BECOMING A BOARD CERTIFIED ADVOCATE IS A SIMPLE PROCESS

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Attendees come from a broad base of backgrounds:
   •  Parents
   •  Professional Education Advocates
   •  Professional Educational Consultants
   •  Grandparents
   •  Caretakers (of those with special needs)
   •  Lawyers
   •  Behavior Specialists
   •  BCBAs
   •  Psychologists
   •  Occupational Therapists
   •  Speech and Language Therapists
   •  School Nurses
   •  School Board Members
   •  Teachers of Special Education
   •  Teachers of the Visually Impaired
   •  Teachers of the Deaf
   •  Physical Therapists
   •  School Principals
   •  Social Workers
   •  State, Local and National Advocacy Agency Representatives
   •  State and National Representatives
   •  College Professors in fields related to Special Education
   •  Graduate and Undergraduate Students in the Fields of Special Education
   •  COPAA SEAT Attendees
   •  Wright's Law Seminar Attendees
   •  Community Based Service Providers

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Increased Recognition

The creation of the NSEAI’s BCEA™ program was the first national effort designed to increase the recognition of and establish minimum professional educational standards for Special Education Advocates who work in private practice as consultants.  

It was in this spirit of professional development and public awareness, of the need for trained Special Education Advocates, that the NSEAI BCEA™ designation was born to recognize highly qualified Education Advocates.  BCEA™s engage in assisting families through the special education maze and in coordination of needed community supports and services at the federal, state and local level.  The goal, of both the board certification application and the 12 modular examinations, is to include those who have made and will continue to make a difference in the lives of those with educational & developmental disabilities.   BCEAs are recertified on the basis of continuing education hours, and other professional activities.

Due to increasing specialization within the educational, health and community service fields, special education advocacy and disability case management have earned a SEPARATE position in the world of Advocacy, by addressing the highly unique needs of those children and adults with educational, developmental and mental health issues. 

Specialized Area of Knowledge
Special Education Advocacy is a separate, specialized area of knowledge that requires cross training in wide and multiple bodies of knowledge (education, special education, law and clinical arenas)  that need to be maintained and updated regularly.  It includes information about:

•    special education methodology, practices and services,
•    behavior health and management,
•    family and school dynamics,
•    disability awareness,
•    educational and clinical evaluation tools,
•    case management of community services and supports available from federal, state and local governments,
•    research based educational programming and methodology,
•    appropriate educational, psychological and health care evaluation referral,
•    health insurance and health care vs educational evaluations,
•    multiple federal and state regulations that address services to those children and adults with special needs,
•    neuropsychological evaluations of children with developmental delays and learning disabilities,
•    educational need identification,
•    specially designed instruction,
•    IDEA and ADA and other federal and state laws that impact children with disabilities,
•    ADAAA - 504, Chapter 15
•    procedural safeguards,
•    assistive technology,
•    research based progress monitoring,
•    dyslexia
•    specific learning disabilities
•    inter-agency cooperation and coordination
•    advanced advocacy and communication techniques,
•    resource development,
•    mental health supports,
•    inclusion supports and consulting,
•    transitional planning
•    Occupational Therapy - best practices for schools
•    Physical Therapy - best practices for schools
•    Speech and Language Therapy - best practices for schools
•    Vision Therapy - best practices for schools
•    Audiology - best practices for schools
•    Mobility Therapy - best practices for schools
•    Psychology - best practices for schools
•    DSM - 5 changes and effects
•    Autism
•    sensory regulation
•    ADHD
•    executive functioning
•    visual Integration deficits
•    resolution techniques and who to use, why and how to use (settlement agreements, mediation, resolution sessions, Due Process, facilitation...)
•    behavioral interventions , FBAs, BIPS, positive behavioral interventions
•    bullying documentation and interventions
•    manifestation determination meetings and process
•    juvenile court and interventions
•    extended school year, ESY, during summer and the rest of the year
•    IEP documentation practices vs Due Process documentation practices
•    twice exceptional programming
•    gifted education
•    Due Process prevention and Lawyer selection if needed
•    school record maintenance and requests

     See course curriculum for fuller list of areas covered.

