About Student Advocacy



Since 1982, Student Advocacy has worked to ensure a meaningful education for each student struggling to overcome the odds. With combined expertise in the law and education, we help parents, students and other professionals working with families, to resolve educational problems. We are proud to provide a service that has been used by over 22,000 youth throughout Westchester and Putnam counties with great results. This parent reflects the views of many: "You have made an incredible difference in our child's academic success."


Beliefs and Mission

We Believe that: The mission of Student Advocacy, the driving force for educational success, is to ensure a meaningful school experience for each student struggling to overcome the odds through services distinguished by

Student Advocacy promotes a more complete understanding of each of our client's educational needs and then advocates for maximum educational benefits under the law. For families who can't register their child in school, we ensure that the family and school know where the child is entitled to attend school and support the parents through the school registration process. For students whose academic struggles have been significant, we seek to improve academic and/or special education supports and interventions. For students with significant behavioral and disciplinary issues, we try to reduce the loss of school time and establish alternative strategies to school suspension for managing the child's behavior.


Results

Student Advocacy has consistently achieved outstanding results: 85% or more of the families reported that after receiving technical assistance from our staff, they went on to successfully advocate for their child. Over 90% of the cases in which we represented a child resulting in improved educational services.


Staff & Board of Directors

Student Advocacy is the only agency in our area that provides educational advocacy services based on the combined expertise of attorneys and educators. The staff consists of an Executive Director, an Assistant Director, a Legal Director, Educational Advocates, a Policy Advocate and two Administrative Assistants. As one of the advocates explains: "I meet with families, gather as much information as I can, observe children learning, talk with school personnel, attend meetings and hearings, negotiate with school attorneys, and often help families and school authorities to come to an agreement. If necessary, I refer children for educational or psychological testing – whatever it takes to make sure that they receive the education they're entitled to. My bottom line: no matter how young the child or how difficult the problem, I want to see that child on track to eventually graduate from high school."

Student Advocacy's Board of Directors provides the leadership and support to ensure that the agency continues to provide high quality services in accordance with community needs. The Board of Directors oversees the Executive Director, approves the annual budget, monitors the agency's finances, and spearheads the agency's ongoing strategic planning process. The members of the Board also actively raise funds on the agency's behalf.

For a complete listing of our current staff and directors, see our annual report.


Who Supports Us

Providing these services costs close to $700,000 a year. A large percentage comes from private foundations which share our commitment to children. Another large portion comes from government agencies concerned with children's issues and the United Way. But almost half comes from contributions from generous friends and supporters, with more than half of that raised through our annual Overcoming the Odds dinner. The dinner honors students who have triumphed over often incredible obstacles to make the most of their education.

For more information, you may also visit www.guidestar.com. You will need to register to obtain entry to our profile.