Advocates for Children of New York has been protecting and promoting the educational rights of students with disabilities since 1971. As a result, we have unparalleled experience and expertise in special education, particularly in the New York City schools. All of AFC’s projects involve special education advocacy to some extent, as they target specific populations that tend to include a disproportionate share of students with disabilities.
AFC’s Project Thrive offers free legal representation and in-depth case advocacy to low-income families who need support obtaining appropriate school services for preschool and school-aged children with disabilities.
Our Parent Center helps families navigate the school system through free NYC educational rights workshops, community education events in English or Spanish, and a wide array of free know-your-rights resources.
In 2008, AFC founded the ARISE Coalition, a diverse group of parents, educators, and advocates working together to improve the education of students with disabilities in New York City’s public schools. AFC continues to coordinate and lead the coalition.
Now that she is in an appropriate program that can meet her needs, Mia loves preschool, has made enormous progress, and is no longer getting in trouble.
"I wanted to let you know that Briana is doing so well!! Her reading has improved and the support she is given on a daily basis definitely has improved her confidence. I will forever be so grateful for all your help in finding her the right fit."
With AFC's support, Valerie was placed in school where she has "taken a 180 degree detour": now she loves going to school, her grades have been improving, and she is even starting to read for fun again.
"Our lives have been transformed for the better in these past two years that we have been part of the AFC family. I cannot believe how much Emma has progressed academically, emotionally, and in her social skills because AFC helped us to place her in a school where she belongs."
After Emely’s mom reached out to Advocates for Children, we helped get a thorough evaluation to determine Emely’s needs. When the DOE still did not offer Emely the help she needed, AFC filed an impartial hearing request to secure placement for Emely in a specialized school for students with learning disabilities, as well as intensive speech therapy and one-on-one tutoring in reading and writing outside of school.
Supported by a five-year grant from the United States Department of Education, AFC leads the New York Region 1 Parent Training and Information Center Collaborative. The Collaborative, which coordinates the parent centers for New York City and Long Island, includes Sinergia, IncludeNYC, and the Long Island Advocacy Center. We are also proud members of the New York State Parent Network.
Our free trainings and workshops provide important information to help parents, communities, and professionals advocate effectively on behalf of their children
