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User: In, NYC, if you put your child in a private school or homeschool them at your own expense, you can request an Individua…

In, NYC, if you put your child in a private school or homeschool them at your own expense, you can request an Individualized Education Services Program (IESP) — not a full IEP — that requires NYC DOE to provide some special education services like SETSS, related services, or itinerant supports. You must notify the DOE in writing and submit a written Notice of Intent for an IESP.

Advocates for Children of New York – Offers education specialists, attorney assistance, free workshops, and rights guides for special ed families.

INCLUDEnyc – Parent support and special ed info center with workshops on IEP rights and processes (free).

NYC DOE Special Education Contacts – NYC’s official contacts for special education questions or complaints.

NY Advocates 4 Kids — Educational consulting and advocacy focused on special education rights.

Wayne Rock - Special Education Advocate — Highly reviewed special education advocate near NYC (Mineola).

Being Special NYC/Advocate of Choice, Inc. — Advocate for families on IEPs and special needs planning.

J&J IEP Special Education Consulting Corp — Supports families with IEP planning and strategy.

Lead with Your Voice — Advocate and planner for special education services and rights.

Smart Idea Group Special Education Advocates — Advocacy group serving Long Island/NYC families.

Starting Point Services: Special Education Advocacy — Smaller local advocate option.

Susan Luger Associates — Legal services/advocacy for special education (can assist with disputes or private tuition reimbursement).

Keep your IEP open with your district if possible — that helps maintain documentation and may still allow some support or better transition back if desired.

Families often supplement with private therapy providers, nonprofit services, insurance-covered therapies, or coordinated supports from regional agencies.

Some advocacy groups and homeschool associations can help you understand what your state requires and what services can be negotiated.

PASEN (Parent Alliance for Students with Exceptional Needs) — advocacy, coaching, meeting attendance, complaint support, and special-education navigation help (IEPs, 504s, private/homeschool paths).

Advocacy for the Special Ones — supports IEP navigation, meetings, and planning. IEP Help For Children with Special Needs

Wynn Advocacy — personalized strategies, document organization, meeting attendance, and support for public, homeschool, and private school families.

Waypoint Advocates — works with families to advocate for services and accommodations in IEP/504 meetings.

WAYPOINT ADVOCATES Graham Behavior Services — document reviews, meeting accompaniment, and advocacy support.

Most importantly seek mental health resources for the scholar(s). This will support with the SEL aspect. We would meet with family bi-weekly or weekly throughout the process as its overstimulating, time consuming, and won't be easy to navigate due to a lot of push back. The best thing is to record, document, and stay on top of everyone/everything in the journey. This way NYCDOE will be held liable and pay for your child(ren) education until college.

Assistant: Emma, this is strong information—it just needs structure and a slightly tighter, legally safer framing so families can …

Emma, this is strong information—it just needs structure and a slightly tighter, legally safer framing so families can actually use it and share it without confusion or pushback.

Below is a cleaned, organized, NYC-specific resource guide you can post or send as-is. I preserved your substance and intent, just clarified language and flow.

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In NYC, if you place your child in a private school or homeschool at your own expense, you may request an Individualized Education Services Program (IESP) — not a full IEP.

An IESP can require NYC DOE to provide certain special education services, such as:

• SETSS (Special Education Teacher Support Services)
• Related services (speech, OT, PT, counseling)
• Itinerant/specialized supports

To access IESP services, families must notify NYC DOE in writing and submit a Notice of Intent requesting an IESP.

📌 Tip: Keep copies of everything. Documentation is critical.

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• Advocates for Children of New York (AFC) - Education specialists, attorney assistance, free workshops, and rights guides
• INCLUDEnyc - Parent support center with workshops on IEP/IESP rights and processes (free)
• NYC DOE Special Education Contacts - Official DOE contacts for questions, complaints, and escalation

- NY Advocates 4 Kids — Educational consulting & advocacy

• Wayne Rock – Special Education Advocate (Mineola, NY)
• Being Special NYC / Advocate of Choice, Inc.
• J&J IEP Special Education Consulting Corp
• Lead With Your Voice
• Smart Idea Group Special Education Advocates
• Starting Point Services: Special Education Advocacy
• PASEN (Parent Alliance for Students with Exceptional Needs)
• Advocacy for the Special Ones
• IEP Help for Children with Special Needs
• Wynn Advocacy
• Waypoint Advocates
• Graham Behavior Services

- If possible, keep your child’s IEP open with your home district - This preserves documentation and can support transitions back to public placement

• Families often supplement services through: - Private therapy providers - Insurance-covered services - Nonprofits and regional agencies
• Some homeschool associations and advocates can help interpret NYS requirements and negotiate services

Seeking mental health supports for the scholar(s) is critical.