Expectation of Quality and Ethical Practice

NSEAI’s mission is to improve the quality of expert advice by encouraging strong knowledgeable advocates through the NSEAI Board Certified  Education Advocate program.  Please join us as we give increased professionalism to the field of special education advocacy.

NSEAI Board Certified Education Advocates include the letters BCEA™ - –after their name as a mark of distinction and recognition.  It represents the Special Education Advocate’s commitment to providing accurate advice to clients from experience within the Special Education community.  It acknowledges that the Special Education Advocate has received a board approved curriculum and level of education that is comprehensive and formal, has agreed to a professional practice act of practice principles and guidelines, passed formal examinations and has a prescribed experience level and shown a commitment to the profession.

The BCEA™ certification gives clients the assurance that they are working with a trained Advocate who is committed to maintaining the highest quality of service to families and students.

•    Provides an expectation of a qualified* and ethical* special education support through Advocates.
•    Establishes a national educational standard for Education Advocates.  
•    Recognizes Education Advocates who practice under a set of principles and who are knowledgeable about Education Advocacy.
•    Assures ongoing knowledge development and professional commitment.
•    Provides the public an organizational body from which to select a qualified Education Advocate.


Board Certification is given and maintained by the NSEAI.  Levels of professional knowledge and expertise in specific areas will vary among providers based on additional experience and education outside of the Comprehensive Special Education Advocacy Training provided by NSEAI.   Members agree that NSEAI has the sole discretion to give or revoke board certification based on professional behaviors demonstrated. Members agree that the NSEAI Practice Act of  Principles and Guidelines will be followed to maintain certification after successfully completing the training program.  

Board certification promotes a standard for recognizing qualifications and validating a broad-based minimum knowledge requirement as the foundation for effective service in the field of special education advocacy. These standards aim to enhance service provision to people with educational and developmental disabilities who are seeking access to a free and appropriate education. The board certification program promotes minimum standards of professional practice in the field of Education Advocacy and is a source of pride for the BCEA.

Board Certification of any service provider, in any field, is the process by which a non-governmental agency or association validates an individual’s qualifications and knowledge in a defined functional area.  Candidates for certification must meet specific requirements of eligibility and pass examinations.

BCEA Qualified Individuals – having taken a course of study that sets a minimum national standard of knowledge for Education Advocates which did not exist until March 2008, with NSEAI's curriculum and Board Certified Education Advocate Program.

Ethical - Education Advocates agreeing to conduct their private consulting businesses using the NSEAI Practice Act of Guidelines and Principles for the Education Advocate.

NSEAI offers three levels of NSEAI Board Certification for Education Advocates:

Board Certification requirements are dependent upon the 3 levels of certification.

Consultant is an entry level advocate,

Diplomat is a practicing professional advocate level, and a

Fellow is the highest level of advocacy certification.  

LEVEL 1- CONSULTANT        
•    Parent of a child with special needs requiring IEP services OR    

      Under 1 year of professional education advocacy experience OR

      Graduate or undergraduate degree in education, psychology, law or clinical studies,
     student in a college majoring in education, psychology or law
    
•    Successful completion of the Board Certified Education Advocacy Training and exams
                  Board Certified Educational Advocate™  (BCEAs ™) are required to:
                  o   Complete 198 hours of NSEAI Board approved curriculum

•  16.50 hours for 12 classes (Lecture 5.50 + Out of Class Assignments 11.00 =avg.)

