Education Advocate | Nonprofit Consultant | Work/Life Integration Advisor
YOUR CHILD'S SUCCESS IN SCHOOL.
It Begins Today.
Your child's success in school.
Few things matter more.
About You
When your child is struggling in school and at home, so are you.
The challenges impact families, marriages, careers, finances, and health, stretching you and your resources thin.
A special needs diagnosis means navigating through school and the complex arena of special education. And for working parents, there are added challenges including securing flexible work options, addressing working caregiver bias, and accessing benefits and supports at work and home. The reality is that for many parents, leaving the workforce entirely becomes the solution, adding family, financial, and career struggles to the mix.
Whether your child has been newly-diagnosed or was diagnosed some time ago, we'll decipher the issues, detail the options, and determine next steps. And because school issues often continue for years and frequently intensify into adolescence and beyond, long-term exceptional caregiving and conflicting responsibilities become the norm.
Our work together will increase your competence and confidence so you can effectively advocate for your child's individual needs in school, no matter their age, grade, or diagnosis. We'll also address the work/life challenges you may be facing as you manage your child's chronic and crisis issues at school and beyond.
Your time is limited. You need answers and solutions. We'll address them together.
A few scenarios:
Your child is failing to make progress or has regressed...academically, socially, or behaviorally.
New issues have emerged or intensified at school or home, whether gradually or suddenly.
Reluctance or refusal to attend school or class have developed, impacting attendance, GPA & health.
Grades have dropped and work completion including homework and classwork have decreased.
Communication with school has increased or contact with your college student has decreased.
Discussions about post-high school plans are not going smoothly and college plans are in flux.
Work and family responsibilities and conflicts are leading to difficult choices and decisions.
Every day is a new challenge, with chronic and crisis issues becoming the norm.
There are times when specialized expertise is needed. This may be one of those times.
If this is your child:
Autism Spectrum Disorders
ADHD
Learning Differences
Mental Health
Here are some of the ways I can help you:
✓ Reviewing and explaining your child's education documents including evaluation reports
✓ Evaluating IEPs/504s and developing measurable goals, modifications & accommodations
✓ Collaborating with your school team, independent clinicians, service providers & attorneys
✓ Evaluating class and school placement options including out-of-district placements
✓ Participating in initial or ongoing IEP/504/GIEP meetings and discussions
✓ Providing guidance on data collection and interpretation
✓ Assisting with transition planning including college
✓ Preparing for college including student coaching
✓ Coaching on effective advocacy strategies
✓ Research and referrals
And in the workplace...coaching, flexible work options proposals, handling caregiver bias, negotiating parental leave, work re-entry strategies, and related work/life issues.
About Me
My work revolves around three core areas: Education, Nonprofits and Work/life integration.
Education. Advocate for children from K-college graduation specializing in autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, learning differences, mental health, transition planning, and college preparation/student coaching.
Nonprofits. Coaching for Executive Directors and boards, strategic planning, communications, marketing, and writing where education, youth and college student homelessness, food insecurity, foster and at-risk youth, parenting and family issues are the focus.
Work/life integration. Advisor, trainer and coach for companies and working parents on flexible work hours, supporting working caregivers, employee engagement, hidden bias, and workplace benefits.
Founder/CEO of Education Navigation, provider of employee benefits, training, coaching, and employee resource groups with specialties in workplace flexibility, supporting working parents, and hidden caregiver bias.
My approach brings extensive and well-honed business skills to client engagements. In Education, it's deep expertise in IDEA/ADA, IEPs/504s, evaluations, hidden disabilities, and college accommodations. For nonprofits, it's coaching, advising, evaluating, and bringing innovative solutions to operations. And in work/life integration, it's years of experience in flexible work options, alternative work arrangements, supports for working parents, employee retention, and benefits.
Together, we will focus on your immediate needs while addressing short and long-term strategies and solutions. We'll begin where you are in the process.
How can I help?
College Coaching, Preparation & Transition
With over 15 years of experience working with high school students and their families, both with and without special learning needs, the road to college is the start of a new phase of life for everyone. With college on the horizon, many changes are underway and often times, having a trusted partner can help make navigating the process easier.
My coaching style is relaxed and getting to know the student and their goals, expectations, and readiness for college sets the path for the road ahead. Providing information, guidance, and support in close collaboration with parents regarding options, issues, and decisions helps ensure everyone is on the same page as the process unfolds.
Many students struggle with writing, so the majority of our
time will be spent on college application essays, supplemental essays and questions. College involves writing, so our focus will be on helping students find their "voice" as they express themselves via these essays while also developing their
self-confidence and broader writing skills.
Services
Consultations
Let's discuss your child and school.
IEPs. 504s. Evaluation Reports.
Transition planning. College preparation.
Work/Life Integration
Let's discuss your work/life issues & needs.
Flexible work hours. Caregiving strategies. Parenting bias. Training. Workshops. Webinars. ERG facilitation.
Nonprofits
Let's discuss your start-up or small organization.
Strategic plans. Communications. Marketing.
Website design, revisions, writing, editing.
E.D. coaching, staff & board development.
WHAT PEOPLE SAY
"Debra is, without a doubt, one of the most valuable resources you can find. I highly recommend her - you will not find anyone better."
— Dad, CEO, Pharmaceutical Industry
A few more things...
Our work together focuses on where you are in the process, whether your child has yet to be evaluated and diagnosed or if you have been in the special education arena for some time.
A signed confidentiality agreement will be provided at the start and permission granted only by you would involve discussions with members of your child's school-based team, independent clinicians, or others.
Documents may only be submitted if a Document Review is requested.
If you'd like to speak for a brief, 15-minute telephone consultation at no cost, please reach out.
I look forward to speaking with you.
Debra