This process is:

• Overstimulating
• Time-consuming
• Often met with significant pushback

💡 Many families benefit from bi-weekly or weekly family support meetings throughout the process to manage stress, regulation, and advocacy fatigue.

✔️ Record meetings (when legally permitted)

✔️ Document every interaction ✔️ Follow up everything in writing ✔️ Track timelines and compliance

Accountability is built through paper trails, not promises.

If you want, I can:

• Turn this into a one-page NYC parent handout
• Rewrite it for a Facebook or WhatsApp group post
• Add a step-by-step IESP request checklist
• Tailor it for families dealing with DOE denial or delay

Just tell me how you want to use it.

User: Yes

Yes

Assistant: Got it.

Got it. I’ll give you two ready-to-use pieces right now—no extra questions needed:

Private School or Homeschool + Special Education Services (IESP)

If you enroll your child in a private school or homeschool at your own expense, you may request an Individualized Education Services Program (IESP) from NYC DOE.

⚠️ This is not a full IEP. ✔️ It does require DOE to provide certain special education services.

- SETSS (Special Education Teacher Support Services)

• Related services (Speech, OT, PT, Counseling)
• Itinerant/specialized supports

You must submit a written Notice of Intent to NYC DOE requesting an IESP.

📌 Always keep copies of all correspondence.

Free / Nonprofit

• Advocates for Children of NY (AFC)
• INCLUDEnyc
• NYC DOE Special Education Contacts

Advocacy & Consulting

• NY Advocates 4 Kids
• Wayne Rock – Special Education Advocate
• Being Special NYC / Advocate of Choice
• J&J IEP Special Education Consulting Corp
• Lead With Your Voice
• Smart Idea Group
• Starting Point Services
• PASEN
• Advocacy for the Special Ones
• Wynn Advocacy
• Waypoint Advocates
• Graham Behavior Services

Legal Support

• Susan Luger Associates (disputes, due process, tuition reimbursement)

- Keep your IEP open with your district if possible

• Supplement services through insurance, nonprofits, or private providers
• Homeschool associations and advocates can help interpret NYS requirements

This process is stressful and often met with pushback.

✔️ Mental health and SEL supports for scholars and families are essential. ✔️ Weekly or bi-weekly family support meetings are often helpful.

Document. Record (when legal). Follow up in writing. Track timelines.

Accountability is built on documentation.

###

☐ Copy of current IEP (or last IEP) ☐ Evaluations and progress reports ☐ Proof of private school enrollment or homeschool intent

☐ Write a Notice of Intent requesting an IESP

☐ Include:

• Child’s name & DOB
• School year requested
• Statement that child is parentally placed in private school or homeschool
• Request for IESP services ☐ Send via email + certified mail if possible

☐ Ask for updated evaluations in writing

☐ Track DOE response timelines

☐ Bring documentation

☐ Request specific services (SETSS, speech, OT, counseling, etc.) ☐ Take notes or record (where legally allowed)

☐ Confirm provider assignments in writing

☐ Track missed or delayed services ☐ Follow up weekly if services are not implemented

☐ Email supervisors

☐ File written complaints ☐ Contact advocates or legal support ☐ Preserve records for reimbursement or due process

If you want next, I can:

• Turn this into a printable PDF
• Draft a Notice of Intent template
• Create a DOE email escalation script
• Rewrite this for a Facebook/WhatsApp post
• Add a “What DOE won’t tell you” section

Just tell me the next move.

User: Yes

Yes

Assistant: Perfect.

Perfect. Below are two ready-to-send templates you can copy/paste and use immediately. I kept them firm, compliant, and documentation-ready—the tone NYC DOE understands.

EmailSubjectDear NYC Department of Education,

I am the parent/guardian of [Child’s Full Name], Date of Birth: [DOB], who resides in [District/Borough].

This letter serves as my formal written Notice of Intent to request an Individualized Education Services Program (IESP) for the [School Year, e.g., 2025–2026].

My child will be parentally placed in a private school / homeschooled at my own expense for the upcoming school year. Pursuant to applicable federal and New York State special education law, I am requesting that the NYC Department of Education convene a meeting to develop an IESP and arrange for the provision of appropriate special education services.

Please consider this letter a request for:

• Review of my child’s most recent evaluations and IEP (if applicable)
• Any additional evaluations deemed necessary
• An IESP meeting within the required legal timelines

All future communication regarding this matter should be provided in writing.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this request. I look forward to your written response confirming receipt and outlining next steps.

Sincerely,[Your Full Name][Your Phone Number][Your Email Address][Your Child’s Address (optional)]

cc: District CSE / Special Education Office

📌 Best practice: Send this by email + certified mail (or email + DOE portal upload). Save confirmations.

EmailSubjectDear [DOE Contact / CSE Chair / Supervisor],

I am writing to follow up on my written Notice of Intent dated [date] requesting an Individualized Education Services Program (IESP) for my child, [Child’s Full Name].

