When Meredith’s 6-year-old daughter began experiencing speech challenges, she knew she wanted to make sure her daughter received the support she needed at school. What she didn’t expect was how overwhelming the process would feel.
“There’s an entire lexicon involved with IEPs, 504 Plans, and CSE,” Meredith shared. “The jargon alone is overwhelming.”
Like many parents, Meredith found herself trying to navigate unfamiliar terminology, procedures, and meetings while also advocating for her child. She turned to Parent Network of WNY looking for guidance and reassurance that she was moving in the right direction.
Through one-on-one support, Meredith found more than just answers to her questions—she found someone who understood. “Just having someone listen and understand what we were going through was priceless,” she said. “It’s a very layered and nuanced process and having someone help you create a plan or give you a heads up on what to expect moving forward was so helpful and such a relief.”
With support from Parent Network, Meredith felt more prepared to navigate the special education process and better equipped to advocate for her daughter with confidence.
Looking back, Meredith says the biggest lesson she learned wasn’t about paperwork or educational terminology—it was about the importance of asking for help. “It sounds so basic, but one lesson this experience highlighted is that it’s okay to ask for help. It can feel unnatural for a lot of us, especially parents who are raising kids without a ‘village,’ but the village is there—you just have to make it yourself.”
Today, Meredith is grateful to know she doesn’t have to navigate the journey alone. “We’re happy to have Parent Network in our corner.”
At Parent Network of WNY, we’re honored to be part of that village—providing families with the information, guidance, and support they need to confidently advocate for their children every step of the way.
