Let's Talk...
Compass Advocacy
Contact: Karen Gavin-McCarthy
Email: klgsped1963@gmail.com
Phone: (269) 718-9973
Every student deserves a clear path towards high school graduation- no matter how unique that path must be. I am a retired, 30-year veteran teacher and administrator serving youth with disabilities. Please let me help you and your loved one navigate out of stormy seas to smooth sailing.
Hello, I am Karen Gavin-McCarthy. I am excited to begin the next chapter in my career of serving youth with disabilities. Due to my 30-year career and education, I possess a deep understanding of all things special education. In 1997, I received my bachelor degree in Special Education with a specialty area in serving individuals with cognitive impairments. In 2004, I continued my education and received a Master's degree in Special Education adding the Learning Disability endorsement. I have experience working with all areas of disability throughout my 30 year career in the public school system. My education and experience led me to accepting a position as Director of Special Programs. I was in charge of all special populations and ensuring compliance with administrative rules, laws, and local policy. This experience spanned the K-12 public education population, in addition to, Alternative Education and Adult Education, including programs for incarcerated individuals. I noted during my work that many students and their families struggled to comprehend, understand, and navigate all the intricacies of the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) which is the federal law governing delivery of special education services to students with disabling conditions. My next step is to help families by empowering parents with the knowledge to help them empower their children in life. I am here, and I want to help!
Autism
Deaf-blindness
Deafness
Emotional Impairment
Hearing impairment
Intellectual disability
Multiple disabilities
Orthopedic impairment
Other health impairment (includes ADHD)
Specific learning disability (includes dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, and other learning differences)
Speech or language impairment
Traumatic brain injury
Visual impairment, including blindness
ADA Americans with Disability Act (P.L. 101-336)
ADHD Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
BSP Behavior Support Plan
CBI Community Based Instruction
ECDD Early Childhood Development Disability
ECSE Early Childhood Special Education
FAPE Free Appropriate Public Education
FBA Functional Behavioral Assessment
FERPA Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (P.L. 93-390)
FTE Full Time Equivalency
IDEA Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
IEE Independent Educational Evaluation
IEP Individualized Education Program
IFSP Individualized Family Service Plan
IQ Intelligence Quotient
LEA Local Education Agency (local school district)
LRE Least Restrictive Environment
MET Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team
MDR Manifestation Determination Review
OT Occupational Therapist or Occupational Therapy
PT Physical Therapist or Physical Therapy
Section 504 The “nondiscrimination on the basis of handicap portion of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (as amended)
SSW School Social Worker
TC Teacher Consultant
IEP and 504 Development
Attend IEP meetings
Discipline: Meetings, FBA development, BSP development, MDR, and FAPE during discipline
Graduation
Personal Curriculums
Advocacy Strategies
Collaboration with IEP team members
Inclusive Education
Specialized Instruction
Assessment Review and Interpretation
Initial Consultation: Free
Retainer: $150
In-person meetings: $150
(not to exceed 1.5 hours)
Virtual Meetings: $75
Documentation Review: $50
Parent Consultation: $25 per hour
(including phone, virtual, email communications)
School Official Consultation: $25 per hour (including phone, virtual, email communications)
