Stress-Free IEP® with Frances Shefter, Episode 87
In this episode of Stress-Free IEP®, Frances Shefter speaks with Andrea Jones, Founder & Chief Operating Officer of The Caregiver's D.R.E.A.M.
The Birth of The Caregiver’s Dream
In this episode of Stress-Free IEP®, host Frances Shefter welcomes Andrea Jones, a longtime advocate and the founder of The Caregiver’s Dream, an organization created to support parents of children with IEPs and 504 plans. Andrea, a mother of three children with IEPs, shares her personal journey of feeling isolated during IEP meetings and how she and five other women decided to form a community to help caregivers navigate the special education process.
Their mission is simple but powerful: remind parents they are not alone. Through education, advocacy, and emotional support, The Caregiver’s Dream aims to empower parents to speak up for their children and ensure they receive the services they deserve.
The Challenges of Parenting Neurodiverse Children
Frances and Andrea dive into the emotional struggles parents of neurodiverse children often face. One major challenge is the feeling of isolation, especially when traditional playdates and social gatherings aren’t always inclusive. Andrea recalls painful experiences of her daughter being excluded from playdates and how some parents distanced their children upon noticing her stimming behaviors.
This lack of understanding, Andrea emphasizes, points to a broader need for education—not just for educators, but for parents of neurotypical children as well. Inclusion shouldn’t stop at the classroom door; it should extend into all aspects of a child’s life.
The Role of Advocates in IEP Meetings
Both Frances and Andrea stress the importance of having support during IEP meetings. Schools often have a team of professionals at these meetings, making it an intimidating environment for parents. Many don’t realize they can invite anyone they choose for support.
Andrea explains that The Caregiver’s Dream is working on building an IEP support program where trained individuals can sit beside parents in meetings, providing emotional reinforcement, note-taking assistance, and a second set of ears. While they won’t offer legal advice, they’ll be a much-needed presence to help parents stay grounded and focused. This initiative aims to launch in the spring, ensuring parents have the reinforcement they need.
Frances highlights the importance of knowing when to involve an advocate versus a lawyer. She notes that advocates can be extremely helpful in the early stages of IEP development and can also serve as witnesses should legal action become necessary later.
The Impact of Transitions in Special Education
One of the most critical aspects of special education is transition planning—from elementary to middle school, middle to high school, and high school to adulthood. Andrea stresses that planning for a child’s future shouldn’t start in high school but much earlier. Parents should consider what their child wants, what they as parents envision, and what services are necessary to help them reach those goals.
Read the entire episode summary: https://shefterlaw.com/2025/02/empowering-caregivers-of-children-with-disabilities-with-andrea-jones/
Learn more about Andrea Jones:
* Visit The Caregiver’s D.R.E.A.M.’s website: http://www.thecaregiversdream.org
* Connect with Andrea on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/aljones3
* Visit The Caregiver’s D.R.E.A.M.’s YouTube channel: http://www.youtube.com/@TheCaregiversDREAM
* Follow The Caregiver’s D.R.E.A.M. on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_caregivers_dream
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Watch more episodes of Stress-Free IEP®:
* On website: https://shefterlaw.com/blog
* On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCff0foIeCETrWbtsQSDwckQ