Michelle’s Special Education Advocacy

Services and Coaching Packages

Advocate With Calm And Get The Results Needed.

If your child’s needs are being ignored, you are not overreacting. If your gut says something is wrong, you are probably right.

I help parents of children with IEPs and 504 plans—no matter the diagnosis or unique learning needs—cut through delays and excuses, using a calm but firm approach to ensure your child’s needs are met without getting lost in “wait and see” meetings.

While I specialize in sensory processing, ADHD, autism, and executive functioning challenges, I support all families seeking clear, confident advocacy so their child can thrive in school.

Schedule Your Free Consultation!!!
Logo for Michelle's Special Education Advocacy with a large stylized 'M' decorated with floral illustrations on a beige background.

Discover What Sets Me Apart!

I am a Master IEP Coach® with over five years of professional and personal experience.

I don’t just show up at meetings. I help you decode your child’s needs, prepare your advocacy strategy together, and walk with you every step of the way so you can stop second-guessing and start seeing progress. I don't believe in speaking on behalf of the parents, but I will ensure your voice is heard with a partnership.

Part of the Master IEP Coach®️ Network.

As a Master IEP Coach®️, I have real-time access to a national network of professionals, including Psychologists, Speech-language pathologists, Occupational therapists, and other experts who are involved in the IEP process. As fellow Master IEP Coaches, we share the latest best practices in special education through daily internal communications and Professional development within our network weekly. While collaborating with you, I can leverage my network to gain additional professional insights, explanations of evaluations, and strategic guidance. This ensures you receive the most informed and up-to-date advocacy possible, all while maintaining your child’s confidentiality.

You can view my network listing on the Master IEP Coach®️ Directory for transparency and reassurance.

 

In-Person and Remote Services

Michelle proudly serves families and districts across the nation from Oscoda, MI.

Michelle is in-person for IEP Meetings and Coaching within a 100-mile radius of Iosco County, MI, while virtual services are accessible nationwide.

How My Advocacy Packages Work

(Please read this once — it applies to every package below)

My advocacy services are built around clarity, coaching, and collaboration. While each package includes a set number of hours, not everything uses those hours.

  • Every package includes a one-time comprehensive document review at no additional cost.

    This review is the foundation of my work and allows me to fully understand your child’s educational history before any meetings or strategy planning begins.

    This review may include:

    • Current and prior IEPs or 504 Plans

    • Evaluation reports (educational, psychological, OT, speech, etc.)

    • Review of services rendered, goals, accommodations, and modifications

    • Identification of gaps in data, services, or compliance

    • Review of IEP wording and alignment between needs, goals, and services

    When a student is approaching reevaluation, I may review records going back up to three years to identify patterns, missed data, or areas that need updating.

    This document review typically takes 3–4 hours and includes written notes.
    It is included in every package and does not deduct from your hourly balance.

  • Your package hours are used for active advocacy and coaching, including:

    Meeting Preparation
    This includes:

    • Preparing parent input statements

    • Identifying what needs to be addressed at the IEP table

    • Reviewing classroom or teacher input

    • Reviewing IEP drafts before meetings

    • Email communication with the school

    • Strategy planning to keep meetings productive and focused

  • Meeting attendance is always optional and occurs only at the parent’s request.

    • Attendance may be in person or virtual (Google Meet, Zoom, etc.)

    • Each meeting attended uses 1 hour from your package

    • Travel time does not count toward hours

    • In-person and virtual attendance are billed the same

    Each package includes a different number of meeting hours.
    Higher-tier packages allow for attendance at more meetings.

    If additional meetings are requested after package hours are used, meetings may be added at $150 per meeting.

  • The following are included at no charge:

    • Pre-meeting and post-meeting debriefs

    • Strategy reflections after meetings

    • Quick clarifying questions related to ongoing advocacy work

    • Parent rights explained

    These supports are built into my services to ensure you are not left guessing or overwhelmed.

  • When I attend meetings, I am a member of the IEP team, supporting collaborative discussion and clarity.

    • I am not legal counsel

    • I do not replace the parent

    • The parent retains final decision-making authority at all times

    At a parent’s request, I may communicate with the school or submit documents on your behalf.
    When this occurs:

    • A FERPA release is provided to the district as required by law

    • The parent is always present for verbal communication

    • The parent is CC’d on all written communication

    My role is to support, guide, and advocate — never to override the parent’s voice.

