Bridging The Gap

08/28/2026

📚 New school year. New teacher. New observations about how your child learns.

These first few weeks can reveal where a child is thriving—and where they may need additional support.

If you’re wondering about evaluations, IEPs, 504 Plans, or how trauma may be affecting your child’s ability to learn, this FREE CreatingaFamilyEd.org course can help you better understand the special education process and prepare to advocate for your child.

This course is offered at no cost, thanks to the support of Jockey Being Family.

🔗 Take the course: https://ow.ly/NNLB50ZEUx7

Learn how to navigate special education, IEPs, and 504 plans with expert Paula J. Yost. A must-listen guide for parents and caregivers advocating for children with learning differences.

08/25/2026

The diagnosis may come in a day. But sometimes even getting the diagnosis can take months.
So… what happens in the gap?

That’s where Bridging the Gap comes in.

Sometimes families know something is going on long before they ever get answers. You may be waiting on an evaluation, sitting on a waitlist, trying to understand behaviors, communication challenges or school concerns, all while still managing everyday life.

Behaviors don’t wait.
School doesn’t wait.
Communication challenges don’t wait.
Daily routines don’t wait.

And neither does exhaustion.

Parents and caregivers can feel like they have to stay on guard, prepared and ready 24/7. We understand how tiring that can become.

Bridging the Gap exists for the space before the diagnosis, during the waiting, and between “we finally have answers” and “we finally have the support we need.”

Our goal is to provide practical skills, education, resources, encouragement and connections you can begin using right now.

We’re here for individuals with disabilities, parents, caregivers, siblings, educators and families navigating unique needs of all kinds.

We may not have every answer, but we can help you find your next step.

Sometimes you need a resource.
Sometimes you need a skill.
Sometimes you just need to be in a room where somebody gets it.

That’s the heart behind Bridging the Gap.

Connecting families. Sharing resources. Building skills. Creating community.

Because the gap may be real…

but you don’t have to stand in it alone.

08/25/2026

Meet Tamika S., our Co-Founder • Instructor • Early Childhood & Family Support Specialist

With 30 years of experience in early childhood education, Tamika brings extensive knowledge in teaching, special education, program leadership, and early intervention to Bridging the Gap. She holds a B.A. in Early Childhood Administration and Birth-Kindergarten licensure and has dedicated her career to helping children and families access the education, services, and resources they need to thrive.

Through her work with North Carolina’s Infant-Toddler Program and her years of experience supporting children with diverse developmental needs, Tamika understands the importance of early intervention, family-centered support, and meeting children where they are.

As a parent herself, she also understands the value of having a trusted village. Through Bridging the Gap, Tamika is passionate about educating families, connecting them with resources, and helping create strong support systems around every child.

08/25/2026

Meet Cheira S., our Instructor • Family Support Specialist

Cheira is a Master’s-level behavioral specialist and care manager dedicated to supporting neurodivergent individuals and their families. She brings professional knowledge in behavioral strategies, sensory frameworks, care coordination, and inclusive practices to Bridging the Gap.

Her passion is creating environments where individuals and families feel understood, valued, included, and connected. She believes effective support begins with recognizing each person’s individual strengths and needs while also understanding the impact those needs can have on the entire family.

Through Bridging the Gap, Cheira brings practical behavioral tools, educational outreach, insight into peer acceptance, and collaborative strategies that help families and communities build meaningful, lasting support.

08/25/2026

Meet MiJireh D., our Practical Skills Instructor • RBT • Family Support

MiJireh brings both professional and personal experience to Bridging the Gap. As a Registered Behavior Technician and a sibling of someone who requires additional support, she understands the importance of meeting individuals where they are while also recognizing that developmental and behavioral needs affect the entire family.

Her experiences working with children and families have strengthened her commitment to patience, listening, advocacy, and individualized support. She especially enjoys connecting with the children who participate in Bridging the Gap and helping create an environment where they feel welcomed, understood, and included.

MiJireh is passionate about creating judgment-free spaces where parents and caregivers know they are not navigating their journey alone. She brings compassion, practical support, advocacy, and a genuine willingness to serve families wherever she is needed.

08/25/2026

Meet Latoya M., our Community Support Specialist • Program Advocate

Latoya comes to Bridging the Gap with a heart shaped by years of real, everyday care and experience supporting individuals with developmental challenges. Those experiences have taught her the value of patience, presence, consistency, and seeing people for who they truly are.

She understands that meaningful support often begins by listening beyond words, meeting individuals where they are, and creating environments where people feel safe, respected, and valued.

Latoya brings lived experience, advocacy, compassion, and a strong commitment to connection and healing. Through Bridging the Gap, she hopes to help build bridges where misunderstanding or distance has existed and create spaces where individuals and families can be honest, grow, develop stronger relationships, and know they have a community standing beside them.

08/25/2026

Meet Sabrina J., our Co-Founder • Advocacy Instructor • Family Resource & Support Specialist

Sabrina brings a unique combination of lived experience, advocacy, community leadership, and training in supporting individuals with developmental disabilities to Bridging the Gap.

Her journey as a parent navigating complex educational, behavioral, medical, and community-support systems has given her firsthand understanding of how overwhelming it can be for families to find answers, access appropriate services, communicate with professionals, and make informed decisions for their children.

Sabrina has also completed state-required training in New York related to supporting individuals with developmental disabilities, giving her practical knowledge that complements her personal experience as a parent and advocate.

Through Bridging the Gap, Sabrina teaches families how to advocate effectively, ask informed questions, understand available resources, prepare for important meetings, communicate confidently with professionals, and become a stronger voice for their loved ones.

She believes families should not have to become experts simply to receive the support their children need. Her passion is helping parents and caregivers move from feeling overwhelmed and uncertain to becoming informed, equipped, connected, and empowered advocates.

08/25/2026

Meet Jazzmon C., our Children’s Adaptive Learning Specialist with Bridging the Gap.

Jazzmon has worked with children with special needs since 2020, with experience in ABA clinics, school settings, in-home support, and community outings. She has a special passion for teaching adaptive skills that help children build independence, confidence, and functional communication.

While parents and caregivers are participating in Bridging the Gap, Jazzmon will be creating a supportive learning experience for the children at their level through engaging, developmentally appropriate activities.

Her heart is to make sure every child feels seen, included, valued, and supported.

We are so excited to have Jazzmon helping us create a space where the entire family can learn, grow, and feel connected.

Learn. Connect. Be Empowered.

08/25/2026

Meet Chiquita G., our Family Support & Advocacy Specialist with Bridging the Gap.

For more than 20 years, Chiquita has served as an Army leader, mentoring Soldiers, families, children, and teens through challenging situations. She has also served as a victim advocate for more than 10 years, supporting individuals and families during difficult seasons with compassion, guidance, and encouragement.

Chiquita is currently completing her family counseling internship, building upon her training in family dynamics, relationships, communication, and how individuals and families respond to challenges.

At Bridging the Gap, she brings a powerful combination of leadership, advocacy, encouragement, and counseling-informed perspective to help families strengthen communication, recognize their strengths, and navigate the emotional challenges that can come with supporting a loved one with additional needs.

Chiquita believes that with the right tools, support, and perspective, families can overcome challenges, grow stronger, and work together.

We are grateful to have her heart, experience, and passion as part of the Bridging the Gap team.

“My mission is God’s mission.”