Select Page

Special Education Volunteer Advocates (SEVA)

Increasing the number of underserved families who can be provided with in-person support

Enhancing the capacity of SPAN Resource Parents to support families preparing for and at IEP meetings and building the knowledge and skills of families and youth to advocate on their own behalf to secure effective inclusion and transition to adult life

Enhancing the capacity of SPAN Resource Parents to support families preparing for and at IEP meetings and building the knowledge and skills of families and youth to advocate on their own behalf.

SEVA helps by:

  • Enhancing the capacity of SPAN Resource Parents to serve as volunteer support for families in preparing for IEP meetings
  • Increasing the number of under-served families who can be provided with in-person support

GOAL


The SEVA Project is designed to provide support to families to increase and improve their advocacy skills for their child/youth with a disability.  SEVAs serve as Peer Mentors and provide support to families at IEP meetings. SEVAs offer communication skills that may be helpful to parents as they develop and maintain partnerships with their child’s school.

Eligibility
The project serves children with IEPs and families seeking inclusion and placement in the least restrictive environment.

The SEVA does not support families who are currently working with an attorney/education advocate or in mediation and due process.

OBJECTIVES


With the support of trained parent volunteers at IEP and related meetings:

  • Parents can communicate more effectively with Child Study Team members because they have learned more effective communication strategies (skill development), they are more knowledgeable about special education rights and processes and research related to the positive impact of inclusive education and effective transition to adult life services (increase in knowledge), and their self-confidence and self-efficacy has been increased (capacity-building).
  • Parents and Child Study Team members learn strategies to “create agreement” and avoid or resolve conflict related to the IEP/special education services.

Library

Resources & Materials

SPAN Resource Parent Comprehensive Training Series  |  SPAN Training for Resource Parents

SEVA Volunteer Advocate Outreach Flyer (English & Spanish)  |  SEVA Volunteer Advocate Outreach Flyer

SEVA (Special Education Volunteer Advocates) Logic Model  |  The Logic Model for the SEVA Project

What Our Families Say

SEVA is a Sanskrit word meaning “selfless service.” In ancient India, “seva” was believed to help one’s own growth and contribute to the improvement of the community. SEVA describes the actions that seek collective uplifting through the understanding of the needs of, and a genuine desire to uplift, others and are based on togetherness and integration. It is service infused with kindness and respect for those served. It is a fitting title for this project.  —Jeannette Mejias, Project Director

Contact Us


PROGRAM STAFF

Jeannette Mejias

SEVA Project Director

Maria Docherty

PTI Co-Director

Tammi Kaminski

SEVA Educator & Administrative Coordinator

Tara Szymanek

SEVA Educator

Martha Brecher & Renay Zamloot

Project Consultants

Lauren Agoratus

Curriculum Developer & TA Specialist
SEVA is funded by US Department of Education Office of Special Education Programs (SPAN Resource Parent comprehensive training series)