2288 Liberty Street NE,
Salem, OR 97301
503-581-8156 (Voice)
503-391-0429 (fax)
888-505-2673
Special Ed Help Line: 1-888-891-6784
Email: info@oregonrisecenter.org
Partners Program
What is the Partners Program?
The Partners Program trains and matches volunteers (Partners) with parents wanting support at their child's Individualized Education Program (IEP), Mediation or Transition meeting.
Who are Partners?
Partners are parents and others who have gone through a two-day intensive Partner Training Program. Partners are volunteers for the program. They receive a stipend for each meeting they are scheduled to attend on behalf of the program.
What is the role of a Partner?
Partners are not at the meeting to speak for you. Their role is to help you prepare for the meeting, plan an agenda, identify the issues, write out proposals, etc. At the meeting they will take notes and act as a trained listener who is familiar with special education rules and regulations. Partners model parent/professional partnerships and collaboration.
May I have a Partner attend a meeting?
We currently have Partners available in most areas of the state. Due to the great demand, we are only able to provide each parent with a partner for two meetings per student per school year.
To have a Partner attend your meeting you need to give us as much notice as possible before the meeting (two weeks is preferable). If you call the day before your meeting, we may not be able to make a match, so please plan accordingly. Partners are not always available and we may not have a partner in your area. We continue to hold trainings throughout Oregon in hopes of being able to support parents in all parts of the state.
Before a Partner can contact you, a release of information form must be signed and returned to the r.i.s.e. Center. This form will be provided for you by mail or email which ever you prefer. We would also appreciate you filling out a Partner Evaluation Form, your feedback is important to us, we will use the information you provide to improve this program.
To request a Partner please call the Special Education helpline at: 1-888-891-6784.
How to become a Partner?
To become an IEP Partner you must attend a two day intensive training. The training costs $25 for parents and $50 for professionals. This charge covers the cost of materials. To become a Mediation or Transition Partner additional training is required. To find out when trainings are available please check our website under trainings. Limited parent scholarships are available by request.
Partners assist parents advocate for their children. Partners are not advocates and should not present themselves as such. Partners need to have time to participate in this program. If you take the training and do not have time to participate in the program please let Karen know. If that is the case you will be charged the professional rate for the training. Partners need to be good listeners that are willing to continue training in special education and be open to collaboration. If you have had a bad experience with your child in special education and come in with a bad attitude towards school districts you may not be an effective partner. Most partners enjoy being partners and feel like they play an integral part in getting the child’s needs met. Parents are also very grateful that this service is available.
To request an IEP Partner Training or to participate in an already scheduled training call Leah Skipworth at: 1-888-505-2673, Ext. 207 or email Leah at: lskipworth@oregonrisecenter.org.
Being a Partner:
Availability
Partners can be used once a year or twenty times depending on location and availability. If you are not being called, then parents aren’t requesting Partners in your area. It might be a good time to make sure that r.i.s.e.’s brochures are available to parents at your local schools.
Confidentiality
All information that you receive before or during an IEP meeting should be kept confidential. This information is not to be talked about with friends, family or other Partners. If you have a question or concern about a parents situation please call the helpline. Give all meeting notes to the parents. Partners don’t retain any information.
Stipends
Stipend forms need to be sent in as soon as possible. The turn around for stipends is usually less than one month. If you do not get your stipend check within a month please call the r.i.s.e. office so that we can check on its status. Download stipend form here.
Partner Support
If you run into a situation and don’t have the answers a parent needs please call the helpline. The helpline is there to assist Partners as well as parents. If you have a question about the law, the helpline is available for explanations, information and tools to make you more successful as you work with parents.
Volunteers don't necessarily have the time, they just have the heart. - Unknown