Educational Advocacy Levels of Service

Educational Advocacy utilizes three levels of service in order to provide advocacy efficiently and effectively to the most youth and families possible; it also allows us to be flexible to address the different needs of each situation. Our goal is that 35% of cases will be Direct Advocacy: they should be the higher needs, more intensive cases that would not progress without an outside advocate’s intervention. 35% of the caseload should be Consultation, focusing on for the advocate to support and encourage an adult or the youth to be their own primary advocate. And 30 % of advocacy will be Information & Referral - which is a quick yet effective way to provide support or information for an issue that needs minimal help.

Direct Advocacy

Direct advocacy is appropriate for especially complex and challenging educational situations. In these situations, an advocate is needed to lead the advocacy effort because nobody else is able to do it. Direct advocacy is also appropriate when a serious situation requires immediate action. The advocate meets with the youth, builds a team and works directly with the family on these cases. Ideally, the advocate will involve the caregiver, who will gradually assume more advocacy responsibility.

Consultation

Consultation is appropriate when a significant person in the youth’s life (such as a caregiver or social worker) can manage the advocacy situation but needs an advocate's support. The advocate's role is to provide specific steps and strategies to improve the youth's educational problem. Consultations can take place over the phone or by email. It can include briefings with the social worker, caregiver or school, and can involve advocates' attending meetings to offer support.

Information and Referral

Information and Referral is appropriate for answering basic questions and for leading families to other local resources. For example, advocates can answer questions about transportation, enrollment or special education resources using this level of service.