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unlock your child’s true potential: Advocate for an accurate iep. I help California parents ensure the IEP goals, services, and placement accurately reflects their child’s unique strengths and needs so their child can get the support they need.
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How I Support Your Family: Two paths to clinical clarity
PATH 1: Parent Advocacy. Strategic partnership to bridge the gap between your child’s school site reality and their legal rights. step 1: In this brief call, we'll cut through the confusion to see if my personalized strategy is the right fit for your family.
PATH 1: Parent Advocacy. Strategic partnership to bridge the gap between your child’s school site reality and their legal rights. step 1: In this brief call, we'll cut through the confusion to see if my personalized strategy is the right fit for your family.
Step 2: IEP STRATEGY CONSULTATION To be effective, I need to know your child's case inside and out. My initial IEP Strategy Consultation Package handles that. The investment for that foundational clarity and confidence allows us to move forward strategically, not guess-and-check.
Step 3: The Meeting Strategy and Support Package follows the IEP Strategy Consultation, offering expert guidance before, during, and after your child's IEP or 504 meeting. This package prepares and empowers you to advocate effectively for your child's educational outcomes, saving time and reducing stress.
Best for: Preschool IEPs, TK/Kindergarten Transitions, Middle of the School Year Adjustments, & Annual Reviews.
PATH 2: IEE Support. Clinical accountability for when you need a professional second opinion to challenge inaccurate district testing.. Step 1: Testing Review I audit the school's recent psychological evaluations.
PATH 2: IEE Support. Clinical accountability for when you need a professional second opinion to challenge inaccurate district testing.. Step 1: Testing Review I audit the school's recent psychological evaluations.
Step 2: The Challenge I identify where the school "missed" the mark.
Step 3: Independent Data Securing a 2nd opinion paid for by the district.
Best for: Disagreements on Eligibility and Service/Placement Offers.
Without the proper advocate at your side, your child might continue to face challenges, leaving you to worry and question: Did I overlook something important? You might be noticing: You're working late into the night, immersed in documents. You attend meetings where you feel overwhelmed and overlooked. Feeling drained by the heavy burden of responsibility. You’ve sought assistance through the school, but the process feels frustratingly slow and unclear. Your child is facing challenges in reading, writing, or math, and is showing signs of anxiety, frustration, and withdrawal.
Remember, there is hope on the horizon. With the right understanding and support, your child can look forward to a brighter future. You're doing your best, and your efforts will make a difference.
What happens when you don’t get the right support right now?
The Time Cost: Consider the irreplaceable hours each week spent away from family, work, or self-care due to paperwork and calls. The Educational Cost: An ineffective IEP or 504 plan can stall your child's development, creating a widening, costly gap over time. The Financial Cost: Without proper advocacy, you might pay out-of-pocket for services or risk professional burnout. The cost of not hiring a professional advocate often outweighs the expense. Frustration and missed opportunities begin now and only grow.
The time for doubt is over: Get Clear, confident, and prepared
Relief from the confusion and stress with structure. Confidence in how to get the supports your child needs at school. A collaborative, systematic process where we take control, establish clear goals, and secure the outcomes your child deserves.
Meet your iep support partner monica trost. Licensed Educational Psychologist | Non-Attorney Parent Advocate
Monica Trost, Licensed Educational Psychologist and Prepared Parent Advocate
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I'm Monica Trost, a Licensed Educational Psychologist and parent of a neurodivergent child. I founded Prepared Parent Advocate to help families navigate the special education system, drawing from over ten years of experience in public schools. My personal experience as a parent of an autistic child with an IEP enhances my empathy and understanding of families' challenges. I offer support for eligibility clarity, IEP meetings, and understanding your child's needs, all with care and without judgment.
Here's how I can help
Discovery & Education Access the 'ABC of the IEP' field notes and podcast to get insider perspectives and immediate clarity while we prepare for your case. Clinical Audit & Strategy We deep-dive into your child’s records. As an Ed Psych, I identify the clinical gaps and build the written roadmap for your specific path (Advocacy or IEE). Table-Side Support & Modeling I sit besides you during the meeting to offer co-regulation and expert guidance. My role is to help you stay grounded while I model how to advocate for the services your child deserves.
Get to know me first
Image of a review from Angelica A that reads: "Her podcast was not only packed with practical tips, but it also opened my eyes to aspects of the IEP process that I hadn't considered. What really stood out was how warm and reassuring she was."
ABC of the IEP: Field Notes for Parents Special education can feel overwhelming - but it doesn't have to. Listen to a short, approachable podcast designed to help parents like you navigate the IEP process with more clarity, confidence, and insider perspective. Each episode comes with a free companion handout with resources to help you advocate for your child.
Think of it as a weekly coffee chat with a knowledgeable friend - honest, down-to-earth, and focused on giving you practical tips without the overwhelm. To help you feel comfortable before our call, listen to a few episodes of my podcast, ABC of the IEP: Field Notes for Parents. It's a great way to understand my approach, philosophy, and expertise in advocating for students.
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Testimonials: "She understands the complexities of working in school as school psychologist and HOW to navigate both IEPs and 504 Plans. Highly recommend Monica and Prepared Parent Advocate!! from April Rehrig" and "Monica's work through Prepared Parent Advocate is so important and needed! She is such a dedicated and talented LEP whose skill and passion reflect clearly in her work. I highly recommend! from Suzanne Pickell"
Testimonial: "I highly recommend Prepared Parent Advocate to any family seeking clarity, transparency, and trusted support in their child's educational journey. From Dawnyelle DeLongchamp, Neurochamp Educational Psychology and Speech Services" and "Monica at Prepared Parent Advocate has been instrumental to the success of our family in navigating the 504/IEP process. She guided me through the process for both of my daughters with clarity, compassion, and invaluable expertise. Monica reviewed their assessments in detail, explained the types of tests and what the results meant, and helped me understand our rights under the law. She even provided the specific laws with citations. From Amber S., Parent"
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Monica Trost

Prepared Parent Advocate

Licensed Educational Psychologist #4660

1460 Maria Ln #300, Walnut Creek, CA 94596

(707) 435-3798