One Last Desperate Plea for HELP!!!!

[Guest guest]

Hi, everyone --

Okay, I know I sound like a broken record...I apologize in advance. But I need HELP big time and, unfortunately, I need it last week.

An Advocate...a parent advocate...someone who could answer the questions the school throws at me with lightning speed, and possibly even come to a meeting with me and help me fight for my kid. I had no idea that it would be easier to nail Jell-O to a tree than to find a parent advocate. Does anyone have any other ideas?

Here's what I've tried and what I've received in response:

I spoke to Caruso -- Very nice, very well-versed; but she's the Vice-Chair of ASO...I don't think she goes to meetings with parents and helps them duke it out for their kids. She said I could call her if I had any further questions, but I think her job is elsewhere from what I need. She also didn't feel very comfortable answering my questions about the release forms from Hades, which I completely understand and respect. She directed me to Ohio Legal Rights, and they were, of course, closed...and I was told I needed to get the form in by Monday...this was Friday late afternoon when I received it.

I called OCECD. Again, very nice -- you should see the pile of information they sent me! Holy Reams of Paper, Batman!!! I bet the mailman hates me right about now! Oh, well...anyway, they sent me to my local parent mentor. I called her...nice lady, but her answers to all my questions were, "I don't know." She was very pro-school...I'm not anti-school, but something is clearly screwed up with my kid. I am the most reasonable person I know, but I'm also not going to throw my kid under the proverbial bus. I guess after talking to her, I feel I need a neutral party...and I don't feel she's that neutral.

I called ARC of Ohio. They have one lone advocate for our area...and she is swamped. Hmmm...I wonder why?!?!?!?! So, he might graduate by the time she's able to call me.

Okay, so in light of all that...I have been pressured into signing a release of records form (NOT the medical one -- no way, no how am I signing that thing) that I probably could have dragged out a little longer until I felt more comfortable with how to fill it out. I have asked for a copy of his complete file, and I'm told that I'll be charged 15 cents per page -- and that his file is thick (He's only in first grade?!?!? What the heck?!?!? By the time he graduates, it'll probably rival the Congressional Record). So, they want me to go in tomorrow and pick and choose what I want copied, or we might just end up having to take out a second mortgage. I'm still trying to find out if the person doing the FBA is only going to observe him once, since I've only been given one date (I'm not sure that's a good measure), or more than once. OCALI is doing the FBA, but I haven't received a call back from them -- I called this morning to ask my questions.

Does anyone know of someone who can help me...preferably NOW, not at some nebulous time in the future when this whole mess is done one way or another? I need someone who could answer my questions as they come up (and they seem to be coming up fast!), and someone who could come to the meeting with me. Also, someone with a great knowledge of all the laws and operating standards would be necessary.

Can anyone help? I appreciate all the help and advice so far, but I fear I need a whole lot more. I'm sorry to keep asking the same question, but I find it very frightening that no one is available to help parents like me. That is just downright scary.

Thanks, everyone.

--Suzanne

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[Guest guest]

Sorry, Suzanne, I am not a parent advocate, and not so smooth and smart about evrything involved in your case...I wish I was...butnonetheless, I just don't feel you should be going to this meeting you are talking about UNTIL you are comfortable you have someone competent to advise you. When we worked with an attorney (and yes, that was the fastest, safest, smartest thing we have ever done) things got dragged out a little bit - not much though, because the school wasn't trying to pull anything on me any more. You have not been able to line up an advocate or someone else to go with you to advise you about everything, therefore, the time given to you to prepare for the meeting was unreasonable. Ask for more time....! SBShaft@... wrote: Hi, everyone -- Okay, I know I sound like a broken record...I apologize in advance. But I need HELP big time and, unfortunately, I need it last week. An Advocate...a parent advocate...someone who could answer the questions the school throws at me with lightning speed, and possibly even come to a meeting with me and help me fight for my kid. I had no idea that it would be easier to nail Jell-O to a tree than to find a parent advocate. Does anyone have any other ideas? Here's what I've tried and what I've received in response: I spoke to Caruso -- Very nice, very well-versed; but she's the Vice-Chair of ASO...I don't think she goes to meetings with parents and helps them duke it out for their kids. She said I could call her if I had any further questions, but I think her job is elsewhere from what I need. She also didn't feel very comfortable answering my questions about the release forms from Hades, which I completely understand and respect. She directed me to Ohio Legal Rights, and they were, of course, closed...and I was told I needed to get the form in by Monday...this was Friday late afternoon when I received it. I called OCECD. Again, very nice -- you should see the pile of information they sent me! Holy Reams of Paper, Batman!!! I bet the mailman hates me right about now!

