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.
AFC intervened and successfully secured placement for Hector in a specialized non-public school that could provide the individualized attention he needed.
Advocates for Children assisted Kevin’s mother in finding a more appropriate school placement for sixth grade. With our help, Kevin enrolled at a specialized non-public school for students with disabilities, where he finally received the individualized support he needed.
With AFC's help, Charlene's mother found a school where her daughter could thrive, one that specializes in working with high-functioning children with behavioral challenges like Charlene
“Mia’s IEP meeting is coming up, and for the first time I don’t feel like I have to put on boxing gloves and bring an advocate with me. It shouldn’t be like that. Had it not been for AFC, I know she’d just have been on that first floor until she graduated."
At a meeting to develop an Individualized Education Program (IEP)—held six years after Angelisa’s disabilities began impeding her academic progress—AFC successfully advocated for placement at a small, specialized school that could address Angelisa’s anxiety as well as her academic needs.
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
