Empowered 2 Advocate

Michelle Farrell

Our mission at Empowered 2 Advocate is for you to feel confident that you have the support, information, resources and expertise to be your child’s biggest advocate. Our goal is to make sure you get there. Listen each Friday for easy to digest and implementable tips, tools and strategies!

  1. 09/05/2025

    The Green Flags of a Well Written IEP

    In this episode of the Empowered to Advocate podcast, Michelle and Dana Marie discuss the essential green flags to look for in a well-written Individualized Education Plan (IEP). They emphasize the importance of student-centered language, effective goal setting, and the inclusion of both student and parent voices. The conversation also covers the need for a balanced approach to addressing various skill areas and the significance of progress monitoring in ensuring that goals are met. This episode serves as a guide for parents navigating the complexities of IEPs, providing them with actionable insights to advocate for their children effectively. Takeaways - Student-centered language is crucial in IEPs. - Goals should be specific, achievable, and trackable. - Clear connections between needs, goals, and services are essential. - All skill areas impacted by a disability should be addressed. - Parent and student voices must be included in the IEP. - Progress monitoring plans are necessary for tracking success. - The new IEP template emphasizes child-centered focus. - Goals should not be copied and pasted from previous years. - IEPs should balance academic and social-emotional skills. - Parents should come prepared with concerns for IEP meetings. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to IEP Green Flags 02:19 Student-Centered Language in IEPs 03:09 Setting Specific and Measurable Goals 05:24 Connecting Needs, Goals, and Services 06:13 Balancing Academic and Social-Emotional Skills 07:06 Inclusion of Student and Parent Voices 08:32 Progress Monitoring Plans 09:36 Conclusion and Future Topics Next Steps!  We’re helping you press the easy button on back to school! When you sign up for an Office Hours session in August or September for $45 for 45 minutes with us you also get: ✏️ our customizable Back to School letter ✏️ 15% off one future service with us! ⁠⁠Grab your spot by clicking HERE⁠⁠ These sessions are a perfect way to gain clarity and direction on your child's special education paperwork and any challenges you are experiencing navigating the special education process!

    11 min

  2. 08/29/2025

    The Essential Role of Parents/Caregivers in Special Education

    In this episode of the Empowered to Advocate podcast, Michelle and Dana Marie discuss the importance of parental involvement in IEP meetings as the school year begins. They outline five key reasons why parents should actively participate in these meetings, emphasizing legal rights, understanding their child's needs, accountability, consistency between home and school, and the role of parents in long-term educational goals. The conversation aims to empower parents to advocate effectively for their children in the educational system. Takeaways Parents are legally required to be part of the IEP team.Being present in IEP meetings is crucial for effective advocacy.Parents have unique insights into their child's strengths and challenges.Accountability from parents can enhance the IEP process.Consistency between home and school is vital for student success.Parents help bridge gaps in communication between school years.Long-term goals for students are best supported by parental involvement.Effective communication can lead to better outcomes for children.Parents should feel empowered to speak up in meetings.Support is available for parents navigating the IEP process. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to IEP Season 01:11 Legal Importance of Parental Involvement 02:49 Understanding Your Child's Needs 04:10 The Role of Accountability in IEP Meetings 08:17 Supporting Consistency Between Home and School 10:40 Long-Term Goals and Transition Planning 13:41 Conclusion and Call to Action Next Steps!  We’re helping you press the easy button on back to school! When you sign up for an Office Hours session in August or September for $45 for 45 minutes with us you also get: ✏️ our customizable Back to School letter ✏️ 15% off one future service with us! ⁠Grab your spot by clicking HERE⁠ These sessions are a perfect way to gain clarity and direction on your child's special education paperwork and any challenges you are experiencing navigating the special education process!

    17 min

  3. 08/22/2025

    What Happens During An Office Hour Session with Empowered 2 Advocate?

