one last word from the professional side

[Guest guest]

Hi all:

I would like to share an email I received from Terrie Varnet, one of our IPADDU

members who happens to be a parent and one of our legal experts. This is a very

good explanation of the fine line between sharing general information versus

providing fee for service information. Laurie, Marie and I are very grateful

for the assistance we get from our knowledgeable member-experts and we hope all

of our IPADDU members understand the limits of their assistance.

Hi Ellen, When I joined IPADD, I did so as a mom and not as an attorney.

That's why I write on my email and not on my work email. However, because

I have worked as a school social worker and since 1989 as an attorney I am

fortunate to have information that the typical mom doesn't have which I'm always

happy to share. When parents from IPADD call asking for points of clarification

and general information, I'm always willing to provide " general " advice.

However sometimes callers will ask very specific questions about their own

personal situations and I have to decline to answer specific questions with

specific answers without completing an intake which means opening a file. The

reason for this is if I don't have a full picture, I could respond to the

specific question being asked with the wrong information. So many times the

answer varies with the circumstances which is why I am not able to answer

specific questions with a specific answer without asking more questions. I

can't speak for other professionals but general advice I'm happy to provide.

Specific advice requires opening a file which may result in a fee depending on

the circumstances.

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

egskb@...