Meet Monica Trost: School Psychologist, Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP), and Autism Mom
I guide families through the complexities of the IEP process with a unique perspective: the expertise of a seasoned clinician and the heart of a parent. I believe that a well-written IEP is only as strong as the data behind it. By focusing on thorough evaluations and expert report interpretation, I help ensure your child’s educational plan is rooted in best practices and clinical integrity.
Empowering Your Advocacy
Navigating special education is a marathon, not a sprint. My goal is to move beyond the meeting room to help you:
Understand the Data: Decode complex assessment tools and reports.
Master Regulation: Learn strategies to reduce advocacy burnout and stay grounded.
Advocate with Confidence: Gain the systemic knowledge needed to be a powerful voice for your child.
Professional Consultation & Parent Training
My services are provided as Professional Consultation and Parent Training within the scope of an Educational Psychologist. We focus on equipping you with the psychological and systemic tools necessary to meet your child’s IEP or IPP goals.
Self-Determination Program (SDP) Families: If your child is a Regional Center client under the SDP, my services may be eligible for purchase through your Spending Plan. Please consult with your Independent Facilitator (IF) or Financial Management Service (FMS) to confirm. Learn more in the: FAQ.
Ready to Build a Stronger IEP?
A data-driven IEP starts with a clear plan of action. To ensure we provide the most impactful consultation for your child, I follow a specific workflow —from the initial records review to our 1-on-1 strategy sessions.
Follow the steps below and see what is included in each package to support y our advocacy goals.
Your journey to effective educational support starts here. In this brief call, we'll cut through the confusion to see if my personalized strategy is the right fit for your family.
Intake Form Review: We will quickly review the information you provided in your intake form so we can maximize our time together.
Need Clarification: A brief opportunity to tell me your child's core challenges and your primary goal for their educational plan.
Fit Assessment: We'll determine if the IEP Strategy Consultation (step 2) is the best fit for your specific situation.
Next Steps: You will leave the call with a clear understanding of your next steps, whether that is with me or another resource.
After you fill out the Intake form, you must "submit" the form. Once submitted, you will be redirected to a Booking Page to schedule our free consultation call.
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. Perfect for families who have current district data but need an expert's second set of eyes to find the gaps and build a roadmap.
Detailed file review ( Value
$1,050): Stop guessing! We'll immediately review every single document in your child's file (IEP, 504 Plan, evaluations, etc.). We're looking for critical gaps and missing support that are slowing down your child's progress. We translate the confusing "school language" into clear, actionable steps. You will truly understand what the school is offering, what is urgently missing, and exactly what must be put in place to ensure your child can fully access and succeed in their education. You'll replace anxiety with confident clarity. This investment prevents years of wasted time and ineffective services, saving you thousands in potential private costs down the line.Intake and Consult (Value
$1000): Let's not waste another moment! This is a dedicated, 60-minute virtual deep-dive where your concerns are the only priority. We'll carefully review the key records together and lay out a clear, step-by-step path forward. You'll walk away knowing what to do and, critically, how to confidently communicate with the school team to make sure they listen and take action for your child. You'll feel heard, supported, and ready to move forward.Next Steps (Value
$500): No time for confusion! You need a simple, reliable plan to implement immediately. you will receive a customized, easy-to-read summary of our discussion, detailing exactly how to get your child the support and services they need. This isn't just theory: it's a clear, prioritized checklist of actions and talking points. You'll have an unbeatable roadmap for the weeks ahead, ensuring your child's needs are met without delay. We eliminate the "what now?" by providing a written, prioritized list of exactly what you need to say and do, so that no crucial step is missed and supports are implemented fast.
STARTING PACKAGE:
$1,200
Save $1,350 compared to my hourly rate.
You can STOP after step 2 if the IEP Strategy Consultation was all you needed to collaborate and advocate effectively for your child. If you are wanting to have a Prepared Parent Advocate join you in an IEP meeting and collaborate more directly with the IEP team, you can then move on to step 3: meeting strategy & support package. All potential clients must go through step 1 and step 2 in order to move on to step 3 with meeting presence.
STEP 3: MEETING STRATEGY & SUPPORT PACKAGE
The next step is simple. After the IEP Strategy Consultation, we can book the Meeting Strategy and Support Package. This comprehensive Meeting Strategy and Support Package provides invaluable expert guidance and support before, during, and after your child's IEP or 504 meeting, ensuring you're fully prepared, empowered, and confident to advocate for your child's best educational outcomes, ultimately saving you time, stress, and potential long-term issues.
Pre and Post Meeting Correspondence (Value
$700): 120 minutes of pre- and post-correspondence with your school to ensure your child gets a high-quality assessment that meets all their learning needs.Pre-Meeting Preparation (Value
$1000): A 60-minute virtual call to dive deep on what to expect at the IEP meeting, ensuring time isn't wasted and you get your child's supports quickly.Ongoing Communication Parent Support (Value
$1000): Unlimited text and email support through our client portal throughout the entire process until the post-meeting guidance to understand your rights and know your options.Meeting Attendance (Value
$1,050): 180 minutes of wrap-around support from a dedicated advocate throughout the IEP or 504 meeting(s). You have an expert in the room to navigate complexity and prevent roadblocks. Having a professional advocate present levels the playing field, ensuring compliance is followed and your voice is heard without compromise. Get your concern heard, feel prepared and confidence. Meeting attendance is virtual.Post-Meeting Guidance (Value
$1000):A 60-minutes walk through of the paperwork explaining what the school is actually offering. Get valuable information for every option to make the best decision for your child's education so you never accidentally sign away a right or agree to services that don't fully serve your child's needs.
IEP MEETING STRATEGY AND SUPPORT PACKAGE:
$1,800
Save $2,950 compared to my hourly rate.
Monica Trost
Prepared Parent Advocate
Licensed Educational Psychologist #4660
1460 Maria Ln #300, Walnut Creek, CA 94596
(707) 435-3798