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| The Special Education Advocacy Training (SEAT) Grant Program
The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) has received funding under a joint application with its partner, the University of Southern California University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), to:
This grant is funded by the US Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS). The grant runs three years and began in 2005. The project, known as Special Education Advocacy Training Project or SEAT, will create a standardized training curriculum and materials, and develop guidelines and protocols for class instruction. Trainees are required to complete approximately 115 hours of coursework as well as a six-month practicum (internship) with an experienced special education attorney or advocate. COPAA will co-manage the project with the Southern California University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities and will specifically be responsible for the oversight of the training program in Pennsylvania and New York, assist in the development of the special education advocacy training curriculum and internships, and closely coordinate its activities with the California project and staff activities at the USC UCEDD. COPAA will also be involved in the feasibility study of whether states are receptive to a uniform training for special education advocates. The feasibility study will use the SEAT training model and curriculum. Also incorporated in the study will be whether a national and/or state-by state certification process is feasible for special education advocates. The aim of this study is to determine quality assurance regarding training special education advocates. 1. Does SEAT accept attorneys as trainees? No. The SEAT program is designed to train lay advocates. Therefore, the SEAT program does not accept anyone who has attended law school. This rule applies whether the individual has been admitted to practice law or not. Attorneys who seek training should register for the COPAA pre-conference training sessions at the Annual COPAA Conference. 2. Does SEAT accept school employees? SEAT does not accept individuals who are currently employed by a public education agency. At its discretion, the SEAT training program may accept former school employees. 3. Do trainees have to be physically present at the pilot training site? Yes. Trainees are required to participate in 112 hours of classroom instruction and then complete a practicum. While some SEAT trainees do commute to the site, the commute must be a reasonable one in order to ensure that trainees will complete the program. The practicum may be arranged by the SEAT instructors at locations closer to the trainee's home. 4. May I audit the SEAT program? No. The SEAT program is a federally funded project that maintains a uniform learning environment at each of the training sites. Visitors and auditors are not permitted. 5. How long is the training? The classroom training is 112 hours, which lasts approximately 5 months. Please expect to spend 8-12 hours each week in the classroom and working on homework. The practicum is 115 hours spread out over 3-4 months. Please expect to spend 8-12 hours per week fulfilling the requirements of the practicum. 6. What is the practicum? A practicum is a structured experience with a special education attorney or experienced advocate. In this working environment, trainees will apply what they learned in the classroom, for example, practicum participants will interact directly with clients, assist as cases are prepared, and participate in IEP meetings. The training site instructors will assign trainees to their practicum assignments. 7. If I have more questions, how do I get more information? If you have further questions, please contact us at SEAT@CHLA.USC.EDU |
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