Encompass Parent Solutions

Advocacy is civic engagement in action.

Spending time in DC last week with fellow advocates and attorneys at the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, Inc. national conference was a powerful reminder of why this work matters.

When we help families understand their rights and navigate the system, we strengthen not just individual students but our communities.

The highlight for me was participating in COPAAs annual Hill Day on March 4, where we raised our voices on behalf of children with disabilities and successfully conducted 110 Hill visits in one day, including meeting with nearly half of the U.S. Senate.

Our NJ crew was able to slog through the rain to meet with the staff from Sen Booker, Sen Kim and Rep Kean/7th district offices to share our recommendations for the 119th congress 💪

Grateful to be part of this work and this community. Shout out to my fellow NJ advocates Parul Aneja Khemka Lisa Hernandez Elizabeth C. Hamblet, LD Advisory Liz Barnes and longtime friend and new advocate Jennifer Friedman Shaffer

Attention Maplewood/South Orange families. Encompass Parent Solutions will be at the SEPAC SOMA free community special education resource fair at CHS this Saturday. Hope to see you there! 🤩

Our community has so much to offer for individuals with disabilities, and we're thrilled to have over 30 local providers* joining us on Saturday at our 3rd Annual SEPAC SOMA Resource Fair. All ages ... everyone is welcome! Don't miss this opportunity to learn more about inclusive activities, classes, and services in the South Orange-Maplewood area.

* Facebook says our list is too long and amazing to tag every single provider, so scroll on down to the comments to find links to everyone's FB pages (when available)

Together We Bloom - Sensory-Friendly Quiet Zone
South Mountain YMCA, NJ - Art Activity
beloved bath - Gift Basket for our free drawing
Lindsey Stone Homes - Refreshments
South Orange & Maplewood School District
JESPY House
Encompass Parent Solutions
Defining Development
Mindful Parenting with Sarah
Empowered ED Mindful Solutions
Sheltered Journey
Care Lab Collective
Little Apple Arts
All In for Inclusive Education
Sassquad Trail Running
Reesa Salomon, SLP
ACEing Autism - South Orange
Autism New Jersey
Sensory Safe Cuts
Balanced Kids
Your Choice Home Care
Saffron Therapeutic Services
Effective School Solutions
CKO Kickboxing Maplewood
Elks Camp Moore
SOMA Justice Swim Lessons
Stephanie Cannon Educational Consulting
Family Connections - NJ4S
The Arc of Essex County
Maplewood/South Orange Health Departments
Maplewood Twp All Access Committee

Questions? [email protected]

A big with for ED! 🙌🏻

Judge blocks Trump's orders to dismantle the Education Department and fire employees A federal judge has blocked President Donald Trump’s executive order to dismantle the Education Department and ordered the agency to reinstate employees who were fired in mass layoffs.

📢 Major Changes at the U.S. Department of Education: What Families Need to Know 📢
This week, significant developments have emerged that could impact families of students with disabilities. Here's what you need to know:
🔹 Department Downsizing – The U.S. Department of Education has laid off approximately 1,300 employees, nearly half its workforce. There are also discussions about dismantling the department entirely. This could have devastating consequences for the enforcement of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), potentially leaving families with fewer resources and less accountability for schools. Read more: Hechinger Report
🔹 Leadership Changes – Linda McMahon, co-founder of World Wrestling Entertainment, was confirmed as the new Secretary of Education on March 3, 2025, by a Senate vote of 51–45. Her nomination faced criticism due to her limited experience in education policy. Learn more: Axios
🔹 Legal Actions – In response to these developments, a coalition of 21 Democratic attorneys general, including New Jersey's Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin, has filed a lawsuit to prevent the administration from dismantling the Department of Education. They argue that this move is illegal and harmful to students, particularly those who rely on special education services. Details here: NJ Attorney General
💡 What This Means for You – As parents and advocates, it's crucial to stay informed and proactive. If these changes impact your child's access to services, document everything and be prepared to reach out to our advocate network for support. My mission is to help families navigate these challenges and ensure your child receives the education they deserve.
Let's support each other and continue to push for what's right! 💙

STUDENT VOICE: What losing the Department of Education would mean for special education - The Hechinger Report The Department of Education is responsible for ensuring that all public schools provide children with disabilities a free education tailored to their individual needs. What happens to special education if the Education Department is dismantled?

