Advocacy
With over a decade of experience as a special educator, learning specialist, special education coordinator/director, and global education consultant, I’ve developed a deep expertise in special education that has allowed me to become a powerful advocate for students with disabilities and their families. Today, as a professional special education advocate and education consultant, I use my extensive knowledge of federal special education law and understanding of the educational needs of students with disabilities to facilitate effective collaboration between parents and school teams. I help parents and school districts develop meaningful education programs, obtain and implement appropriate services for students, and support data-informed progress monitoring to ensure that EmbraceAbility advocacy services translate into effecting meaningful change for students and families in school districts across the country.
Trying to get support when your child is struggling can be overwhelming. You don’t have to do it alone.
Advocate for change.
From the classroom to the courtroom in states nationwide, EmbraceAbility Education Services supports parents and families on the frontlines to protect the educational rights of all students.
Strategic support. Inclusive solutions.
Get started with EmbraceAbility Education Services, today.
Strategic Planning
Effective educational advocacy requires a well thought out strategic plan. Through the consultation process, I use my expertise in special education to help parents determine the specific needs of their child. Where parents have assembled a support team (advocate, therapists, tutors, psychiatrists, etc.), EmbraceAbility will integrate with those providers and your child’s school team to facilitate a united effort to ensure your child is fully supported - at home, at school, and in the classroom. Where necessary, EmbraceAbility helps locate educational experts to strengthen and guide our efforts.
IEP Review and Recommendations
Have your IEP, evaluations, and student records reviewed and analyzed by an experienced educational advocate. In addition to analyzing the IEP, the review will provide specific recommendations relative to:
Additional evaluations, which might be needed in order to obtain more appropriate services and educational programming for your child.
Ways to make the IEP more measurable to ensure your child is making progress.
Additional goals or objectives, which might help your child receive more targeted support and specialized instruction.
Suggestions relative to the level of services, accommodations, and support your child receives at school.
Recommendations relative to placement and programming.
Communicating and Negotiating with School District Personnel
EmbraceAbility provides strong, effective advocacy, while maintaining collaborative relationships with school district personnel. Most cases do not require litigation, only effective advocacy. If a case requires a Due Process hearing, the process is conducted in a manner conducive to preserving a holistic relationship between the parent and school district.
Individual Education Plan (IEP) Meetings
With an experienced advocate taking a seat at the table, parents will have the support they need to ensure their child’s needs are being met during IEP meetings. IEP meetings are student-centered, with an aim to identify the strengths and needs of the child, ensure that their services and annual goals are appropriate, and that the child is making appropriate academic and social-emotional progress.
Manifestation Determinations and Other School Hearings
Advocacy services are sometimes necessary to defend and protect children with disabilities against punitive, disciplinary actions by school districts. EmbraceAbility supports parents through that process, but also helps to proactively create strategic plans in place before it a hearing is required. With the very first signs of behavioral issues, EmbraceAbility advocacy helps parents obtain the necessary evaluations and services to get the support their child needs.
If your child is struggling and needs support, an advocate can make all the difference.
Your child deserves to have the best.
With EmbraceAbility, they can.