    In this episode of the Empowered 2 Advocate Podcast, Dana Marie and Michelle discuss the purpose and structure of their office hours service, aimed at supporting parents navigating the special education process. They outline common topics addressed during these sessions, including: understanding IEPsplacement decisionsevaluationscompensatory serviceseffective communication strategies with school teams Michelle and Dana Marie emphasize the importance of maximizing the time spent during office hours by focusing on specific questions and concerns. Key Takeaways Office hours provide a space for parents to troubleshoot special education issues.Common topics include IEP reviews, placement decisions, and evaluations.Parents often seek clarity on specific IEP goals and accommodations.Placement discussions can involve transitioning between different educational settings.Evaluations can be complex, and parents often need guidance on understanding them.Compensatory services are a nuanced topic that requires careful discussion.Effective communication with school teams is crucial for parents.Office hour sessions are structured to focus on one or two specific questions.Preparation is key to maximizing the benefit of office hour sessions. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Office Hours and Support for Parents 02:52 Understanding IEPs and Special Education Processes 05:26 Placement Decisions and Evaluations 08:28 Compensatory Services and Communication Strategies 11:12 Maximizing Office Hour Sessions and Conclusion Next Steps!  We’re helping you press the easy button on back to school! When you sign up for an Office Hours session in August or September for $45 for 45 minutes with us you also get: ✏️ our customizable Back to School letter ✏️ 15% off one future service with us! ⁠Grab your spot by clicking HERE⁠ These sessions are a perfect way to gain clarity and direction on your child's special education paperwork and any challenges you are experiencing navigating the special education process!

    17 min

  4. 08/15/2025

    School Year Success Starts Here!

    It's the time of year again: Back to School time! In this episode of the Empowered 2 Advocate Podcast, Michelle and Dana Marie discuss the transition back to school, focusing on the mixed feelings of excitement and anxiety that parents and educators experience. They provide three key strategies for parents to prepare: reflecting on the previous school year, getting organized with necessary paperwork, and building relationships with educators. These strategies aim to ease the transition for both parents and children, ensuring a smoother start to the new school year. Key Takeaways Back to school time brings mixed feelings of excitement and anxiety.Reflecting on the previous school year helps set goals for the new year.Setting small, achievable goals can ease transitions.Organizing paperwork is crucial for a smooth start.Building relationships with educators is essential for support.Open communication with teachers can prevent future issues.Taking time to reflect doesn't have to be laborious.Establishing rapport early can ease future conversations. Chapters 00:00 Navigating Back to School Anxiety 02:39 Reflecting on Last Year 05:31 Getting Organized for the New Year 08:18 Building Relationships with Educators Next Steps! We’re helping you press the easy button on back to school! When you sign up for an Office Hours session in August or September for $45 for 45 minutes with us you also get: ✏️ our customizable Back to School letter ✏️ 15% off one future service with us! Grab your spot by clicking HERE These sessions are a perfect way to gain clarity and direction on your child's special education paperwork and any challenges you are experiencing navigating the special education process!

    19 min

  5. 05/03/2025

    Financial Planning for Families with Children with Disabilities

    In this episode of the Empowered to Advocate podcast, Dana Marie and Michelle welcome Michael Pereira, founder of Autism Voyage, who shares his journey as a parent of a child with autism and his transition into financial planning for special needs families. Michael discusses the importance of early intervention, the challenges of navigating the system, and the critical need for financial planning and resources to support families. He emphasizes the significance of having open conversations about planning for the future and offers practical advice for parents and caregivers. Michael Pereira, founder of The Autism Voyage, helps parents of special needs children navigate financial and life-planning challenges. As a financial professional specializing in insurance planning, and autism dad himself, Michael knows firsthand how critical it is to have a proactive plan in place. His mission is to bridge the gap between insurance strategies and real-life challenges, empowering families to secure their future with confidence. No one understands the challenges, wins, and fears quite like another parent walking this path. Today, he’s here to share his journey and practical steps every family should consider. Connect with Michael: instagram website linked in email: michael@theautismvoyage.com Takeaways Michael Pereira is the founder of Autism Voyage, helping families navigate financial planning for special needs children.Early intervention is crucial, and parents often face denial before acceptance of their child's needs.Transitioning careers can be necessary for better family support and involvement.Information and resources for parents are often outdated or hard to find, leading to confusion.Financial planning should include income protection, life insurance, and long-term care considerations.Special needs trusts are essential for protecting government benefits while providing for a child's future.Conversations about financial planning should start early and involve professionals.Parents should create documents like a letter of intent to outline care needs for their children.Clarity in financial and caregiving situations is vital for making informed decisions.Personal growth and reflection are important aspects of parenting a child with special needs. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Michael Pereira and His Journey 03:00 Navigating Early Intervention and Acceptance 06:10 Transitioning Careers for Family Support 09:03 The Importance of Information and Resources 12:06 Financial Planning for Special Needs Families 15:00 Understanding Special Needs Trusts 17:49 Resources for Parents and Caregivers 20:54 The Importance of Conversations and Planning 23:57 Reflections on Parenting and Personal Growth 26:50 Celebrating Progress and Achievements 30:05 Actionable Steps for Financial Clarity 33:02 Conclusion and Resources

    33 min

  6. 04/11/2025

    Where Do IEP Goals Come From?

