About Our Education Advocacy Project

TeamChild partners with others in the community to broaden supports for children and youth who are at risk of having delinquency problems.

With the support of Casey Family Programs, TeamChild developed an education advocacy manual and training for foster parents, social workers, and others involved with foster youth to help them be more effective advocates for this at-risk population. In one year, TeamChild distributed over 900 manuals and helped over 550 people statewide develop the skills they need to advocate for the education of children and youth.

This manual is an invaluable resource for anyone who wishes to advocate for a child's education. Included are chapters covering basic education rights, special education law, discipline, and resources for young people transitioning to adulthood. Also included is an extensive resource guide with links to Washington State and federal education law.

Click here to download a PDF version of the Education Advocacy Manual. You will be downloading a version of the Manual that we revised in January 2008 to reflect changes to the state special education regulations.

(Note: You need Adobe Reader to view PDF pages. Most computers have the program pre-installed. If you cannot open the manual, download the free Adobe Acrobat Reader.)

Click here to download an order form to request a hard copy of the Education Advocacy Manual.

Much of the law cited in the Education Advocacy Manual is specific to Washington State, although the special education chapters and the general advocacy resources may be helpful to others around the country. In view of the positive response in Washington State and the needs expressed by individuals and organizations across the country, TeamChild, with the support of Casey Family Programs, completed a TOOLKIT FOR CHANGE: Starting an Education Advocacy Project in Your State. The Toolkit is a guide to starting an education advocacy project in your state, including steps for adapting the Washington State Education Advocacy Manual to your own state laws.

To get more information or to order a TOOLKIT FOR CHANGE, contact questions@teamchild.org or (206) 322-2444.