Parent coaching, Conscious Discipline®, and school advocacy in Chicago
Coaching, training, and advocacy for the adults in a child's life, so everyone uses the same calm, effective strategies. Open to every Chicago-area family.
What is Conscious Discipline®?
Conscious Discipline® is a brain-state model: it teaches adults to stay regulated first, then help a child move from upset to calm to problem-solving. It is not rewards and punishments. It is a way of building safety, connection, and skills.
It carries the highest evidence tier from CASEL (the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning), the national authority on social-emotional learning, as a SELect program. Every member of the Black Bear Academy team is trained in it, and we extend that training to parents so the same calm language works at home and at school.
Parent coaching in Chicago
Coaching for parents and caregivers with a licensed Black Bear Academy clinician, built around your family and the moments that are actually hard, like tantrums and meltdowns.
With a licensed clinician
Sessions are individual, not a class. Parent coaching is led by Lauren Brenner, LCSW, with support from Dr. Kelsey Gass, PsyD, and our clinical team.
A cadence that fits
Coaching can include one parent, both parents, or other caregivers such as grandparents or nannies. Families meet weekly, every other week, monthly, or as needed.
School enrollment not required
Coaching is open to any Chicago-area family. Your child does not need to attend the school or be in therapy with us.
Insurance sometimes applies
Coverage for parent coaching depends on your plan. We check yours before you start. Our clinicians are in network with Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO and UnitedHealthcare through Northwestern.
Coverage varies by plan. We confirm yours at intake.
IEP and 504 plan advocacy
Support for families navigating 504 Plans and Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). We attend meetings alongside you, help prepare documentation, and translate clinical findings into accommodations the school side can actually act on.
In the room with you
A clinician attends 504 plan and individualized education program (IEP) meetings alongside your family, so you are not the only person at the table who knows your child's clinical picture.
Documentation that lands
We help prepare and organize the paperwork a school needs, and put findings in language that maps to real accommodations.
Informed by the same team
Advocacy is grounded in the clinical team that runs our evaluations and therapy. For families already in our network, that means the advocate already knows your child.
Open to every family
Advocacy is available whether or not your child attends the school. We talk through scope and cost with you at intake.
504 plan or individualized education program (IEP): what is the difference?
Both are ways a public school supports a student with a disability. They come from different federal laws and do different jobs. Here is a plain-language look at each.
504 plan
The law: Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, a federal civil rights law.
Who qualifies: A student with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity.
What it provides: Regular or special education and related aids and services, so the student can take part in school.
What is written down: Schools usually record the supports in a 504 plan.
Reviews: Ask your school how often it reviews the plan.
Getting started: Share your concerns with the school in writing. The school cannot require medical records before it evaluates.
Individualized education program (IEP)
The law: The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the federal special education law.
Who qualifies: A student with a qualifying disability, such as autism, a specific learning disability, a speech or language impairment, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), who needs special education because of it.
What it provides: Special education and related services designed around the student's needs.
What is written down: A written individualized education program with measurable annual goals, the services the student will receive, and how progress will be measured.
Reviews: At least once a year.
Getting started: A parent can ask the school for an evaluation in writing. Federal rules give 60 days from your consent, unless the state sets its own timeline.
Every student who qualifies for an individualized education program is also protected by Section 504. A student can also have a 504 plan without qualifying for an individualized education program.
Not sure which fits your child? Our clinicians can help prepare what the school needs and join you at the meeting. Learn about evaluations
This is general information, not legal advice. Your school district's process and timelines may differ.
We are so incredibly thankful and lucky that we had BBA to support us through the CPS IEP process. I would not have known where to start had it not been for BBA.
Danielle P., Black Bear Academy parent
The assistance and guidance we received with the IEP process was top notch.
Erin B., Black Bear Academy parent
Support that connects to the rest of the picture
Many families pair coaching with therapy, an evaluation, or the school.
Parent support questions families ask
Do you offer parent coaching in Chicago?
Yes. Parent coaching is with a licensed clinician and can include one parent, both parents, or other caregivers such as grandparents or nannies. It is open to every family, whether or not your child attends Black Bear Academy.
Do we need to be enrolled at Black Bear Academy?
No. Coaching and advocacy are open to every family, whether or not your child attends the school.
How often do families meet for coaching?
Families meet weekly, every other week, monthly, or as needed, depending on what works for your family.
Can someone come to our individualized education program (IEP) or 504 plan meeting?
Yes. A clinician can attend 504 plan and individualized education program (IEP) meetings alongside your family and help prepare the documentation a school needs.
What is the difference between a 504 plan and an individualized education program (IEP)?
A 504 plan comes from Section 504, a civil rights law. It protects students with disabilities from discrimination and can provide supports and services at school. An individualized education program (IEP) comes from the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the special education law. It provides special education and related services designed for the student, with measurable annual goals that are reviewed at least once a year. Our clinicians can help you sort out which fits your child and can join you at school meetings.
Is parent coaching covered by insurance?
Coverage for parent coaching depends on your plan. Send us your plan details through the contact form, and we will check before you start.
Get support for the whole family
Reach out for coaching or ask about advocacy. A team member will follow up soon.
Get parent support