Utah advocates who help with evaluations, IEP goals, Section 504 plans, and school meetings. Rates are listed on each profile.
1 based in Utah · 8 virtual advocates who work with Utah schools
Most parents hire one after a meeting has already gone badly.
Families across Utah call for the same two reasons. A school has said no to testing, or a service that used to be in the plan is gone.
Before the meeting an advocate reads the plan against the evaluation and pulls the progress data to see whether the goals actually moved.
Families in West Valley City ask for progress data as a table of dates and numbers rather than a paragraph, because a table shows whether a goal moved and a paragraph does not.
This advocate lists Utah as their home base. Compare rates, read their background, and message them directly.
By video
Join on Zoom, Google Meet, or the school's platform.
By phone
Call in when video is not an option.
In person
Some advocates travel to the school when needed.
Based in Elmo, UT
Parent Advocate or School Navigation Consultant.
With a Master's in School Counseling and years inside public schools, I bring an insider's perspective. I've led hundreds of IEP and 504 meetings, backed by specialized legal training.
These advocates are not based in Utah. They join IEP meetings by video or phone, which IDEA allows when you and the school agree.
Virtual · based in Harrisburg, PA · works with Utah schools
Special Education Advocate
I’m a special education teacher with experience supporting students with behavioral, intellectual, and learning needs.
Virtual · based in Atlanta, GA · works with Utah schools
School Psychologist & Parent Advocate
I’m a certified School Psychologist, Parent Advocate, and Coach dedicated to helping families navigate special education with confidence.
Virtual · based in Kansas City, MO · works with Utah schools
Navigate Special Education with Clarity and Confidence - Guiding Families. Building Futures.
Dr. Diane is a special education advocate and founder of Steppingstone Services, LLC. She holds a Ph.D.
Virtual · based in Lamar, CO · works with Utah schools
Special Education Advocate
I’ve been a science teacher, a Director of Financial Aid, and a Dean of Students at a rural community college — always at the table with students and families navigating systems not built for them.
Virtual · based in Austin, TX · works with Utah schools
Special Education Advocate
Hi, My name is David Gonzales. Living in Austin, TX, but originally from Los Angeles, CA. I carry a masters degree in special education and currently practice as a sped teacher.
Virtual · based in Arlington Heights, IL · works with Utah schools
Special Education Advocate
I am a former special education teacher, with experience in public and therapeutic day schools.
Virtual · based in San Antonio, TX · works with Utah schools
Special Education Advocate | National COPAA Instructor
As an experienced Special Education Advocate, Executive Function Specialist, and expert IEP Coach, I offer families pathways to ensure they are informed, prepared, and confident as they navigate…
Virtual · based in Los Angeles, CA · works with Utah schools
Strategic Special Education Advocate
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.
A written state complaint goes to the Utah State Board of Education, Special Education Services and not to the school your child attends.
Scale is not the point. A district with one experienced case manager often runs better meetings than a district with forty schools.
States are allowed to write their own evaluation deadline instead of using the federal one. What Utah requires is 45 school days.
Keep every email. Much of what an advocate does with a file is date-stamping what the school already told you.
The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) does not accept emailed complaints. Send the signed form by mail to the State Director of Special Education, USBE, PO Box 144200, Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4200. You can also fax it to (801) 538-7991 or hand deliver it to 250 East 500 South.
Decision timeline
The 60-day clock starts once both USBE and your school district hold copies, so filing with one of them alone does not start it. Anything that arrives after 5 p.m. mountain time, or on a weekend or holiday, counts as received the next business day.
Utah does not license or certify special education advocates. Anyone here can print a card with the word advocate on it.
No district can approve or bar an advocate. Federal rules let a parent bring anyone with knowledge of the child to the meeting.
An advocate cannot make a district agree. What moves a district is the record you build, and a good advocate spends more hours on the record than in the room.
What worked for a family in Salt Lake City may not fit yours, and the first thing worth asking an advocate is what is different about your file.
One advocate listed here, Jessica, gives an Utah home address. The rest reach families in the state by video or by driving in.
Ask for two references from cases like yours. Somebody who cannot produce one has not worked many.
Federal rules put no distance requirement on who a parent may bring. Your advocate does not have to live in Utah.
Ask how the meeting will run before you hire. A school that has never held a video IEP will need lead time.
How it works
Find Parent Advocates is a free directory, not a referral service. You browse profiles, compare rates and reviews, and contact the advocate you choose. We do not assign anyone to you.
Browse
Browse by city or take the statewide list. The rules are the same either way.
Contact
Write to two people rather than six. The first email should carry the district and the meeting date.
Hire
Approve the hours in advance. Most advocates will not bill past an agreed number without asking.
Work together
Keep the timeline updated as things happen. It is the document every later step is built from.
Find Parent Advocates is not a party to your contractual relationship with the advocate. We are not responsible for the fees or services provided.
Answers about hiring a special education advocate in Utah, including cost, timing, virtual support, and Section 504 help.
How much does an IEP advocate cost in Utah?
Most advocates on this directory charge $75 to $150 per hour. A standard cycle with two hours of prep and two hours in the meeting runs about $400. Travel and extra meetings cost more.
Do I need a lawyer or an advocate for my child?
An advocate is not a lawyer and cannot give legal advice or file a lawsuit. What an advocate can do is build the written record a lawyer would need later.
How many advocates on this page are based in Utah?
No advocate is listed in every town, and each card here says where that person lives. Somebody who knows the state rules and has an opening this month usually beats the nearest name on the list.
What records should I ask for before an IEP meeting?
A district can charge for copies. Asking to inspect the record in person costs nothing under federal rules, and it is usually faster than waiting for a copy set.
Should my child have an IEP or a Section 504 plan?
An IEP provides specialized instruction and related services under IDEA. A 504 plan provides accommodations under a civil rights law and does not require specialized instruction. Eligibility rules differ, so a child can qualify for one and not the other.
Who decides a special education complaint in Utah?
Three routes stay open when you disagree. Mediation is voluntary for both sides, a written state complaint is decided on the record by the Utah State Board of Education, and a due process hearing takes evidence.
These links connect you to your state education agency and complaint options. Advocates on this page can also explain what each step means for your child.
Last reviewed 2026-08-11.
