When to Hire a Special Education Advocate
Your child is being evaluated for eligibility for Special Education and you have concerns or want training regarding the process.
You need someone to listen to the school and collaborate without too much emotional involvement to ensure the best outcome.
You’re a teacher, as well as a parent, but you are stepping out of your comfort zone and want the confidence that comes from collaboration.
You have been unable to build consensus (agreement) with the school team collaborative process.
You are concerned about the quality and implementation of the IEP and want to explore additional ways to help your student learn.
You need assistance with navigating options and services for your child.
The school team made changes to the IEP that you do not agree with or without informing you in the legally required manner.
Any time you need to appeal or dispute an IEP decision made by the school or district.
You have concerns regarding bullying or discrimination from peers or staff that are educating your child.
This list is not exhaustive, but reflects many of the cases we have supported. If you aren’t sure that an educational advocate would be appropriate in your situation, please fill out our new client intake and schedule a…
free consultation.
Why Us
Duguay Ed is entering it’s 8th year of successful, proactive advocacy for the families of Colorado. We are a small, woman-owned and operated entity with deep roots in the special education field. We can help you navigate the complexities of school relationships and child needs because we know what the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act means and are comfortable holding schools and school districts accountable for the requirements in providing students with disabilities free and appropriate public education in the most inclusive environment possible.
Working with Duguay Educational Consulting and Advocacy means
You’ll have a team of knowledgeable, dedicated former special education teachers and administrators on your side.
You’ll have access to a team with a strong working knowledge of Colorado education practices.
You’ll have access to a team with strong and diverse local collaborative relationships to chart a clear path forward.
Whether you’re local or relocating, we can help connect you with our network of professionals to assess your child’s needs, determine and implement an action plan, and find ongoing support.
services
CONSULTING and school Transitions
If you believe your child is not meeting their emotional, social, or academic potential, an educational consultant can help. Contact us to understand your options at your current school or identify another school in the area that is the best fit for your child’s special education needs.
INTERVENTION FACILITATION
If an intervention is needed or already implemented, we will guide you on how to monitor progress and take full advantage of this crucial time. We will perform observations and interviews to develop an individual education plan (IEP) and follow up with all stakeholders to make sure the plan is executed.
RELOCATION TO COLORADO
Relocating can seem like an insurmountable task when you need to find specialized services and support for your child. Duguay Ed can help connect you to the right public and private service providers in the Denver Metro Area.
CASE MANAGEMENT
Some cases may require relentless and consistent advocacy to make progress. Teachers and schools might not be able or willing to prioritize making resources available to your child. We will work tirelessly to hold schools and service providers accountable for measurable results.
Meet The team
Meryl Duguay MA, Ed.S
As a former special education teacher for all grade levels and an experienced student advocate, I will help you navigate the red tape so your child gets the support they deserve. Working with Duguay Educational Consulting and Advocacy means you’ll have my tenacious team of service providers and network of non-profit and legal partners on your side. I work with families to negotiate and develop pathways for students to thrive. No matter where you are in the process of managing your child’s education, I will advocate for your child as if they were my own.
Robbie L. Thomas MA, Ed.S
Robbie joins the DuguayEd team this year after having spent the last 16 years as a special education teacher and school leader in Denver Public Schools and Residential Facilities throughout Colorado. Her focus has been working with students who have experienced trauma and neurodivergence (ADD, ADHD, Autism). As a person with an invisible disability herself, Robbie has first hand knowledge of the discriminatory practices of our corporate culture and what it takes to bring out success in people with disabilities. Robbie’s passion is utilizing data (quantitative and qualitative) to dive deep into the root cause of learning needs and create targeted, specific plans for children to succeed. She joins Duguay Ed to support the operations and data management side of the work, while Meryl supports families in the face-to-face environments. She is currently completing her Educational Doctorate from the University of Northern Colorado.
What Our Clients Say
“Navigating the public school system with a child with special needs is confusing and scary. Meryl explains everything for us and allows us to rest easy in the knowledge that she is watching out for our best interests. We are truly grateful for Meryl and will be working with her until our son graduates High School!”
“Thanks to Meryl, our son has far more services than we ever thought could be possible. She made this entire process so much easier. We feel because of her, our son is flourishing. She took the time to get to know him and our family which we believe made all the difference. If you are looking for someone who is going to fight for you and your child, you can’t go wrong with Meryl. She is simply the best!”
