Open Door Advocacy

20/05/2026

Went to an ARD today that ended up being much easier than anticipated. Sometimes, merely bringing an advocate to your meeting is enough to change the trajectory. I pride myself on my ability to work collaboratively and without hostility even in the most difficult ARD discussions, but sometimes it's just about showing up.

As always, my initial consults are always free. If you have a question about anything regarding your child's services or the implementation of their 504/IEP, please reach out! It's my joy to empower parents to gain back their confidence in the ARD room.

12/03/2026

Hello DFW! I will be hosting a "Coffee with an Advocate" event in May (date TBD)

Please feel free to fill out this short survey to tell me what you want to learn or have questions about!

I will determine the May date based on responses!

The only thing I love more than Advocating for families is TEACHING people how to advocate for their families!

Come join Open Door Advocacy for an informational fellowship (located in Dallas, TX)!

03/03/2026

Part of being an advocate for your child is staying on top of policy changes!

Here is an opportunity to help advocate from the comfort of your own home!

Call your representatives and let them know you oppose Moving OSERS Out of ED!

COPAA makes it easy for you!

Jasmine Crockett John Cornyn Ted Cruz Roger Williams James Talarico

Feel free to tag your reps here as well.

https://www.copaa.org/news/news.asp?id=720929&fbclid=IwdGRjcAQUKuhjbGNrBBQqzWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAHNydGMGYXBwX2lkDDM1MDY4NTUzMTcyOAABHuOlB0-8kl-oxkUGoJ3Baum7xwd40OnfznufVbYv3vl2hfgVIGaLgiDSsy7n_aem_7c5BVRihsgyXS6WEhPBuZg

COPAA is joining advocacy groups across the country on March 5 for aNational Call-In Day to oppose moving oversight and administration of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) from the U.S. Department of Education (ED) to a different federal a...

11/02/2026

Open Door Advocacy is proud to have our first congressional meeting with Roger Williams this morning!

Did you know that Down syndrome was the least funded genetic condition by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for nearly twenty years?

Global Down Syndrome Foundation has been working to change that and I am always honored to be a part of that journey.

In 2024 the Deondra Dixon INCLUDE project act had all but crossed the finish line in becoming law. That finish line unfortunately ended in disappointment.

Here's to 2026 and equitable funding for very important research!

05/11/2025

Wanted to share an experience today: Went in for an ARD meeting that I told my client should be easy as the changes were not difficult.

I always say this with caution because from experience, I know that ARD meetings can go south when you have committees that are hostile or resistant to change.

What happened was that I met with a team that not only was willing to make creative accommodations but offered up their own ideas for supporting the student, outside of our requested changes.

We talked, we compromised, and we created a useful and transferable document that we believe will serve that student in a real and tangible way.

I say that to say that I thanked the team for making the process dare I say enjoyable! A team member mentioned they were also grateful to have such a positive interaction with an advocate.

Advocacy doesn't always have to be a fight. It doesn't have to make you nervous. It doesn't have to be us against them.

When it's done right, the collaborative experience creates a working document that serves not only the student, but supports staff as well.

As an Advocate, I pride myself on fostering collaborative environments.

I will always fight for your student, but I believe that a fight isn't always necessary.

Let's work together ❤️

01/11/2025

Got an email from senator John Cornyn today.

Let's Discuss!

13/10/2025

There are ways for everyone to help. This is how you do your part.

I always tell everyone that calling your senators does more than you know.

The more pressure they feel from their constituents the more likely they are to make real change.

12/10/2025

As an advocate I feel the same fear and confusion you all may feel as we enter into the unknown of poor government policy. Though I guarantee this: I will continue to fight for the rights of my children and those of my clients. The only way to move forward is to not look back. Call your senators. Write your letters. Pay attention to local and national advocacy groups as they will have the most up-to-date information on how we can help.

🚨 Last night every Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) staffer, except one or two, was notified that they will be RIFed (fired). The notice to employees stated that the government shut down caused the RIFs, when in fact a shut down causes furloughs (temporarily not working), not firings. OSEP is the federal office responsible for implementing IDEA, the special education law, including funding and monitoring states, providing grants for technical assistance and parent information centers, etc. Apparently this has also happened at the Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) that oversees vocational rehabilitation. NDSC is meeting through the weekend with other national disability leaders to strategize about how to fight this action that would be devastating to children, families, and schools. Stay tuned for more information. ��https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2025/10/11/education-department-special-ed-office-layoffs-shutdown/86646104007/ #

30/03/2025

https://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2025/03/24/special-education-doe-future?fbclid=IwY2xjawJWLUJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHXzD7qY3gHnoSd-faBEB28KmBc29B_YgMvwRtbd-ylSWGS-dW1h0Rri9qA_aem_tle9wbusBxKSl4NX9Ybw3A

A special education leader under George W. Bush says the dismantling of the Department of Education will impact students with disabilities.

29/03/2025

Open Door Advocacy was Kiestwood Trail today at the Spring Fling!

I love getting out in the community and getting to know my neighbors!