As of today, I have not received written confirmation, timelines, or next steps regarding:

• Scheduling of an IESP meeting
• Evaluation planning (if applicable)
• Assignment of service providers

Please note that this email is being sent to document the delay in response and service planning. I am requesting written clarification regarding:

1. The status of my IESP request
2. Expected timelines for compliance
3. The assigned point of contact for this matter

I expect a written response within [5–7] business days. I am maintaining detailed records of all communications.

Thank you for your prompt attention.

Sincerely,[Your Full Name][Your Phone Number][Your Email Address]

cc: CSE Supervisor, District Superintendent, Advocates (if applicable)

- Never rely on phone calls alone

• Follow every conversation with an email: >
• Missed services = documented noncompliance
• Patterns of delay matter more than single incidents

This is how families build leverage, reimbursement claims, and legal standing if needed.

- ✅ Convert these into a printable PDF packet

• ✅ Add a “What to say in IESP meetings” script
• ✅ Create a service-denial rebuttal template
• ✅ Draft a due process / state complaint outline
• ✅ Package everything as a NYC Parent Advocacy Toolkit

Just say the word.

User: What doe won't tell you

What doe won't tell you

Assistant: Emma, this is the part families usually learn the hard way.

Emma, this is the part families usually learn the hard way. Below is the unspoken reality—not fear-based, just strategic truth—specific to NYC DOE, IESP, IEP, and private/homeschool placement.

⚠️ WHAT NYC DOE WON’T TELL YOU (BUT ADVOCATES KNOW)

1️⃣ An IESP Is Not Optional for DOE

DOE often acts like IESP services are discretionary. They are not.

If your child is:

• A NYC resident
• Eligible for special education
• Parentally placed in private school or homeschool

👉 DOE still has a legal obligation to provide equitable services through an IESP.

Delays ≠ denial. Silence ≠ no.

2️⃣ “We Don’t Have Providers” Is NOT a Legal Excuse

DOE frequently claims:

“We can’t find a provider.”

That is an administrative failure, not your problem.

Missed or delayed services = documented noncompliance Document enough noncompliance and families can pursue:

• Compensatory services
• Independent providers
• Reimbursement
• Legal remedies

3️⃣ Keeping an IEP Open Protects You

DOE won’t remind you that:

• Closing an IEP can weaken your documentation trail
• An open IEP helps establish continued eligibility
• It preserves leverage if the private or homeschool placement fails

You can parentally place your child and keep your IEP active.

4️⃣ DOE Tracks “Difficult” Parents

They won’t say it, but it happens.

Families who:

• Ask for everything in writing
• Cite timelines
• CC supervisors
• Use advocates

…get faster responses.

This isn’t retaliation—it’s risk management on DOE’s end.

5️⃣ Evaluations Are Often Minimized on Purpose

DOE evaluators may:

• Understate needs
• Skip functional or emotional impacts
• Avoid certain diagnoses

Independent evaluations (IEEs) often reveal:

• Higher service needs
• Missed disabilities
• Stronger legal positioning

You have the right to challenge evaluations.

6️⃣ SETSS Is Frequently Underdosed

Many children receive:

• Too few SETSS hours
• Generic goals
• Inflexible delivery models

What DOE won’t tell you: SETSS hours can be increased with data, documentation, and persistence.

7️⃣ Homeschool Families Are Treated Like Afterthoughts

DOE prioritizes:

1. Public school students
2. Private school placements
3. Homeschool families (last)

This is practice—not law.

Homeschool students are still entitled to:

• Timely IESP meetings
• Evaluations
• Services

But you must push harder and document more.

8️⃣ Service Logs Are Your Power Tool

Every missed session matters.

DOE won’t explain that:

• Service logs build compensatory claims
• Patterns matter more than one-off misses
• Written complaints change behavior faster than calls

Keep:

• Dates
• Provider names
• Missed minutes
• DOE responses

9️⃣ Mental Health Is Often Ignored Unless You Force It

DOE may avoid:

• Counseling services
• Emotional/behavioral supports
• Trauma-informed language

Especially if behavior is “manageable.”

You must explicitly request SEL and mental health supports—and tie them to access to learning.

🔟 They Assume Families Will Give Up

Most families do.

DOE delay tactics work because:

• Families get overwhelmed
• Parents return to work
• Documentation slips

Consistency—not aggression—wins.

🧠 THE ADVOCATE MINDSET

You are not “asking for favors.” You are enforcing rights.

Your mantra already says it best:

Trials + Tribulations = Testimony

If you want next, I can:

• Write a “polite but deadly” email script
• Create a missed-services log template
• Draft a denial rebuttal letter
• Outline when to escalate to complaints or due process

Say which one you want—and I’ll build it.