•   65% seminar time attendance requirement

•   Pass all 12 course exams with an accuracy score of 70% or greater

•   Pass the midterm paper  (pass /fail grading)

OR

                   o   Equivalent curriculum completion and passing of all 12 challenge course exams and midterm paper

•    Consultation on 1-9 cases with a minimum of 30 hours or 30 hours of mentoring by a BCEA
•    Agreement to follow NSEAI - Practice Act - Principles and Guidelines
      that govern their actions as consultants, in private practice
•    Continuing educational credit hours of at least 10 hours outside of NSEAI training
•    Submission of two professional or institutional references or one NSEAI BCEA reference                                                                                         •    10 Non-­‐NSEAI continuing education hours in special education or related fields.

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LEVEL 2 - DIPLOMAT           
•    Professional education advocacy experience of a minimum of one year OR                                                                                                                   A bachelors or master’s or doctoral degree in education, degree in psychology or law
•    Continuing educational credit hours of at least 30 hours outside of NSEAI training
•    Successful completion of the Board Certified Education Advocacy Training and exams

                  Board Certified Educational Advocate™  (BCEAs ™) are required to:
·                 Complete 198 hours of NSEAI Board approved curriculum (or equivalent curriculum)    

                 o   16.50 hours for 12 classes  (Lecture 5.50 + Out of Class Assignments 11.00 =avg.)
                 o   65% seminar time attendance requirement

                 o   Pass all 12 course exams with an accuracy score of 70% or greater

                 o   Pass the midterm paper  (pass /fail grading) •   

                 o   Successful management of cases in a minimum of 5 different school districts
                        (waiver available for some geographic regions)
•    Consultation on 10 cases with a minimum of 50 hours or 50 hours of mentoring by a BCEA
•    Agreement to follow NSEAI - Practice Act - Principles and Guidelines
      that govern their actions as consultants, in private practice
•    Submission of two professional or institutional references or one NSEAI BCEA reference
•    20 Non-­‐NSEAI continuing education hours in special education or related fields.

 
LEVEL 3 - FELLOW         
•    Professional education advocacy experience of a minimum of 3 years with at least 1 year in independent practice  OR                                             A master’s or doctoral degree in education, degree in psychology, law, clinical studies
•    Continuing educational credit hours of at least 30 hours outside of NSEAI training
•    Successful completion of the Board Certified Education Advocacy Training and exams

                  Board Certified Educational Advocate™  (BCEAs ™) are required to:
·                 Complete 198 hours of NSEAI Board approved curriculum (or equivalent curriculum)                               
                 o   16.50 hours for 12 classes  (Lecture 5.50 + Out of Class Assignments 11.00 =avg.)
                 o   65% seminar time attendance requirement

                 o   Pass all 12 course exams with an accuracy score of 70% or greater

                 o   Pass the midterm paper  (pass /fail grading) •   

                 o   Successful management of cases in a minimum of 5 different school districts
                        (waiver available for some geographic regions)
•    Consultation on 20 cases with a minimum of 100 hours or 100 hours of mentoring by a BCEA
•    Agreement to follow the  NSEAI - Practice Act - Principles and Guidelines
      that govern their actions as consultants, in private practice
•    Submission of two professional or institutional references or one NSEAI BCEA reference
•    30 Non-­‐NSEAI continuing education hours in special education or related fields.

ALL BCEAs must have:
 ·    Professional training or other special education related CEUs outside of the NSEAI curriculum are related to the special education fields and done prior to certification.

·    Graded practicum experience including:
       o   experience serving multiple clients and working in multiple school districts or regions
       o   providing families with the broadest and most informed choices for special education,
            and community based services for their child, based on the child's individualized needs.

·      Pledge adherence to the NSEAI PRACTICE ACT of Principles and Guidelines and following
       ethical standards.

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·      Demonstrate expertise by:

• Have professional references related to educational advocacy prior to board certification (these can be aquired during your training.)

• Demonstrate expertise through membership in relevant associations, leadership positions, speaking engagements and books and articles published

• Have ongoing involvement in the quickly changing field of education advocacy with required ongoing CE continuing education course work to stay well informed/