The law requires that schools involve parents in decisions regarding their child’s need for special education services. When a parent is not available to advocate for a child’s special education needs and rights, an Education Advocate is assigned to represent the child and protect these rights. Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada provides training and support to volunteers who are willing to become Education Advocates for children with disabilities, ensuring that their schools are meeting their disability-related needs.
Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada is looking for volunteers 18 years of age or older who have no personal or professional interests that conflict with the interest of the student.
To find out more about the Education Advocate Program or to sign up for our next volunteer training, contact us at 702-386-1446 or at
Parent Referral Process
An agency assigning a Volunteer Education Advocate is entrusted with ensuring that the Volunteer Education Advocate assignment follows federal and state requirements.
A child qualifies for an Volunteer Education Advocate when:
- the child is a ward of the state,
- the child’s parents are unknown,
- the child’s parents are unable to be located, or
- the child is an unaccompanied homeless youth
Click here to view the Volunteer Education Advocate Program Referral Form.
FAQs
How do I become a Volunteer Education Advocate?
To become a Volunteer Education Advocate, contact the Volunteer Education Advocate Program at 702-386-1070, ext. 1446, or at
Once a volunteer has completed the training, they will be contacted by Legal Aid Center staff regarding a child who needs a Volunteer Education Advocate. If the volunteer is interested in becoming the Volunteer Education Advocate for the child, Legal Aid Center staff will prepare a court order signed by a judge giving the volunteer the authority to be the Volunteer Education Advocate for the child. Information on how to get started as a Volunteer Education Advocate and how to initiate contact with the child’s school will be provided to volunteers. Legal Aid Center will then provide ongoing support and training to Volunteer Education Advocates.
What are the duties of a Volunteer Education Advocate?
Volunteer Education Advocates represent their child in all matters related to identification, assessment, educational placement, and provision of free appropriate public education (FAPE). This advocacy includes attending Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings, disciplinary meetings, and due process hearings pertaining to the child. Educational Surrogate Parents must be notified of all educational decisions and all meetings that pertain to a child’s special education services.
Volunteer Education Advocates are required to keep in touch with the child’s Child and Family Team (support team for children in the foster care system), the child’s school, and Legal Aid Center to ensure that the child’s disability-related needs are being met.Volunteer Education Advocates have no responsibility for the care, maintenance, financial support, or physical care of the child and aren't liable for actions taken in good faith on behalf of the student in protecting the educational rights of the student.
What rights to information and educational documents do Volunteer Education Advocates have?
Volunteer Education Advocates have all the same rights as natural parents and guardians in all aspects of the special education process and can make all of the decisions that are made by a child’s parents. They include the right to:
- Access and review educational records and progress reports regarding the child’s education.
- Request, consent to, or refuse a child’s special education evaluation(s).
- Receive written and verbal interpretations of the child’s special education evaluations and special education Individualized Education Program (IEP) documents.
- Participate in the development and amendment of the IEP document.
- Request an independent educational evaluation if a child was denied eligibility for special education services.
- Challenge the recommendations of a school by requesting a due process hearing.
- Participate in parent-teacher conferences and in the disciplinary process.
What is the time commitment of a Volunteer Education Advocate?
The time and effort it takes to be a Volunteer Education Advocate is approximately 25 hours throughout the school year. Volunteer Education Advocates must be willing to put in the time necessary to adequately represent the best interests of the child in the special education process.
What are the criteria for becoming a Volunteer Education Advocate?
Special education law only recognizes a parent, foster parent, relative, or Volunteer Education Advocate as parties who may advocate for a child’s special education needs. A person employed by an agency who is involved in the child’s care or education (e.g., anyone working for the local school district, Department of Education, or child welfare agencies) or any person who cannot represent a child’s best interests may not make special education related decisions for that child, nor become a Volunteer Education Advocate.
Can the child’s caseworker, social worker, or therapist make decisions regarding the child’s special education services?
No. In accordance with the law, a person employed by an agency who is involved in the child’s care may not make special education related decisions for that child.
Success Stories
Henry’s Story
Henry was placed in foster care due to neglect. Subsequently, his parents’ legal rights were terminated. Henry was constantly in trouble at school and was almost expelled because he sought out negative attention so kids would like him. Bouncing from home to home, he wasn't anywhere long enough to learn social skills and ways to get positive attention.
Henry was assigned a Volunteer Education Advocate who represented him in an expulsion proceeding. Subsequently, he wasn't expelled. Henry is now doing well in school, participating in extra-curricular activities and making friends for the first time.
Owen’s Story
Owen had witnessed the traumatic death of his father and he was having trouble in school. The school obtained a signature from an unknown acquaintance who consented to Owen’s expulsion.
The Volunteer Education Advocate investigated the suspicious circumstances around the expulsion and took steps to get Owen evaluated. Based on the evaluation results, the advocate negotiated an Individualized Education Plan designed to meet Owen’s needs. It was also determined the school was not the best fit for Owen, so the advocate got him moved to a more appropriate school where the teachers were actually interested in helping Owen succeed. After a few weeks, Owen expressed that he is much happier at his new school and he is showing signs of improvement.
Emma’s Story
Emma was in first grade and had been diagnosed with PTSD and ADHD. She had difficulties in school, both academically as well as behaviorally. The school refused to make accommodations for her even though a report stated that she had intellectual disabilities.
Her Volunteer Education Advocate scheduled school meetings and advocated for Emma to receive accommodations. The advocate was ultimately successful, and now Emma has a 504 plan that provides her with accommodations that address her specific needs. This young student advanced so quickly that within a few months, the Volunteer Education Advocate was no longer needed.
