Frequently Asked Questions

An education advocate is a professional who helps parents navigate the special education system. Unlike an attorney, an advocate works primarily through collaboration and negotiation with school districts to ensure children receive appropriate services and accommodations under IDEA and Section 504.

An education advocate focuses on working within the school system through meetings, document review, and direct communication with school staff. An attorney handles formal legal proceedings such as due process hearings and lawsuits. Many families start with an advocate and find that advocacy resolves their concerns without the need for legal action.

Contact us as soon as you feel your child isn't receiving the support they need — whether the school has denied an evaluation, isn't following an existing IEP or 504 plan, or you simply feel overwhelmed before an upcoming meeting. The earlier you reach out, the more options we have.

Yes. Attending IEP meetings, 504 plan meetings, and other school conferences alongside parents is a core part of what we do. We help you prepare before the meeting, advocate during the meeting, and follow up after to ensure agreements are implemented.

The initial consultation is a phone or in-person conversation where we learn about your child's situation, review any documents you have, and discuss your goals. From there, we outline a plan of action and explain how we can help. There is no obligation to proceed.

We are based in University City, Missouri and serve families throughout the greater St. Louis metropolitan area, including school districts in St. Louis County, St. Louis City, and surrounding communities.

Many families work with both an advocate and an attorney. An advocate can handle day-to-day interactions with the school district, attend meetings, and review documents, while an attorney focuses on the legal strategy. We can coordinate with your legal team to ensure your child's needs are met.

Bring any relevant school records you have: current IEP or 504 plan, evaluation reports, progress reports, correspondence with the school, and any notes from meetings. If you don't have these documents, that's okay — we can help you request them from the school district.