The pandemic has been particularly challenging to parents of children with Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), i.e. children with special needs. As if dealing with remote learning was challenging enough, many children were unable to get the services they needed due to social distancing guidelines. This made it especially difficult for children with delays who were unable to receive adequate support services they needed. While some children thrived during remote learning, a good amount did not. We sat down with Lucina Clarke, Executive Director and Co-Founder of My Time, Inc., a non-profit based in Brooklyn founded to provide support services for families with special needs. My Time educates and teaches parents how to more effectively advocate for their children while also providing a support group for parents. 

We discuss the challenges of navigating the I.E.P even before the pandemic while discussing the new challenges of navigating that IEP during the pandemic. If you have a child with an I.E.P or you are considering referring your child to Committee for Special Education or Committee (CSE) for Preschool Special Education (CPSE) to have your child evaluated to determine if they are eligible for an I.E.P, tune into this episode, as Ms. Clarke provides some very helpful information. She also discusses the difference between an I.E.P and Section 504 accommodations, the law put in place to provide accommodations for anyone with a disability. 

To learn more about My Time, click on their Website here. You can also follow them on Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.