you might want to pm tzoya or look up www.wrightslaw.com
I am not looking to get paid for it, just to help other parents in navigating the school districts around me.
I am not sure of where to begin to get info on this. I sent an email to COSAC asking for their help but after that I am out of options.
OK. I am in the process of becoming a paid advocate. There actually IS no process. No state certifies or licenses or has ANY criteria. I got VERY lucky and am part of a federal demonstration project that is an intense advocate's training program. It's only for this year.
I have been a volunteer advocate for a long time, though. I learned about advocacy by attending every single parent advocacy workshop I ever heard of. I got a copy of my state's regulation of IDEA. I have practially memorized it. I got a copy of IDEA 2004 and memorized it, too. I go to www.wrightslaw.com DAILY. I was President of our SEPTO for 6 years. I've spent 11 years as an active member of our local high-functioning autism society and am now moderating one of their groups. I have read and practice the suggestions in From Emotions to Advocacy, the BEST book out there for practical advice. I've made friends with as many of the administrators in my district as I can. "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer." I've tried to use my life experience in knowing how to negotiate to help my son and the children of others. Becoming an advocate is really a process of growth. Inform yourself as much as possible by becoming as involved as you can in the spec. ed. community in your area. IF you intend to specialize in autism, become involved in the autism community. Also, go to www.copaa.org and pay to become a member. That way, you'll have access to their Listserv, on which tons of professional advocates and lawyers post daily -- including Pete and Pam Wright, themselves. It's the best I ever spent (tho be forewarned -- there are dozens of emails every day, so open a separate email account to handle them).
Good luck. This world needs MORE devoted advocates.
http://www.autismwalk.org/site/PageServer?pagename=adv_Homep age&JServSessionIdr004=zz011zklz1.app14b