    In this episode of the Empower to Advocate podcast, Dana Marie and Michelle discuss the origins and importance of Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals. They emphasize the need for these goals to be personalized and based on data reflecting a child's current abilities. The conversation covers how to evaluate the effectiveness of IEP goals, the importance of progress monitoring, and the necessity of adjusting goals when they are not met. Dana Marie and Michelle also highlight the significance of communication between parents and educators to ensure that goals are relevant and achievable. Takeaways IEP goals should be individualized and based on data.Parents should understand where IEP goals originate from.Goals must relate to grade-level standards and peers' learning.Regular progress monitoring is essential for effective IEP goals.Goals should not be repeated without justification.Communication between parents and educators is crucial.Data collection is necessary to inform goal setting.Parents should advocate for their child's abilities in IEP meetings.Progress reports should align with IEP goals and objectives.Parents can seek support for understanding and evaluating IEP goals. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to IEP Goals 01:47 Understanding the Source of IEP Goals 04:27 The Importance of Individualized Goals 09:26 Evaluating Goal Attainability 11:50 The Need for Goal Progression 14:03 Conclusion and Call to Action Connect with us! www.Empowered2Advocate.com

    16 min

  7. 04/04/2025

    Navigating IEP Meeting Pressures: You Always Have the Right to Pause

    In this episode of the Empowered to Advocate podcast, Michelle and Dana Marie discuss the challenges parents face during IEP meetings, particularly the pressure to make immediate decisions. They provide strategies for navigating these situations, emphasizing the importance of asking questions, understanding one's rights, and taking the necessary time to make informed decisions. The conversation highlights the need for data-driven proposals and encourages parents to advocate for their child's needs without feeling rushed. Take Aways Parents often feel pressured to agree during IEP meetings.It's important to ask how decisions were made by the school team.Parents should request more information if it's not available during the meeting.You do not have to sign anything at an IEP meeting.Taking time to review proposals is crucial for informed decision-making.The urgency from schools often does not reflect the child's needs.Asking for data can help clarify proposals.Parents have the right to pause and reflect before making decisions.Updated testing may be necessary if information is lacking.Communication with the school team should be ongoing throughout the year. Chapters 00:00 Navigating Pressure in IEP Meetings 12:12 Understanding Your Rights and Taking Time 14:39 The Importance of Informed Decision-Making Connect with Us! www.Empowered2Advocate.com instagram: @Empowered2Advocate

    14 min

  8. 02/01/2025

    Understanding Your Child's Special Education Evaluation Report

    In this episode of the Empower to Advocate podcast, Dana Dana Marie and Michelle discuss the complexities of understanding evaluations in special education. They provide insights into how parents can navigate lengthy reports, focusing on key areas to look for, ensuring accuracy, and decoding testing scores. The conversation emphasizes the importance of being informed and proactive in advocating for children's educational needs. Main Takeaways Parents often feel overwhelmed by lengthy evaluation reports. It's crucial to compare current and previous testing results. Understanding standard scores and percentile ranks is essential. Accurate information in reports can significantly impact eligibility for services. Parents should not hesitate to reach out for clarification on reports. The beginning and end of reports contain vital information. Jargon in reports can be daunting but is necessary to understand. Advocacy coaching can empower parents in the evaluation process. Being informed helps parents participate effectively in meetings. Regular communication with educators can clarify misunderstandings. Chapters 00:00 Understanding Evaluations: A Parent's Guide 06:56 Identifying Discrepancies in Reports 12:25 Decoding Standard Scores and Percentiles 18:48 Navigating the Report: Key Sections to Focus On 22:30 Empowering Parents: Strategies for Effective Advocacy Connect with us! Instagram: @Empowered2Advocate Website: www.Empowered2Advocate.com Join our email list: Click Here!

    25 min
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About

Our mission at Empowered 2 Advocate is for you to feel confident that you have the support, information, resources and expertise to be your child’s biggest advocate. Our goal is to make sure you get there. Listen each Friday for easy to digest and implementable tips, tools and strategies!

Information

  • Creator
    Michelle Farrell
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2025
  • Episodes
    50
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Michelle Farrell
  • Show Website
    Empowered 2 Advocate