Find Help

What kinds of help exist

If you are thinking about bringing in someone else, it helps to know what the different roles are. This page explains the categories. It does not recommend specific people or organizations.

About listings and referrals

IEP Pathway does not currently maintain a directory of advocates, consultants or attorneys and does not accept payment for listings. If that changes in the future, the site will explain how listings are selected, labeled and funded.

Parent Training and Information Centers: Parent Training and Information Centers (PTIs) are federally funded centers that provide training, information and resources to families and youth with disabilities. PTI services are available in every state and several U.S. territories.; Often useful for: Understanding IDEA, preparing for school meetings, learning what questions to ask, and finding state-specific resources.
Community Parent Resource Centers: Community Parent Resource Centers (CPRCs) provide information and support with a particular focus on underserved families and communities. Availability varies by location.; Often useful for: Local, community-specific information and support.
Educational advocates: Educational advocates may help families prepare for meetings, organize concerns, understand school documents or participate in school discussions. There is no single national licensing system for special education advocates, and training, experience, credentials, services and fees can vary. Advocates are not attorneys.; Often useful for: Meeting support and help organizing a family's concerns.
Special education consultants: Consultants may have backgrounds in education, psychology, therapy, evaluation or related fields. Credentials and scope of work vary, so it is worth asking what qualifications the person holds and what services they provide.; Often useful for: Additional professional perspective on a specific question.
Attorneys: Attorneys are licensed lawyers who can provide legal advice about a specific situation. It can help to ask whether the attorney regularly practices in special education or disability law, and how fees are structured.; Often useful for: Legal questions, formal disputes, or when you want advice about your rights.
State and local resources: State education agencies are the primary source for state-specific special education rules, guidance and complaint procedures. School districts publish local procedures, forms and contacts.; Often useful for: State-specific rules, local forms and official contacts.

What to have ready before you reach out

Whoever you talk to, the same handful of things makes the conversation more useful. The free tools on this site produce all of them, and everything stays on your own device.

A short written summary of your concerns — Parent Concerns Organizer
A printable prep packet for your next meeting — Meeting Prep Builder
Possible supports to raise with the team — Accommodation Brainstorming Worksheet
Plain-language explanations of the terms you keep hearing — Acronym & Terminology Glossary

Questions worth asking anyone you consider working with

What is your role, and what are you not able to do?
What is your experience with situations like ours?
How do you charge, and what does that include?
What would you need from us to get started?
How do you communicate, and how quickly?

Start with official resources

Processes, terminology and contacts differ from state to state. State-by-state pages are not published here. These official starting points are:

IDEA — information for parents and families, including parent center resources
State education agency contacts for state-specific rules, guidance and complaint procedures

Sources and review

Last reviewed: September 10, 2026. This page was reviewed by IEP Pathway against the sources below. State, district and school practices can differ from the federal baseline, so confirm local procedures with your school or state education agency.

Sources

Important note

This site provides educational information, organizational tools and printable resources. It is not legal advice, and it is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education, any school district, government agency, attorney, law firm or advocacy organization. For advice about your specific situation, consider consulting a qualified professional.