  • Every contract is good for One calendar year to date of the beginning of the contract date.

Advocacy Package Options

Each package offers a different level of support, not a different quality of service.

The difference is how much guidance and IEP/504 meeting support your family's needs over time.

Each package includes a foundational document review and a set number of hours that may be used for coaching, meeting preparation, and IEP/504 meeting attendance.

Meeting attendance is optional and parent-directed. Each meeting attended uses 1 hour from the package.

A flat lay of a coffee cup filled with coffee, a woven basket, a gray notebook, and a bowl of gold clips on a white surface with a white card displaying the text 'Calm Start, 3 Flexible Hours' in black script.

$475.oo

Best for parents who need clarity and a plan.

This package is designed for families who are feeling unsure, overwhelmed, or stuck — and need expert guidance to understand what matters most right now.

Choose Calm Start if:

  • You want a professional review of your child’s educational records

  • You are preparing for an upcoming IEP or 504 meeting

  • You need help understanding what to ask for and how to say it

  • You want clear next steps without committing to ongoing advocacy yet

Includes:

  • One comprehensive document review (foundation of services)

  • Meeting preparation and strategy planning

  • Coaching support to clarify priorities and next steps

  • Meeting attendance: optional — up to 1 meeting if hours are used for attendance

  • Direct Voxer/secure messaging for urgent questions

Typical use:

  • One IEP or 504 meeting or

  • Document review plus strategy coaching

This package is also appropriate for families who want a document-review-only service.

A flat lay of a white coffee cup filled with coffee on a saucer, a small bowl with gold binder clips, a woven basket, and a closed book on a white surface with a white background.

$750.00

Best for parents who want support before and after an important meeting.

This package provides additional time to prepare, attend, and reflect — so decisions made at the table do not get lost afterward.

Choose Calm Confidence if:

  • You are heading into a high-stakes IEP or eligibility meeting

  • You want support implementing what was agreed upon

  • You want reassurance that follow-up steps are handled correctly

  • You benefit from guidance across more than one conversation

Includes:

  • One comprehensive document review

  • Pre-meeting planning with a clear advocacy strategy

  • Post-meeting coaching and reflection

  • Ongoing strategy coaching calls or emails

  • Meeting attendance: up to 2 meetings

  • Direct Voxer/secure messaging for urgent questions

Typical use:

  • Preparation and attendance for two meetings

  • Or one meeting with extended follow-up and coaching

A white coffee cup filled with coffee on a saucer, a woven basket, a gray notebook, and a white bowl with gold binder clips on a white table.

$950.oo

+$250 for each additional student

Best for families who need consistent advocacy across multiple meetings.

This package is designed for families navigating complex needs, multiple services, or ongoing school challenges.

Choose Ongoing Advocacy if:

  • Your child’s plan needs repeated revisions or monitoring

  • You anticipate multiple IEP or support meetings

  • You want an advocate who understands your case over time

  • You do not want to start from scratch at every meeting

Includes:

  • Two comprehensive document reviews

  • Strategy planning and coaching throughout the year

  • Email support between meetings

  • Ongoing coaching and check-ins

  • Meeting attendance: up to 3 meetings

  • Direct Voxer/secure messaging for urgent questions

Typical use:

  • Multiple IEP meetings across the year

  • Planning, attendance, and follow-up support

A flat lay of a white table with a mug of coffee on a saucer, a woven basket, a gray notebook, and a bowl of gold-colored binder clips, with overlay text reading "Pathway to Progress" and "15 Flexible Hours."

$1200.oo

+$250 for each additional student

Best for families who want a longer-term advocacy partnership.

This package allows space for reevaluations, follow-up meetings, and deeper planning without feeling rushed.

Choose Pathway to Progress if:

  • Your child is approaching reevaluation

  • You are addressing layered academic, behavioral, or support needs

  • You want priority access and flexibility

  • You want support across multiple phases of the school year

Includes:

  • Two comprehensive document review

  • Extended strategy planning and advocacy support

  • Email support between meetings

  • Ongoing coaching calls and email support

  • Priority scheduling

  • Meeting attendance: up to 4 meetings

  • Direct Voxer/secure messaging for urgent questions

Typical use:

  • Reevaluations or multi-phase planning

  • Several meetings plus continued coaching

A white cup filled with coffee on a saucer, a woven basket, a book, and a small dish with gold clips on a white surface.