Important statement from Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, Inc. to urge families to speak up to your school districts, boards and elected officials on these proposed actions against closing the ED and protecting civil rights. I urge you to be informed and fight to preserve the rights of families and individuals with disabilities. 💪🏻🗣️📣

Reject ED Closure: Do not threaten the lives of our children. - Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, Inc. In the past few weeks there has been a flurry of administrative actions, such as Executive Orders (EO), issued without clear authority, guidance or any plan of action.  We are particularly concerned about how our nation’s 8 million children with disabilities served under the Individuals with Disa...

📢 *"What are the 3 things to look for when hiring a parent advocate?"*

I get this question often from families. Here are my three takeaways:

1️⃣ **Experience and Expertise:** Look for someone who understands the education system, IEPs, 504s, and mental health support, and has a proven track record of success working with families.

2️⃣ **Compassion and Communication:** Advocacy is personal. A great advocate listens to your story, values your input, and keeps you informed every step of the way.

3️⃣ **Collaboration Skills:** A strong advocate works to build positive partnerships between families and schools while standing firm on your child's needs.

At Encompass, I bring all of this and more:

✅ I help parents understand their child’s rights and advocate for what they need in school.
✅ I break down confusing education plans like IEPs and 504s so you feel confident.
✅ I partner with schools to ensure your voice is heard—and your child thrives.

As a non-legal parent advocate, I’m here to guide you with expertise, empathy, and a passion for ensuring every child with learning differences, ADHD, or other challenges gets the support they deserve. 🧡

Ready to learn more? Let’s chat about how I can support you.

💻 DM me or visit my website to schedule a consultation today.

🌟 October is Learning Disabilities, ADHD, and Dyslexia Awareness Month! 🌟

This month is all about raising awareness and sharing resources to help support kids who learn differently. 🧠✨ I’m excited to share an article from Macaroni Kids that gives great tips and helpful information for families with neurodiverse children. 💬

In the article, I had the chance to share my experience as a parent advocate and offer advice on how to navigate the school system. From understanding 504 Plans and IEPs to making sure your child gets the support they need, there’s a lot of useful info here for everyone! 💪💙

A big thank you to Glenda Robson, the publisher of Macaroni Kid Summit Short Hills SOMA, for featuring me and helping spread the word about resources for neurodiverse families! 🙏💖

Let’s come together this month to help fight the stigma for kids who learn differently and learn to embrace our unique differences. 🌱

👉 Read the article here: Neurodivergent Resources and Talking with Parent Advocate Danielle Ward https://summitshsoma.macaronikid.com/articles/66d74e12a5e3393b0b227268/neurodivergent-resources-and-talking-with-parent-advocate-danielle-ward

Neurodivergent Resources & Talking With Parent Advocate Danielle Ward | Macaroni KID Summit Short Hills SOMA March was National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month. It got me wondering about families navigating the twists and turns of raising children with di…

Excited to start a new volunteer mentoring role with Student/Partner Alliance. Our training was held last night to help us better support our inner city high school students in NJ. Can’t wait to meet my student! Thank you Kristin Caliolo Shannon for the introduction. DM me if you want to learn more and join as a mentor or sponsor.

Attention high school families! Excellent college scholarship opportunity here from NCLD. 📝

If you're a student with a learning disability who's passionate about learning and making a difference, we want to hear from you! Take the first step towards your future by applying for our scholarship today. Together, let's break down barriers and build a brighter tomorrow for all learners. 💡📝 Visit https://ncld.co/3U3VTEf

🌟 Exciting Opportunity for Parents/Caregivers of students with LD!

🚀 We are on a mission to advocate for improved policies and support for students with learning disabilities. If you're a committed parent or caregiver with students ranging from kindergarten to 21 years old (with LD or ADHD) and passionate about making a difference, we want to hear from you!

Apply today and join NCLD as we strive to shape a more inclusive future by informing and influencing policies, initiatives, and advocacy efforts. 🌐✨ Applications close on April 10.

https://ncld.co/439ks6F