Special Education Advocacy in New England

"I must say that when the advocates came into our lives, things began to change especially at school meetings. The entire "air" of the meetings changed when the advocates walked into the room. They gave us a voice of authority that we did not have before. They walked in representing my son and our family with authority and conviction that things needed to change and they needed to change now. It was amazing to see how services that were not being given, began to be offered as a result of the advocates fighting for my son."

-Charlene

"...School can be a tough place for me sometimes. I need extra time and extra help in order to get everything done I need to get done. I need help getting myself organized. And I sometimes have trouble doing my homework. I have always felt somewhat out of place, like the odd ball at school. But, when I call ...Warna and Cheryl, they help me to see that I can do it, that I can be confident in myself and they help take away the frustration and nervousness I feel with school. They have helped me through really tough times. It didn’t matter what I needed or what I was feeling, they always made time for me and helped me. They are two people I can always trust and count on in my life.

They not only fought to get me things in school, but they also helped me to believe in myself, because they believe in me. I can even be mad and upset with them, and they still think I’m a great kid to work with. They helped me get the things I needed for school and they helped me to be the best person I can be.

I love... Warna and Cheryl. They are two of the best people in my life. I know they will always be there for me no matter what."

Christopher

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Cheryl Follett and Warna Reynders of Southeast Advocate Associates, Inc for all their support and patience with me these past years. I met both Cheryl and Warna at a conference early on in my career as an Education Advocate. Immediately, I was impressed and a bit intimidated with them having so much experience and me, at the time, so little. Cheryl especially took me under her wing; we made a business arrangement for her to be my mentor over the course of a year’s time with the focus on a particular complex case. It has been the single best business decision for my advocacy career. I have learned so much from both of them including how to begin a case; understanding how to best help the client and the family; what makes an effective advocate at the IEP table; when to utilize Mediation, as well as, how best to document the facts. I am forever grateful as I know I am more successful at advocating on behalf of my clients because of all I have learned from them.

 

Beth Tremblay Hall

Education Advocate