Mission Statement
Our Mission
At Advocacy 4 Unique Minds, our mission is to empower parents of children with special needs by providing expert guidance through the Individualized Education Program (IEP) process. We are committed to ensuring that every child receives the personalized education they deserve. By equipping parents with the knowledge and tools to make informed decisions, and fostering a collaborative relationship with school districts, we strive to create an inclusive educational environment where every child can thrive. Our dedication to advocacy, transparency, and partnership ensures that families are supported every step of the way in their journey towards achieving educational success for their children.
About Advocacy 4 Unique Minds
Nikki Barner, Special Education Advocate
Nikki’s journey into advocacy began with her own child who required an IEP at the early age of 5. Like most parents, Nikki trusted that the school was providing appropriate services and interventions. When the gap continued to widen, Nikki sought help from a family member with expertise in the practices and procedures of special education. Realizing she needed more knowledge, Nikki independently started immersing herself into the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and also attending her first Wrights Law parent training. After that training, a lightbulb went on and Nikki committed that all parents needed more knowledge and her career in advocacy began.
In 2015, Nikki enrolled in the Special Education Advocacy Training (SEAT) program offered through the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA). She graduated and received her certificate in 2016. Since then, Nikki has helped hundreds of families navigate the IEP process by consulting, training, and attending IEP meetings to ensure each child receives a Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE).
Nikki continues to attend professional development training to stay current on special education requirements. These include; the COPPA yearly conference and many webinar series. Independent webinars/training through the California Department of Education, Ed Source, Centers on Technology and Disabilities, Building Wings, Communication Technology and Education Center (CTEC), El Dorado County SELPA, Wrights Law, California Reading Coalition, Don Johnston, and Disability Rights California.
Resources
- Council of Parent Attorney and Advocates (COPAA): https://www.copaa.org/
- Wrights Law https://www.wrightslaw.com/
- Disability Rights CA: https://www.disabilityrightsca.org/
- Disability Rights Education & Defense fund: https://dredf.org/
- Sample letters/requests: https://serr.disabilityrightsca.org/serr-manual/appendix/
- Parent Information & Resources: https://www.parentcenterhub.org/find-your-center/
- California Department of Education Resources: https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/se/sr/iepresources.asphttps://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/se/sr/iepresources.asp
- State Council on Developmental Disabilities: https://scdd.ca.gov/
