Advocacy that meets you where you are

Most advocates help families adapt to whatever the school offers. We help you understand that your child does not need anyone's permission to belong in their neighborhood school. That is their rightful place from day one.

What sets us apart is combining deep legal expertise with real cultural understanding. SOAR is the only advocacy practice that explicitly addresses how race intersects with disability in educational settings, while grounding every strategy in what FAPE actually requires, not just what schools are willing to provide. We also do not just focus on school success. Every goal connects to your child's actual life and the future they want.

You might be ready for advocacy support if you are feeling like you need permission for your child to access what other kids get automatically, spending your own money on services schools should provide, or walking away from meetings feeling like you agreed to less than what your child actually needs.

The truth is, FAPE legally requires individualized education designed for meaningful progress. If you are not seeing that individualization or progress, professional support can help you understand what you are entitled to receive. Sometimes a few strategic conversations early on can prevent years of frustration later.

When that school psychologist told me my grandbaby would "never learn," I realized we had been asking for permission for things that already belonged to him. Rightful presence means your child does not earn their place in their school community. It is already theirs.

Instead of asking "Can my child be included in general education?" we start with "What supports does my child need to succeed in their general education classroom?" One approach treats inclusion like a privilege your child might earn. The other treats it like the legal presumption it actually is under IDEA. When your child grows up understanding their rightful presence in the world, they develop the confidence to advocate for themselves and pursue their goals without apology.

My goal is to help you understand your rights and build your confidence so you can collaborate effectively with your child's team. We start by looking at your child's situation through fresh eyes. What is actually happening versus what you were told would happen?

I will help you understand the legal landscape, coordinate supports across all areas of your child's life (not just school), and communicate strategically to move conversations toward collaboration. Throughout this process, I am transferring knowledge to you so you feel confident advocating independently, because you know your child better than anyone else in that room ever will.

Here is something most advocates will not say: if your child's "free" education is actually free, you probably do not need an advocate. But most families are already paying for therapies, tutoring, or evaluations that schools should be providing under FAPE.

When I work with families, we typically see significant reduction in out of pocket costs, faster resolution of issues, and stronger collaborative relationships with school teams. The families who see the biggest return are usually those spending more than my monthly fee on private services schools should provide. Most importantly, this is about your child understanding their rightful place in the world. What is the value of that?

Yes. Compass, Kickstart, Collaboration Cycle, and Builder all carry a 40% second-child rate, so bringing a sibling into a service you have already started costs less than beginning again from scratch.

Companion already covers your whole household at one monthly rate, so a second child does not add a separate charge there. Catalyst and meeting access stay full price for every child, since those are priced per report and per meeting rather than per family.

Here is something important. There is no licensing required to be a special education advocate, so I want to be transparent about what qualifies me. My expertise comes from three places: lived experience raising two adopted grandchildren through special education systems, deep study of IDEA and FAPE requirements from a "how do we make this work for families" perspective, and cultural competency in understanding how racism shows up in educational settings.

What I bring is the combination of someone who has walked this path personally and someone committed to staying current on legal requirements and best practices. Most importantly, I believe parents are the experts on their own children. My job is to help you understand your rights and translate your knowledge into language schools understand and respect.

Absolutely. The majority of special education advocacy happens through document review, strategic planning, and meeting preparation, all of which work seamlessly through virtual meetings. Most school districts now conduct IEP meetings via video, making remote advocate participation standard practice. In fact, virtual advocacy often provides families more flexibility and access to specialized expertise than limiting yourself to local advocates.

When your district allows advocate participation (which is your legal right under IDEA), we can join meetings via phone or video call. Before the meeting, we will review all documents, develop strategy together, and ensure you feel confident. During the meeting, we can provide support, take notes, and help ensure your voice is heard.

No state requires licensing for non attorney special education advocates. IDEA is federal law, so the same protections apply to families in all 50 states. What matters is deep knowledge of IDEA, FAPE requirements, and how to advocate effectively, not geographic location.

This is rare but does happen. IDEA gives you the right to bring anyone with knowledge or special expertise about your child. If this becomes an issue, we can discuss strategies, but most districts accommodate remote participation, especially post pandemic.