Looking for an IEP advocate in California? This guide profiles 3 verified special education advocates on Find Parent Advocates, with real bios, specialties, service areas, and pricing where published.
Parents often search "IEP advocate near me in California" and "how much does an IEP advocate cost" before they hire. The pricing table below uses what each advocate publishes on their profile. Full profiles follow.
How much does an IEP advocate cost in California?
Among advocates who publish hourly rates on Find Parent Advocates, listed rates in California range from $200 to $250 per hour (2 of 3 in this guide).
| Advocate | City | Pricing | Service area |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sara Westin | Los Angeles | $250/hr | In-person and virtual |
| April Rehrig | Torrance | Packages | In-person within ~100 miles of Torrance |
| Sanford Autism Advocacy Group | San Diego | $200/hr | In-person (within ~100 miles) and virtual |
Note on pricing Rates shown are what each advocate lists on their profile. Flexible and package advocates may quote a flat fee after a free consultation. Always confirm scope and total cost before work begins.
How to choose an IEP advocate in California
Match the advocate to your issue, not just your zip code. Common focus areas in this California directory include Autism, Other Health Impairment, Speech/Language, IDEA, Section 504.
- Define the task. Do you need a one-time IEP meeting, ongoing support, or help filing a California state complaint?
- Check service area. Advocates in Los Angeles, Torrance, San Diego may serve multiple metros in person, virtually, or both.
- Compare pricing models. Hourly, flexible, and package pricing all appear in this guide. Ask what is included and whether a retainer is required.
- Read the full profile. Bios, credentials, languages, and parent feedback are on each advocate's page.
Browse California advocates: search the California directory · California state landing page · IEP meeting advocates in CA.
Best IEP advocates in California
Advocates with published rates and complete profiles appear first. Each section uses data from the advocate's Find Parent Advocates profile.
Sara Westin
I combine the precision of a Columbia Law attorney with over a decade of special education leadership to help Los Angeles families navigate the IEP process with clarity, confidence, and results. I have supported families across the full spectrum of educational environments—including Resource (RSP), Special Day Class (SDC), and Non-Public School (NPS) placements and with a wide range of needs, including ADHD, Autism, Intellectual Disabilities, TBI, and Emotional Disturbance.
| Location | Los Angeles, CA |
|---|---|
| Service area | In-person and virtual |
| Pricing | $250/hr |
| Languages | English |
April Rehrig
Background: Board Certified Education Advocate (BCEA), Fellow · Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP) #4012 · Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist (ASDCS) · School Psychologist, PPS · Multiple Subject Teaching Credential (CLAD) · Master IEP Coach
I’m April, and I'm totally excited to help you develop a solid action plan for your child!
After writing thousands of reports and just as many IEPs, I developed breakthrough coaching methods, Do It Yourself IEP Workshops, affordable templates, and IEP advocacy services that get RESULTS.
I work both virtually and in person in the Los Angeles area and Southern California.
As founder of Rise Educational Advocacy and Consulting, I'll help you Build a Better IEP!™️
| Location | Torrance, CA |
|---|---|
| Service area | In-person within ~100 miles of Torrance |
| Pricing | Package pricing (contact for quote) |
| Age groups | Early childhood (ages 3–5), Elementary, Middle school, High school, transition |
| Languages | English |
Sanford Autism Advocacy Group
Background: Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist · Certified Speech-Language Pathologist · Special Education Law and Advocacy Series Certificate · ARC @ School Advocacy Certificate
At the Sanford Autism Advocacy Group (SAAG), we are a small but mighty special education consulting group with an emphasis on Autism and IEPs. Our director, Crystal Sanford, is the parent of an autistic child and has a sibling with developmental disabilities. Crystal is also a Speech-Language Pathologist with over 25 years of practice in Southern CA. We are passionate about empowering families so that neurodivergent children receive the education they deserve.
All of our advocates have professional training as well as lived experience with federal law IDEA and IEPs. We love to come alongside families through strategic parent coaching, IEP document analysis, virtual conferences or trainings (funded by the CA Regional Center), as well as attendance at IEP meetings.
Every team member at SAAG is also either a parent or family member to a child on the autism spectrum, so we "get you because we are you"!
| Location | San Diego, CA |
|---|---|
| Service area | In-person (within ~100 miles) and virtual |
| Pricing | $200/hr |
| Age groups | Early childhood (ages 3–5), Elementary, Middle school, High school, transition |
| Languages | English, Spanish |
Common questions about IEP advocates in California
How much does an IEP advocate cost in California?
In this California directory, published hourly rates range from $200 to $250 per hour. Many advocates also use flexible or package pricing. A focused IEP review or one meeting often takes 2–3 hours. Ask for a written estimate before you hire.
How do I find an IEP advocate in California?
Start with verified profiles on Find Parent Advocates, your state Parent Training and Information (PTI) center, and local special education parent groups. Compare specialties, service area (in-person vs virtual), and pricing before you book a consultation.
Where can I find an IEP advocate near Los Angeles, CA?
Advocates in this guide serve Los Angeles and other California metros in person, virtually, or both. Use the California search at https://findparentadvocates.com/find-advocates?q=California to filter by city and specialty.
What should I ask before hiring a California special education advocate?
Ask about their experience with your child's disability area, whether they attend IEP meetings, how they bill, and what documents they need from you. Request a scope estimate in writing for the first phase of work.
Can I hire an advocate for just one IEP meeting in California?
Yes. Many parents hire an advocate for a single meeting or a short file review. Several advocates in this guide list meeting attendance and consultation as core services.
Are these the only IEP advocates in California?
This guide features advocates with active profiles on Find Parent Advocates. California has additional advocates through PTI centers, school district family resource units, and local parent groups. Browse the full directory at Find Parent Advocates.