“Meryl is fully committed to the entire team - our daughter, her teachers, her school and her future. She pushes all of us (including our daughter) to be the best we can be. Meryl is responsive, smart and totally understands ‘the system.’”
Who We Serve
Duguay Ed works with parents and guardians of students with disabilities to hold educational service providers accountable so your child can succeed. In addition to serving your family, we partner with non-profits, community organizations, school districts, and legislators to create an inclusive and equitable educational environment for all students. To uphold our commitment to creating and maintaining opportunities for all children, donations are made to the American Civil Liberties Union.
We are here to help no matter where you are in the special education process:
EVALUATION & ELIGIBILITY
CREATION OF ALIGNED AND RIGOROUS IEPS
PROGRESS MONITORING
PLACEMENT DECISIONS
SPECIAL FACTORS, ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY, AND MEDICALLY NECESSARY SERVICES
BULLYING AND DISCRIMINATION
PARENT RIGHTS AND SAFEGUARDS
EXTENDED SCHOOL YEAR (ESY)
TRANSITIONS - ACROSS STATE, SCHOOLS, AND EDUCATIONAL LEVEL
GRIEVANCES, DUE PROCESS, AND MEDIATION
Getting your advocacy journey started
We cover a significant number of behind the scenes and front of house services such as:
Attending & facilitating your participation in IEP meetings,
Scheduling & gathering information,
Student observations,
Thorough data reviews to look for trends & needs, and
more.
What to Expect
We offer new clients the following two service packages as a starting point. Some families find that these packages are enough to address their concerns and others choose to extend our services in a more permanent case management relationship.
We know that families who come to us are already under so much pressure:
Demands from the school,
The breakdown of support for their children, and
Their struggles to ensure their children live joyful, fulfilling lives
Adding the addition pressures of financially supporting advocacy can feel like too much to handle. Having effective support and someone demanding for the expectations you have for your child’s education does come with increased financial stress.
We are hear to help. While we cannot guarantee that your family will qualify for any kind of financial assistance, we will help you request it!
We will help you with determining your community resources,
We will help you with your application for financial assistance, and
We will work with you regarding payment options should you not qualify for assistance.
School districts:
We have relationships with school districts in the Denver Metro area and beyond. We can work with any school district in the state and can transfer many of our services to support relocation and IDEA concerns in states outside of Colorado. Consultations are 15 minutes long and completely free.
We work with the following school districts on a regular basis:
Denver Public Schools
Aurora Public Schools
Cherry Creek School District
Douglas County School District
Adams 12 Five Start Schools
Mapleton Public Schools
St. Vrain Valley School District
Boulder Valley School District
Our collaborative Partnerships
Advocacy Denver
Website: https://www.advocacydenver.org/
Focus: AdvocacyDenver promotes and protects the human rights of people with disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the community throughout their lifetimes.
Colorado Educational Consulting
Focus: Keely works with families living in and moving into Colorado, and specializes in meeting each family where they are, and helping them to make the best decision for their kiddos with all of the information available.
Colorado State Representative Meg Froelich
Website: https://www.froelichforcolorado.com/
Focus: Rep. Me Frolich is an active agent of change in Colorado Education. She fights for meaningful improvements to our education system every day at the Capitol. She stands with the motto that our schools are the cornerstone of our community.
Developmental Disabilities Resource Center
Website: https://ddrcco.com/
Focus: The Developmental Disabilities Resource Center’s mission is to create opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families to participate fully in the community.
Developmental Pathways
Website: https://www.dpcolo.org/
Focus: Developmental Pathways is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit agency serving individuals with developmental disabilities/delays and their families. They believe inclusion is for everyone and offer services through Home and Community Based Medicaid Waiver programs, locally funded programs, and partnerships with other community organizations.
Envision
Website: https://envisionco.org/
Focus: Envision, Creative Support for People with Developmental Disabilities' mission is to enhance the quality of life for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Weld County.
Foothill Gateway
Website: https://www.foothillsgateway.org/
Focus: At Foothills Gateway, they work to empower the abilities that make us unique. When you highlight the achievements of the human spirit, everyone succeeds.
Fusion Academy
Website: https://www.fusionacademy.com/
Focus: Guided by a fundamental belief in the immense potential within every person, Fusion’s mission is to help each student flourish – emotionally, socially, and academically – through positive, mentoring relationships and a personalized education experience.
