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Every parent wants to see their child succeed. But when your child needs additional support at school, navigating evaluations, special education services, and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) can feel like learning an entirely new language.
There are meetings to attend, documents to understand, decisions to make, and a whole lot of questions you may not even know you should be asking.
And somewhere in all of that, it's easy to feel overwhelmed.
Here's what we want parents to know: You do not have to be an educator, attorney, or special education expert to advocate effectively for your child.
You just need the knowledge, tools, and confidence to participate in the process.
That's why we're hosting IEP Empowerment Weekend, a two-day, in-person workshop at The Center for Change at Kennett Square designed to help parents better understand the IEP process, recognize their child's needs, and become more confident advocates in their education.
Join Us for IEP Empowerment Weekend
Saturday, December 5 & Sunday, December 6, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM each day
Location: The Center for Change at Kennett Square
102 East Street Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348
Registration Fee: $500 per parent for the two-day workshop
Space is limited.
Two Days. Practical Tools. More Confidence.
Perhaps you've just learned that your child may need an IEP. Maybe you've been attending IEP meetings for years but still leave feeling uncertain about what was discussed or whether your child's needs are truly being met.
Or maybe you simply want to be better prepared for the next conversation with your child's school.
Wherever you are in the process, this weekend is designed to meet you there.
Our goal isn't to teach parents how to fight schools. Quite the opposite.
We want to help parents become informed, prepared, and effective partners in their child's education.
Through guided discussions, real-world examples, and hands-on activities, we'll help take some of the mystery out of the special education process and give you practical tools you can actually use.
Because when you understand the process, you can spend less time feeling overwhelmed and more time focusing on what matters most: your child.
What Will You Learn?
Over the course of two days, we'll explore five important areas of IEP advocacy:
- Understand the IEP Process: Learn how Individualized Education Programs work, what evaluations mean, and how to make sense of the information in your child's educational plan.
- Know Your Rights: Better understand your role as a parent, the protections available to your child, and how to participate meaningfully in educational decisions.
- Recognize What's Missing: Learn how to identify gaps, ask thoughtful questions, and advocate for support that addresses your child's individual needs.
- Communicate With Confidence: Develop skills for navigating IEP meetings, keeping useful records, and having more productive conversations with your child's educational team.
- Become an Effective Advocate: Put your new knowledge into practice with hands-on exercises, sample documents, helpful resources, and a personalized advocacy action plan.
What to Expect During the Weekend
Day One: Understanding the IEP
Saturday, December 5 | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
We'll begin by building a stronger foundation.
What exactly is an IEP? What are your rights as a parent? How do you understand the documents being presented to you, and how can you recognize when important information or support may be missing?
Throughout the day, we'll break down the IEP process, discuss documentation and record keeping, and work through a sample IEP together.
The goal is to replace confusion with understanding and help you become a more informed participant in your child's educational planning.
Day Two: Becoming an Effective Advocate
Sunday, December 6 | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Now it's time to put that knowledge into action.
We'll explore evaluations, the components of an effective IEP, and strategies for preparing for school meetings.
You'll also participate in hands-on advocacy exercises and begin developing a personal action plan that you can carry forward into your child's educational journey.
By the end of the weekend, our hope is that you leave with more than information. You'll leave with tools, resources, a clearer understanding of the process, and greater confidence in your ability to use your voice.
Learn From Someone Who Has Been in Your Shoes
One of the things that makes this workshop especially meaningful is the experience behind it.
Our workshop is led by a Board Certified Special Education Advocate who spent more than a decade navigating the IEP process firsthand as a parent before becoming a professional advocate.
This isn't just about understanding policies and paperwork.
It's about recognizing what it feels like to sit on the other side of the table, trying to make the best decisions for a child you love.
That combination of personal experience and professional training brings a practical, relatable perspective to the weekend.
Your Child. Your Voice. Their Future.
At The Center for Change at Kennett Square, we believe that families do better when they have access to education, resources, and meaningful support.
We also know that advocating for your child can sometimes feel intimidating, especially when you're navigating systems and processes that are unfamiliar.
But knowledge changes that.
When parents understand the process, they can ask better questions, participate more effectively, and develop stronger partnerships with the educators and professionals supporting their children.
That's what IEP Empowerment Weekend is all about.
Not conflict. Not confrontation.
Education, collaboration, and empowerment.
We hope you'll join us.
Ready to Save Your Seat?
IEP Empowerment Weekend
December 5–6, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
The Center for Change at Kennett Square
102 East Street Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348
Investment: $500 per parent
Space is limited. To register or ask questions, please email info@thecenterksq.com.
Informed parents. Empowered children. Brighter futures.