Oh, well...anyway, they sent me to my local parent mentor. I called her...nice lady, but her answers to all my questions were, "I don't know." She was very pro-school...I'm not anti-school, but something is clearly screwed up with my kid. I am the most reasonable person I know, but I'm also not going to throw my kid under the proverbial bus. I guess after talking to her, I feel I need a neutral party...and I don't feel she's that neutral. I called ARC of Ohio. They have one lone advocate for our area...and she is swamped. Hmmm...I wonder why?!?!?!?! So, he might graduate by the time she's able to call me. Okay, so in light of all that...I have been pressured into signing a release of records form (NOT the medical one -- no way, no how am I signing that thing) that I probably could have dragged out a little longer until I felt more comfortable with how to

fill it out. I have asked for a copy of his complete file, and I'm told that I'll be charged 15 cents per page -- and that his file is thick (He's only in first grade?!?!? What the heck?!?!? By the time he graduates, it'll probably rival the Congressional Record). So, they want me to go in tomorrow and pick and choose what I want copied, or we might just end up having to take out a second mortgage. I'm still trying to find out if the person doing the FBA is only going to observe him once, since I've only been given one date (I'm not sure that's a good measure), or more than once. OCALI is doing the FBA, but I haven't received a call back from them -- I called this morning to ask my questions. Does anyone know of someone who can help me...preferably NOW, not at

some nebulous time in the future when this whole mess is done one way or another? I need someone who could answer my questions as they come up (and they seem to be coming up fast!), and someone who could come to the meeting with me. Also, someone with a great knowledge of all the laws and operating standards would be necessary. Can anyone help? I appreciate all the help and advice so far, but I fear I need a whole lot more. I'm sorry to keep asking the same question, but I find it very frightening that no one is available to help parents like me. That is just downright scary. Thanks, everyone. --Suzanne Check out the new AOL. Most comprehensive

set of free safety and security tools, free access to millions of high-quality videos from across the web, free AOL Mail and more.

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[Guest guest]

I have no clue as to what is going on....I am so new to all of this. The first thing that came to my mind is....."When in doubt, don't do anything!" When you panic, impulsive behaviors tend to take over. Be still and really think about it...What is the worse thing that can happen? This too shall pass. Listen to your gut feelings...and remember the hardest thing to do in life is always the the right thing to do or choose! Alright, I 'm sure you want to hit me over the head with something or tell me to shut up with all this positive B.S.....right? I can't help it...I'm sorry I'm just trying to help you move into a more positive matter...everything around you seems so NEGATIVE! God Bless! SBShaft@... wrote: Hi, everyone -- Okay, I know I sound like a broken record...I apologize in advance. But I need HELP big time and, unfortunately, I need it last week. An Advocate...a parent advocate...someone who could answer the questions the school throws at me with lightning speed, and possibly even come to a meeting with me and help me fight for my kid. I had no idea that it would be easier to nail Jell-O to a tree than to find a parent advocate. Does anyone have any other ideas? Here's what I've tried and what I've received in response: I spoke to Caruso -- Very nice, very well-versed; but she's the Vice-Chair of ASO...I don't think she goes to meetings with parents and helps

them duke it out for their kids. She said I could call her if I had any further questions, but I think her job is elsewhere from what I need. She also didn't feel very comfortable answering my questions about the release forms from Hades, which I completely understand and respect. She directed me to Ohio Legal Rights, and they were, of course, closed...and I was told I needed to get the form in by Monday...this was Friday late afternoon when I received it. I called OCECD. Again, very nice -- you should see the pile of information they sent me! Holy Reams of Paper, Batman!!! I bet the mailman hates me right about now! Oh, well...anyway, they sent me to my local parent mentor. I called her...nice lady, but her answers to all my questions were, "I don't know." She was very pro-school...I'm not anti-school, but something is clearly

screwed up with my kid. I am the most reasonable person I know, but I'm also not going to throw my kid under the proverbial bus. I guess after talking to her, I feel I need a neutral party...and I don't feel she's that neutral. I called ARC of Ohio. They have one lone advocate for our area...and she is swamped. Hmmm...I wonder why?!?!?!?! So, he might graduate by the time she's able to call me. Okay, so in light of all that...I have been pressured into signing a release of records form (NOT the medical one -- no way, no how am I signing that thing) that I probably could have dragged out a little longer until I felt more comfortable with how to fill it out. I have asked for a copy of his complete file, and I'm told that I'll be charged 15 cents per page -- and that his file is thick (He's only in first grade?!?!? What

the heck?!?!? By the time he graduates, it'll probably rival the Congressional Record). So, they want me to go in tomorrow and pick and choose what I want copied, or we might just end up having to take out a second mortgage. I'm still trying to find out if the person doing the FBA is only going to observe him once, since I've only been given one date (I'm not sure that's a good measure), or more than once. OCALI is doing the FBA, but I haven't received a call back from them -- I called this morning to ask my questions. Does anyone know of someone who can help me...preferably NOW, not at some nebulous time in the future when this whole mess is done one way or another? I need someone who could answer my questions as they come up (and they seem to be coming up fast!), and someone who could

come to the meeting with me. Also, someone with a great knowledge of all the laws and operating standards would be necessary. Can anyone help? I appreciate all the help and advice so far, but I fear I need a whole lot more. I'm sorry to keep asking the same question, but I find it very frightening that no one is available to help parents like me. That is just downright scary. Thanks, everyone. --Suzanne Check out the new AOL. Most comprehensive set of free safety and security tools, free access to millions of high-quality videos from across the web, free AOL Mail and more.