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Are you interested in joining our mission of empowering everyone by becoming a member? You will receive access to our newsletter, advocacy & case discussion forums, a listing in our Professional Directory, and so much more. Read below for more information about our 4 professional plans, ethics & standards, and organization policies.

There are so many benefits* to joining us! This grid illustrates the different options available. Click to choose the option that best fits your situation.

*Benefits subject to change

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Voting Memberships

Professional Plans	Individual (No Listing)	First Year Advocate	Featured Individual	Group
Newsletter Access
Discounted Workshop Fees
Access to Directory of Resources
Virtual Open House Tours of Schools
Advocacy & Case Discussion Forums
Discounted Practice Panther
Members Only Social Events
Special Education Reporter Special Pricing – $331.70/yr
Customizable Directory Listing	N/A	1	1	1*
Number of Members	1	1	1	Up to 10*
Lunch-n-Learn
Annual Membership	$75	$105	$175	$275
	Join Online	Join Online	Join Online	Join Online

*Additional directory listings can be purchased for $50 per listing

All members are required to agree with our ethics and standards, bylaws, and policies.*

Advocacy Competence

An Advocate works within their individual limits of their competency.
The Advocate informs clients and potential clients if and when they are not competent to handle any matter or any portion of a client matter.
The Advocate is candid concerning their knowledge base and skill.
An Advocate continues their special education advocacy education by successfully completing no less than twelve (12) hours of continuing education annually. Continuing education can be through private and non-profit vendors, bar association continuing education courses, paralegal courses, Department of Elementary and Secondary Education courses or seminars, civil rights or disability rights organizations; professional associations of attorneys or advocates; and any other continuing education courses or programs related to special education practice, advocacy, negotiation, and or mediation.
The Advocate is knowledgeable regarding regulations of the jurisdictions in which they work and or in which their clients are located.
An Advocate provides competent assistance, which requires special education knowledge, reasonable preparation, skill, and thoroughness necessary for the assistance required under the circumstances.
An Advocate exercises reasonable care.

Responsibility to Clients

Conflicts of Interest

An Advocate will disclose potential conflicts of interest. The Advocate is obligated to place the interest of the client/clients ahead of any personal interest and/or gain, as well as disclose all facts in any situation where a potential conflict of interest may arise.
The Advocate will at a minimum, inform potential clients of any employment affiliations, financial or professional interests that may be perceived to bias recommendations, and in some cases, decline to provide service(s) where the actual or apparent conflict of interest is such that it may fairly be concluded that such affiliation and/or interest is likely to impair professional judgment(s), result in personal gain, or impede advocacy efforts in any way.
An Advocate will make referrals and or placements to service providers based solely on the needs of the student.
An Advocate will refrain from accepting or giving anything of value for the recommendation of advocacy services to others.

Communications

An Advocate will never knowingly mislead others in the pursuit of a client/clients matter/matters.
An Advocate will pursue ethical means to solve an issue or produce a particular outcome.
An Advocate will present claims that are truthful and can be substantiated concerning the Advocate or the Advocate’s service(s) of another Advocate.
An Advocate will communicate with others in a fair and civil manner.

Professionalism

An Advocate will adhere to applicable laws of jurisdiction(s) in which the Advocate works or in which the client/clients is located.
An Advocate will review relevant records and information prior to effectively offering specific assistance.
An Advocate will attempt to resolve special education disputes utilizing all applicable means of due process, as described in the Individual Disability Education Act (I.D.E.A.) and the Advocate’s state special education statutes and regulations.
An Advocate will manage his or her professional office and financial affairs in a manner that conforms to generally accepted business and financial practices.
An Advocate will treat all parties subject to a dispute with integrity, fairness and civility.
An Advocate will not in any way discriminate any potential and or existing client/clients on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin or disability.

Special Needs Advocacy Network would like to thank COPAA for allowing us to use their “Advocate’s Ethics and Standards of Practice” as the basis for raising the ethics and professional standards to the valuable service advocates perform.

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All members are required to agree with our ethics and standards, bylaws, and policies.*

* All memberships are subject to approval. The Special Needs Advocacy Network, Inc. reserves the right to refuse or rescind membership.

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Advocacy Network, Inc.

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All members are required to agree with our ethics and standards, bylaws, and policies.*

* All memberships are subject to approval. The Special Needs Advocacy Network, Inc. reserves the right to refuse or rescind membership.

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