$1700.oo

Unlimited Hours
+$400 for each additional student

Best for families who need high-touch, ongoing advocacy without limits.

This package is designed for urgent, complex, or evolving situations where support may be needed frequently.

Choose VIP Advocacy if:

  • Your child’s needs are significant or rapidly changing

  • You want consistent access to guidance

  • You prefer not to track hours or limits

  • You want an advocate fully integrated into your case

Includes:

  • Multiple comprehensive document reviews

  • Unlimited coaching, strategy sessions, and email support

  • Meeting attendance: unlimited IEP/504 meetings (virtual or in person)

  • Priority scheduling for all services

  • Direct Voxer/secure messaging

  • Consistent, high-level guidance whenever issues arise

From Confusion to Confidence — In Their Words

  • New York 1st Grade Parent

    Michelle helped my family get through a very overwhelming and long evaluation process with my son. She found all of the red flags that everyone else missed! So glad we had Michelle walk us through this process, couldn't have done it without her!

  • Parent of 3rd Grade Student

    “I used to cry before every IEP meeting. Now I walk in knowing what to say, what to ask for, and how to stay calm. Michelle didn’t just advocate for us — she taught me how to advocate for my child without feeling lost.”

  • Parent, Behavior/Discipline Support

    “Our child was constantly being suspended for behavior connected to disability needs. Michelle helped us understand what should have been in place all along. After one MDR meeting with her guidance, the tone changed and the support finally matched our child’s needs.”

  • Michigan 5th Grade Parent

    “I thought I needed a lawyer, but what I really needed was clarity. Michelle helped me understand the process and communicate in a way that moved things forward. We finally made progress.”

  • Michigan 6th Grade Parent

    Michelle helped us understand what was missing in our son’s IEP and gave us the confidence to ask for what he needed. For the first time, we felt prepared going into the meeting, and we left knowing we finally had a plan that fits him

  • Georgia 8th Grade Parent

    I didn’t know how much was being overlooked in my daughter’s evaluations until Michelle explained it in a way I could understand. She helped us request the additional testing we needed, and now we finally have clear answers and a path forward.

What’s Included in Every Package

(Applies to all advocacy packages)

  • I help you understand what is included in your child’s plan, what may be missing, and whether supports are aligned with your child’s current needs. This ensures conversations at the IEP table are grounded in data and clarity rather than confusion or pressure.

  • Evaluations drive eligibility, services, goals, and placement decisions — but many parents are handed reports without clear explanations of what the data actually means or how it should be used.

    I review your child’s evaluations to determine:

    • Whether the assessments fully capture your child’s needs

    • What the data does — and does not — show

    • Whether results align with your child’s classroom experience

    • If key areas were overlooked, under-assessed, or interpreted too narrowly

    When evaluation data is incomplete, outdated, or does not clearly explain your child’s challenges, I guide you through next steps. This may include support with:

    • Requesting additional assessments

    • Clarifying eligibility questions

    • Identifying when outside or independent evaluations may be appropriate

    • Preparing language and documentation to support evaluation-related requests

    My role is to help you understand the evaluations you already have, recognize when more information is needed, and use data strategically — so decisions about your child’s services are grounded in clarity, not assumptions.

  • Behavior plans are meant to support a child — not control them, punish them, or simply manage behavior on paper. Unfortunately, many families are handed BIPs that are reactive, generic, or disconnected from the child’s actual needs.

    I review Functional Behavior Assessments (FBAs) and Behavior Intervention Plans (BIPs) to determine whether the plan truly reflects why a behavior is occurring and whether the strategies being used are appropriate, proactive, and skill-building.

    This support includes:

    • Reviewing the FBA to ensure behavior is accurately defined, data-driven, and interpreted correctly

    • Identifying whether the proposed interventions match the function of the behavior

    • Noting gaps between what is written in the plan and what is realistic or supportive in the classroom

    • Identifying when behavior is being treated as a compliance issue rather than a signal of unmet needs

    When concerns are identified, I help parents understand what questions to ask, what language to use, and how to advocate for adjustments that better support regulation, communication, and skill development. This may include advocating for changes to strategies, supports, data collection methods, or alignment with the child’s IEP goals and services.