Hopkins Education Services
Focus: At Hopkins Education Services, they provide families and individuals with the knowledge, guidance, compassion, and support they need to transform their child's potential into success. Their approach to tutoring, assessment, and academic and post-secondary planning allows parents and families to feel supported and confident in education and life.
Imagine!
Website: https://imaginecolorado.org/
Focus: Imagine! provides support services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Their goal is to help people aspire to, and achieve, a fulfilling life of new possibilities.
North Metro Community Services
Website: https://www.nmetro.org/
Focus: North Metro is a community partner with other organizations that provide care and services for persons who meet eligibility requirements. North Metro provides strong advocacy for people with developmental disabilities. They are committed to protection of human rights, respectful relationships, and individualized care.
Prospect Academy Public Charter School
Website: https://www.prospectacademyco.org/
Focus: This school is founded on the belief that all students, including those who learn differently, can reach their potential with the right programming and support. They serve all students, including general education students, and specialize in serving students with level 1 and 2 autism, ADHD, dyslexia, or similar learning profiles as well as struggling learners without a diagnosis who are not successful in a traditional school setting.
ReSchool Colorado
Website: https://www.reschoolcolorado.org/
Focus: ReSchool is a Colorado-based nonprofit organization that believes that learning happens everywhere. When young people experience a variety of opportunities that they drive, they THRIVE. They recognize that inequities exist in the educational system both in and outside of schools. They work alongside a variety of people to address these inequities so all young people have the resources to access the learning experiences they choose.
REVEL
Focus: They believe teens and adults on the autism spectrum have the ability to connect, work, learn and explore new interests together and work to support their inclusion in educational and work environments.
Rocky Mountain Human Services
Website: https://www.rmhumanservices.org/
Focus: Rocky Mountain Human Services is an organization dedicated to the belief that every individual deserves respect and the support they need to live the lives they envision for themselves in their community of choice. As an organization that provides support to thousands of persons across Colorado, the impacts and outcomes of systemic racism are fundamentally at odds with their purpose. Confronting the racial inequality that has oppressed Black people is inherently consistent with their mission and beliefs.
Spies, Powers, & Robinson, P.C.
Website: https://www.sprlaw.net/
Focus: This Special Education law firm practice offers a full range of legal and advocacy services to protect and advance the interests of special needs students. They handle a broad range of education matters, including: Consulting on parent legal rights and the school district’s responsibilities to students; Advocacy at an IEP Team Meeting or Manifestation Determination Review; Legal representation for a mediation or due process proceeding; and IDEA Complaints and proceedings.
Transform Education Now (TEN)
Focus: TEN recognizes that access to high-quality education is a fundamental right of all people. Education systems that currently exist have been unequal and oppressive to certain sections of our city for too long. TEN exists to change that system by partnering with parents, students, community leaders, charter providers, local school districts and elected officials.
Thrive Preschool
Focus: This preschool is dedicated to building a community committed to building a more connected and sustainable world.
Wolff Child Psychology
Focus: Wolff Child Psychology is committed to supporting and empowering children, teens, and families through comprehensive evaluations, evidence-based therapy, and solution-focused behavioral services.
Worldmind Nature Immersion School
Website: https://worldmindnatureschool.com/
Focus: Worldmind inspires children from preschool through 8th grade to enjoy and appreciate learning through mindful, child-led outdoor experiences. Students who actively participate in the world outside their window often become more attentive, joyful and less anxious, which opens the mind to clear learning pathways. Traditional academic achievements occur organically in an interactive and responsive learning environment, and their unique educational curriculum promotes important educational principles and a compassionate understanding of bio and social diversity that lasts a lifetime.
Hours of operation
Mondays 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Tuesdays 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Wednesdays 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Thursdays 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Fridays By Appointment Only
Holiday closures
Duguay Ed values our families that support our endeavors and thus take the following Holidays and Breaks to enjoy our spouses, children, and extended family.
Holiday closures
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day
President’s Day
Memorial Day
Juneteenth
Labor Day
Indigenous People’s Day
Veteran’s Day
Thanksgiving Day
Native American Heritage Day
Holiday Extended Breaks
Fall Break - Week of October 31st
Winter break - December 20th to January 5th
Spring Break - Week of March 21st
Summer Break - June 30th to July 15th
Contact Us
Please use the contact information below
inquiry@duguayed.com
Phone Number
Coming Soon