Parent Next Steps

Take the first step to help educators get to know your child better and what they need to succeed in the classroom. Fill out and print a "Get to Know My Child" flyer to share with educators.

Parents can call and request a meeting with the school to discuss the educational plans for their child when they return to school. This request for a meeting with the school can be written or verbal, but a written request provides a source of documentation that the request has been made.

South Carolina has established a 60 day timeline consistent with federal regulations (34 CFR § 300.301(c)). The timeline for conducting the initial evaluation starts upon receipt of written parental consent to conduct the evaluation, and ends with the verification that all of the required information has been gathered in order to make an eligibility determination. When a parent asks for an evaluation, the district has 60 days to complete it. The parents and district can agree to an expedited evaluation if needed. After the evaluation is completed, the district has 15 days to make a decision on eligibility and another 30 days to conduct the Individual Education Plan (IEP) meeting if the student is eligible.

Resources

The South Carolina State Department of Education’s Special Education Process Guide for South Carolina and SC Policies and Procedures in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act provide information about how special education policies are implemented for students and serve as a source for resources of support and assistance.

It is important for parents to print documents and medical summaries that detail the child’s medical diagnosis, treatment and other medical information the school will need to have in the records for the student. These documents should then be provided to the school.

Parents should request that the school nurse and all teachers that will be working with the child be present at the 504 plan/IEP/IHP meeting. This helps to make sure that all of the student’s teachers are informed of the educational and health effects of their diagnosis. This also allows parents to address any questions or concerns they may have.

Discuss the following topics at the school meeting:

• Child’s cancer diagnosis
• Child’s cancer treatment
• Side Effects or Challenges (physical, cognitive, behavioral, and emotional)
• How the side effects of treatment and challenges have impacted the child’s learning
• What accommodations may be needed at school
• What evaluations may be needed in order to better serve the child (evaluations will help the school determine if the student is eligible for accommodations under a 504 Plan or an Individualized Education Program (IEP))
• Whether or not educating the student’s classmates about cancer is needed in order to answer questions and make the child more comfortable with their peers
• Information about emergency contacts, emergency procedures, and important safety measures

1. 1. Parents need to remember that the feelings and concerns they have for their child do matter and are valuable throughout their child’s diagnosis, treatment, and return to school. Caregiver parents of pediatric cancer patients and survivors know their child better than anybody else and are in a unique position to identify the best support for their child.
2. 
   2. Self-advocacy is an important topic for parents to discuss early with their child because this helps children and teens learn how to speak up for themselves, identify their needs, and communicate their needs so that they can be best supported. Read this guide to learn about how parents can teach their child to advocate for themselves.
3. 
   3. As children and teens grow and become more independent, it is important for parents to know that children may still need additional help from their parents even as they reach their goals. At each transition in a child’s life between childhood, adolescence, and adulthood support from parents can help guide them through periods of uncertainty.
4. 
   4. When a teenager graduates from high school and transitions to college or vocational school, parents can meet with the office for students with disabilities or the center for testing, counseling, and special services at the college or university to discuss 504 plan accommodations needed at this level. The services of an IEP end when a student graduates from highschool, but the 504 plan continues. Accommodations to consider discussing include extended time for exams, quiet areas to complete exams, hard copy of notes or classroom lectures, an aid to take notes for the student, use of technology to assist the student’s classroom learning, and additional needs.
5. 
   5. Parents can explore the community and state resources that are available to teenagers and young adults who need assistance with any difficulties that arise from their health condition and educational needs and goals after high school.

Resources

Wrightslaw is a resource that provides up-to-date information to parents, advocates, teachers, and attorneys about special law and advocacy for children with disabilities. This organization also provides online resources about how parents can find an advocate / attorney / consultant. They also provide a helpful book for parents to access to learn about advocating for their children.

Family Connection in South Carolina provides resources for parents and families about how to advocate for their children. Family Connection is the Parent Training and Information (PTI) Center for South Carolina indicated in the Wrightslaw Directory of Parent Training and Information Centers (PTI) and Community Parent Resource Centers (CPRC). Parent centers can help families with children and young adults with physical, cognitive, emotional, and learning disabilities. These centers can help families get the appropriate education services for their children with disabilities, help improve their child’s educational performance at school, train and inform parents and professionals on important topics, resolve problems between families and schools or other agencies, and connect children with disabilities to resources that can address their needs. Wrightslaw South Carolina Yellow Pages for Kids provides a listing of additional resources for children and families in South Carolina.

Family Resource Center for Disabilities and Special Needs is a nonprofit organization located in Charleston, South Carolina, providing information services for individuals with disabilities, their families and community throughout the Lowcountry. The Parent Manual provides information relating to the resources they gathered about special education services.

Parents can use this resource from the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates and this resource from Understood to learn about some of the guidelines for choosing a special education advocate to support them and their child’s needs.

Use this resource from Disability Rights South Carolina to learn about the protection and advocacy system for South Carolina as they help to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities and educate their families.