Seventeen parents recently completed an eight-week educational series, preparing them to serve as volunteer advocates for other families in the region.  The series, offered in at our office in Rochester, drew participants from Monroe, Livingston, and Wayne Counties.  Participants learned about a variety of special education topics including an overview of laws, regulations, and policies;  individual education programs;  evaluations;  services and placements; early intervention;  and transition.  The training is free to participants, who agree to serve as volunteer advocates and provide advocacy support to other families.  Lay Advocacy training will be offered in Allegany County beginning in July and in Monroe and Livingston Counties beginning in September 2008.  For more information, contact Kerri Noyes at ext. 256.