LAUSD Assessment: Step 1

A new era has begun with Obama, and I have good news regarding my mother. Further, I have good news to report on H. As it turns out, I learned three valuable pieces of advice that I have learned as the start of the process with the LAUSD:

1. You are the advocate for your child.
2. From the outset, define who your 'Case Worker', 'Facilitator', and/or facilitator's 'Manager' is.
3. If you fail to receive a phone call back, outline your concern in a facsimile to the Manager.

I have learned the following:

1. If you are working with the staff at Short Elementary, there are five(5) teams there. Thus, you should always request that you leave a message on the facilitator's voicemail, NOT with any individual there.

The Journey of the IEP Begins

It is unfortunate that my mind is not clear on this historic election day. However, given the challenges I am facing with my mother, it is appopriate to begin writing about the Mt. Everest I will attempt climb in securing services for H with LAUSD. This journey began on October 24th.

I reached out to LAUSD at (213)241-4713 to request an asseessment. On 10/24 B recommended that I reach out to BA as the file had been assigned to her. I was fortunate to catch her, and believing that the file rang a bell to her, she assured me that the her team was reviewing over the weekend, and that I should have an answer by Tuesday, 10/28; the teams reviewing files for meet the year end deadline.

I received NO phone call back, nor return of the messages I had left for her at the Santa Monica location. I have now been told that messages should not be left with the office as there are 5 teams that work from this location, and messages are regulary not given to the facilitator.

Today, on 11/4, I finally caught up with Barbara again, who while reassuring me that my assessment would be completed by the deadline, had no immediate knowledge of H. While she is willing to reach out to AA, her team leader, she refuses to provide any concrete information about the next steps. Again, she has promised that she will reach out to AA, and get back to me if she is not able to immediately reach out to her.