    My role is not to design or implement behavior therapy, but to ensure that behavior plans used in school are appropriate, ethical, aligned with your child’s educational needs, and focused on long-term success — not short-term control.

  • When a child is struggling at school, discipline is often the first response — even when the behavior is directly connected to unmet needs, disability-related challenges, or gaps in supports. This can leave parents feeling blamed, pressured, or unsure of how to respond.

    I help parents understand how school discipline, behavior incidents, suspensions, and staff responses connect to their child’s IEP or 504 protections. My role is to help you make sense of what is happening, determine whether the school’s response is appropriate, and prepare you to advocate calmly and effectively for your child.

    This support includes:

    • Reviewing discipline patterns and incident history to identify concerns or trends

    • Helping parents understand when behavior may be related to disability and unmet needs

    • Clarifying how IEPs and 504 Plans should guide school responses to behavior

    • Strengthening parent input so concerns are documented clearly and accurately

    • Preparing talking points and questions that keep conversations focused on support, not blame

    When disciplinary action escalates, I also support families through more formal processes. This includes preparation for and attendance at Manifestation Determination Review (MDR) meetings when applicable. I help parents understand the purpose of the MDR, what must be considered, what questions matter, and how to ensure the discussion stays grounded in the child’s disability, data, and educational supports.

    My goal is not to create conflict with the school, but to ensure that discipline decisions are thoughtful, appropriate, and aligned with your child’s rights and needs. Parents should never feel alone or reactive when navigating discipline — and this support helps you stay grounded, informed, and focused on solutions.

  • Coaching is the heart of my services. Package hours are primarily used to:

    • Teach parents how to advocate effectively for their child

    • Explain parent rights in clear, usable language

    • Support respectful, productive communication with school teams

    • Rewrite or draft emails and parent input statements

    • Prepare for meetings without escalating conflict

    My goal is to build your confidence so you are not dependent on advocacy support long-term.

  • I prepare you ahead of meetings by reviewing drafts, clarifying priorities, and identifying what needs to be addressed at the table. After meetings, we reflect together to confirm what was agreed upon, identify next steps, and adjust strategy as needed.

    Pre- and post-meeting debriefs and strategy reflections are included at no additional charge.

  • Meeting attendance is always optional.

    • Attendance may be in person or virtual (Google Meet, Zoom, etc.)

    • Each meeting attended uses 1 hour from your package

    • Travel time does not count toward hours

    • Virtual and in-person attendance are billed the same

    • Each package includes a different number of meetings

    • Additional meetings beyond package hours are available at $150 per meeting

  • At a parent’s request, I may submit documents or communicate directly with the school district. When this occurs:

    • A FERPA release is provided to the district as required by law

    • The parent is always present for verbal communication

    • The parent is CC’d on all written communication

    I support collaboration and clarity while ensuring the parent remains fully informed and involved.

  • Have a quick question before sending an email? Need help understanding a report or unfamiliar terminology? You have access to support so you can move forward with clarity rather than overwhelm.

    Voxer is your information dump and thinking space — not a place where you need to have the perfect words.

    Parents use Voxer to share what is happening in real time so important details are not lost, minimized, or forgotten. You can send messages as things come up, whether that is an email from the school, notes from a meeting, concerns from your child’s day, or questions you are not quite sure how to ask yet.

    This support includes:

    • Asking quick questions before responding to school emails

    • Sharing reports, drafts, or meeting notes that need clarification

    • Talking through confusing language, recommendations, or next steps

    • Brain-dumping concerns so they can be organized into clear advocacy points

    You do not need to filter, edit, or organize your thoughts before reaching out. Voxer allows you to get information out of your head and into a place where it can be reviewed, clarified, and turned into a plan.

    My role is to help you make sense of what you are seeing, hearing, and experiencing — so you can communicate calmly, confidently, and with purpose.

You do not need to have everything figured out before booking.
If you are unsure which package fits your situation, we will decide together.

CONTACT MICHELLE TODAY!!