Serving families and caregivers who have an educational concern for their child and seek guidance, support, and advocacy services.
Sometimes, families need educational guidance after their child recently received a diagnosis. Other times, a student is recently found eligible for an IEP or 504 plan, and the family is looking to work with an advocate to address educational concerns. In contrast, other families were dumbfounded to find out that their child was not eligible for an IEP or 504 plan, so they decided to seek guidance from a special education advocate.
Whether at the beginning of the educational journey or well into the process, when a family has an educational concern and seeks the help of an educational advocate, I am here to help. I will provide support and guidance throughout the entire process. When necessary, I will help prepare your case for an attorney.
There are various reasons families decide to seek the support of an experienced and compassionate special education advocate. Here are some of the areas I can support you in:
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Helping your child find placement in the least restrictive environment
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Increasing opportunities for inclusion throughout the school day
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Seeking out-of-district placement
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Pursuing a structured literacy program
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Increasing or adding additional school-based therapy or support services
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Addressing concerns about your child not making sufficient progress
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Evaluating the appropriateness of IEP goals and advocating for changes
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Clarifying questions the family has about the school district's evaluation
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Responding to the situation where a child is not found eligible for an IEP
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Addressing concerns that a 504 plan is not sufficient
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Challenging the district's denial of a child study team evaluation
Special Education Advocacy, Consulting, Family Coaching, & Presentations
Special Education Advocacy Services
Strategic planning and help from an advocate to support your position and achieve your goals.
Families typically seek support from an educational advocate when needing support with written communications or during IEP or 504 meetings as well as when seeking to understand their rights while navigating the educational system. Special education advocacy services include:
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Helping obtain your child's records
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Attending and participating in meetings (e.g., Identification and Eligibility, Evaluation and Triannual Evaluations, IEP, 504 conferences, Team meetings, and Mediation)
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Drafting formal written communications, including letters, responses, requests, state complaints, etc.
Consultation Services
Guidance from an educational advocate without getting involved with the school district.
Families will typically ask for consultation services when they want help from an educational advocate but they want to keep the advocate's involvement private and do not wish to share this with the school district. This type of service is often referred to as "ghost advocacy." These services include support for:
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An in-depth review of your child's records
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Providing you with a case summary and analysis which includes options for moving your case forward
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Referral to independent assessors, experts, and attorneys as needed.
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Learning about educational rights in the state of NJ
Family Coaching
Understand your child's needs and rights and foster healthy communication between family members.
Family Coaching provides information and resources to help families understand their child's needs, educational rights, school documents, diagnosis, and school classification. Coaching can also help build bridges and foster communication among family members in disagreement, enabling all parties to advocate effectively and collectively for the child's best interest. Common topics addressed during coaching include:
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Learning how to manage an IEP meeting and take a position
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Facilitation of family communication to help everyone get on the same page
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Tips for how to navigate the educational system
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Resources and guidance for navigating a recent diagnosis
Customized Speaking Engagements
Take advantage of free workshops and presentations customized to your group's needs.
As a non-attorney special education advocate, I offer presentations and workshops tailored to suit the unique needs of your group. These sessions cover a range of common topics such as managing an IEP meeting, Spotting Issues, Understanding Educational Rights, IEPs vs. 504 Plans, and Understanding Your Child's Evaluations.
These workshops are ideally suited for family support groups or parent-led groups who are eager to gain a deeper understanding of their rights, learn about your child's educational rights, and learn how to effectively navigate the educational system. My goal is to empower the community with the knowledge and insight needed to address each child's unique circumstances effectively, enabling them to achieve meaningful progress.
Amanda Villamar, MSW, LSW
Non-Attorney Special Education Advocate
Certified School Social Worker
Welcome. I am Amanda J Villamar, a professional Non-Attorney Education Advocate serving families throughout New Jersey.
I work under the principles of collaborative problem-solving and conflict resolution. My philosophy is that students are best served within a framework of positive working relationships and partnership. My services include direct special education advocacy services, ongoing consultation services, family coaching services, and customized presentations for groups. When needed, I will prepare your case for an attorney and refer you to expert evaluators.
Ready to get started?
In-person and online support is available anywhere in New Jersey.
Book a Free 20-minute call
During the call, I will listen to your concerns and gain an understanding of your goals. I will also answer general questions and discuss the services available to you. Together, we will determine if it's a good fit.
Initial Consultation Session Via Zoom or In-Person
During your initial consultation session, I will gather a detailed history, review any documents you share, and discuss options for moving your case forward. Following this session a retainer agreement will be offered based on your needs and goals.
Advocacy and Support to Achieve Your Goals
After your initital consultation, I will get to work carrying out all the agreed-upon services aimed at securing an appropriate and meaningful education for your child.
"Every student can learn, just not on the same day, or the same way."
~ George Evans
Contact Amanda Villamar, Educational Advocate
Special Education Advocacy, Consulting, Family Coaching, & Speaking Engagements
Based in Bernardsville, Located in Somerset County and serving all of New Jersey.
Phone:
You can also contact us by using this form: