S5E1 504 Plans - How & When to Ask for Accommodations Around Alopecia with Dr. Sherri Barrow

Welcome to Season 5 of Alopecia Life. In this first episode, our guest is Dr. Sherri Barrow. Each season, around this time of year we talk about back-to-school and how we can make the school experience a good one for our kids. Looking back as a kid who lived with alopecia areata since the age of 7, I know I needed more support in school.  I'm sure many of you would agree based on your own experience - there was very little to no support. Some things have changed since then. There are more resources and ways to thrive in a school environment while living with alopecia, and Sherri is here to talk to us about 504 plans here in the US. She is extremely qualified, and her advice of exactly what to ask for can be the difference between success or a prolonged challenge while figuring out what our kids need.

A little more about Sherri: "Sherri Barrow has more than 20 years of experience in business, training, and education. She attended Purdue University for her Bachelor of Science in Psychology. She holds a master’s degree in School Counseling from IUPUI and a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Capella University. In addition, has her LMHC in Indiana. This makes her uniquely qualified to empower scholars to find and develop their talents while being a strong, compassionate servant leader to students, families, and educators she is blessed to serve. She believes that all students can be successful if they are given an opportunity to explore their passion and purpose, which becomes their why.

Sherri is an Assistant Teaching Professor in the School Counseling Master program at Ball State University. She helps future school counselors develop their skills and knowledge to impact youth nationwide and abroad. She previously served in a college and career readiness role as the Future Center Coordinator in Indianapolis Public Schools (IPS). The Future Center is an initiative within each of the 4 IPS reinvented high schools where students and alumni access programming to prepare them for IPS' 3 E’s (Enrollment, Enlistment, Employment). These centers bridge the gap for equitable services for our youth in Indianapolis.

Sherri is also a motivational speaker who shares her message of resiliency and forgiveness with audiences seeking more significant outcomes and successes in their daily lives."

If you have questions about 504's after this episode, please feel free to reach out. There a lot of options, just as Sherri mentioned, and we'd love to help you find solutions.