Skip to content

Find the right advocate, fast and affordable

Hire an expert advocate for IEP and 504 meetings, evaluations, and school disputes.

Get matched Browse all

0 parents used Find Parent Advocates during the 2025–2026 school year. Thank you!

Work with the best

Professional advocates ready to help

Most advocates have state, local, and school-based experience. Now, that experience works for you.

Browse all advocates

Why parents hire us

Get support for the school moments that matter most

  • Routine IEP and 504 meetings. Bring someone who reviews the plan, helps you ask for the right supports, and keeps next steps clear.

  • Independent Educational Evaluations. If the school's testing does not tell the whole story, we help you understand your rights and request an IEE.

  • Mediation. When conversations with the school have broken down, we help you prepare for and attend special education mediation.

  • State complaints. If services, deadlines, or parent rights are being ignored, we help draft and file a clear complaint.

  • Behavior and discipline support. Get help before MDRs, FBAs, BIPs, or discipline meetings so behavior needs are understood.

  • And everything in between. If you know school is not working but are not sure what to ask for, we help you sort out the next step.

Do I need an advocate?

Who advocates are

Experience from the systems parents face

  • Former teachers and special educators. Many know how classrooms, IEP goals, accommodations, and service minutes work day to day.

  • Former related service providers. Some come from speech, OT, counseling, behavior, or other student support roles.

  • Former administrators and coordinators. Others have led IEP meetings, managed programs, or helped schools make placement decisions.

  • Past compliance and dispute experience. Some have worked with records, timelines, complaints, mediation, or special education procedures.

Browse advocates

The role of an advocate

Special education has rules. Advocates help parents use them

A special education advocate is an experienced parent-side professional who helps families navigate IEPs, 504 plans, evaluations, behavior supports, written school decisions, and dispute options.

Advocates are not school employees, and they are not there to replace the parent. Their role is to help parents understand the process, organize the record, prepare specific requests, attend meetings, track deadlines, and follow up when services are delayed, denied, reduced, or not implemented.

Find Parent Advocates helps you evaluate advocates before you hire. Compare advocates by background, specialties, rates, reviews, service areas, virtual availability, and the kinds of school problems they handle.

Common ways advocates support parents

Can an advocate come to IEP meetings?

Yes. Advocates help parents prepare, ask for services, and attend with a knowledgeable person they choose. IDEA allows parents to invite people with knowledge or special expertise. 34 CFR § 300.321

Can they help with records and meeting notices?

Advocates can help parents review records, understand meeting notices, and participate in decisions about identification, evaluation, services, and placement. 300.322, 300.501

Can they help with evaluations or IEEs?

Advocates can help parents read testing, spot gaps, request additional evaluations, or ask for an independent educational evaluation when they disagree with the school. 300.502

Can they help get school decisions in writing?

Advocates can help parents ask the school to put decisions in writing, including what was refused, why, and what information the school relied on. 300.503

Can they help with behavior or discipline?

Advocates can help families prepare for FBAs, BIPs, manifestation determination reviews, removals, and discipline meetings where disability-related behavior is at issue. 300.324, 300.530

Can they help with mediation or complaints?

Advocates can help parents prepare for special education mediation or draft and file state complaints with the facts, alleged violations, and requested resolution. 300.506, 300.153

Can they help with due process?

Advocates can help parents understand hearing steps, organize facts, and prepare for resolution meetings. Hearing representation by non-attorneys depends on state law. 300.512

Can they help with 504 plans?

Advocates can help parents ask for evaluations, accommodations, placement changes, records, and safeguards under Section 504 when a child needs disability-related support. U.S. Department of Education

How it works

Choose how you want to find support

1

Start your way

Browse directly or answer a few questions for better matches.

2

Compare real options

Review specialties, rates, reviews, location, and virtual options.

3

Save or contact

Save advocates for later or reach out when you're ready.

Get matched Browse advocates

We meet you where you are

Great help does not have to be local

You can often hire an advocate outside your state. They can help coordinate with the school and attend meetings in person , by video , or by phone .

Get matched Browse advocates

IDEA allows video conferences and conference calls when parents and schools agree. 34 CFR § 300.328 & 34 CFR § 300.322(c).

Browse by state

Find local or regional experts

IDEA and Section 504 apply nationwide, but some cases require deep local knowledge. Find it here.

Parent and child looking at a laptop together

Browse all 50 states

Parent reviews

What families say

Other frequently asked questions

We'll take it from here

Share a little bit about you and your situation and we'll match you with the right advocate. Takes about 2 minutes.

Get matched Sign in