Nonprofit Spotlight: Advocates for Education, Inc.

BY ANGIE ARLINGTON

Shellee Woodward shared that Advocates for Education’s mission statement is, “To support students with disabilities (or suspected disabilities) by providing comprehensive educational advocacy services at no cost to families. We work collaboratively with community organizations, schools and families to assess students’ educational needs in an effort to close academic, social and/or emotional gaps in educational attainment.”

FREE SERVICES OFFERED:

• Educational evaluations/screenings for social/emotional/ learning disabilities.

• A full educational evaluation report to be sent to medical professionals and schools to support the need for further testing, accommodations, modifications, etc.

• Comprehensive educational records review

• Parent support and preparation for case conferences

• Family education on special education law/rights

• Literacy intervention training/education

• In-person support at case conference meetings

• Recommendation of appropriate programming and services

• Assistance with documentation and letter writing

• Attendance at resolution and/or mediation meetings

• Customized workshops/seminars for parents and community organizations

• Career and college counseling

“Students are struggling, said Shellee, who serves as the organization’s educational diagnostician. In the post-pandemic era, we are finding significant losses in learning attributed to inconsistencies in the amount and quality of education over the pandemic period. The loss of learning across the board is making it difficult to identify students who need services — not due to losses in educational attainment from the pandemic but due to unidentified disabilities. It is imperative that families have access to advocates that can evaluate children for disabilities, educate families regarding special education laws, prepare them for case conference meetings, and recommend appropriate programming and services. Put simply, families need help navigating the special education system.”

“We found this true while serving children at Family Promise of Hendricks County. Family Promise works with transient, homeless families as they find community support and permanent housing. Family Promise asked to partner with us to assess children coming into their program. Out of the first four children we assessed (randomly), all were being retained at grade level. Three of those children were found to have unidentified disabilities, which made them eligible for school services. We educated the families on special education and special education law and provided comprehensive reports for the school and medical professionals. As we have worked with more families, we are finding more instances of students with unidentified disabilities and/or families who need help navigating the system.”

WAYS TO SUPPORT: “Since we don’t charge families for services, we rely on donations from individuals and organizations. Donations are always appreciated!” Shellee explains, “We hope to have volunteer opportunities for interested individuals soon! Contact Advocatesforeducationinc@gmail.com if you would like to be notified of future volunteer opportunities.”

Before we met the ladies from Advocates for Education, I was unaware of the options both my son and myself had in regard to our education. I was able to get my son evaluated and on the right path to succeed in school. He is doing a million times better!

— CASSIE A. — WESTFIELD, IN