhelming mountain of information has now been organized and feels achievable. As we begin the formal process of assessment and planning, we are confident that anytime we need her, Sarah will be available and willing to guide us. We are certain that her expertise is valuable and would refer anyone in our position to seek her out.”
-Audrey & Chris, Parents
"I couldn't be more happy with the service, guidance and in-person support we received; it was especially nice that she has had a similar experience as a parent and understands what we're going through. I don't think that can be quantified as to value added when selecting an advocate. Sarah is worth more than she could ever be paid."
Mike, Parent
"I reached out to Sarah when I got my daughter’s testing back and felt completely overwhelmed. She got back to me quickly, and we made a plan to best advocate for my daughter. While the initial meeting did not have the outcome we hoped, Sarah pushed and advocated for additional testing, which they agreed to. She provided support and helped me advocate when I wasn’t sure how to. The first time she spoke in our meeting I looked over at my husband and we agreed that having her there was worth every penny. We are working with her again for our upcoming IEP meeting."
-Rachel, Parent
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Disclaimer: The information and materials on this website are for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. To see if laws cited are current, you may check with an advocacy organization, such as the Federation for Children with Special Needs, the Disability Law Center, or Massachusetts Advocates for Children, or for legal advice, you should consult a Special Education attorney.
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