PARENT RESOURCE GUIDE
A resource guide for our Special Education & Exceptional students. For Parents, Educators, and Community Members
Introduction
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Jacob’s Puzzle: Who We Are & What We Do Why This Guide
Organizations
By Resource
Contact
JACOB’S PUZZLE FOUNDATION: WHO ARE WE & WHAT WE DO
WHO ARE WE?
Jacob Puzzle Foundation was created to empower and educate Black and Brown students of color who have learning difficulties and receive special education services. We provide targeted intervention strategies in math, reading, and social-emotional learning opportunities to foster growth. Our programs focus on preparing students for success through internship and career pathway opportunities, post-secondary transitions to two-year and four-year colleges, vocational training, and military options. We achieve this by offering project-based learning and intervention strategies designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge they need to thrive in their academic and professional journeys.
WHAT WE DO
The Jacob Puzzle Foundation is dedicated to supporting and educating students of color, particularly Black and Brown students with learning challenges who are receiving special education services. We aim to offer intervention strategies in math and reading and social-emotional learning opportunities. Our mission includes providing pathways for career internships, post-secondary success through exposure to both two-year and four-year college options, and vocational or military opportunities. We achieve this through project-based learning and intervention strategies that enhance social learning and practical skills.
WHY THIS RESOURCE GUIDE?
This guide was created to strengthen the connection between families and organizations by offering resources that help students thrive both academically and personally. While there are many support groups and resources for students with disabilities, families in low-income urban areas often face barriers to accessing them. As a nation, we are making strides in supporting special education and providing the necessary tools for student success. However, some of the legislation designed to help may not be fully implemented in every classroom.
That’s where this guide comes in. It’s designed to offer families additional opportunities to bridge the gap, especially where the school system may fall short due to its own limitations. Students of color with learning disabilities face unique challenges, and breaking down these barriers is crucial for their growth. By offering access to academic resources, career exploration, training, and more, this guide aims to empower families across the country to support their students in meaningful ways
RESOURCES BY ORGANIZATION
The Jacob’s Puzzle Foundation’s dedication to the empowerment of Black and Brown students of color with learning disabilities amplifies other organizations that promote similar missions is vital to the quality of education for all students and by providing equitable and reasonable pathways towards independent living and success.
RESOURCES BY CATEGORIES
COMMUNITY SUPPORT & SERVICES
COMMUNITY SUPPORT SERVICES ARE DESIGNED TO CREATE A NETWORK OF RESOURCES THAT FAMILIES AND STUDENTS CAN RELY ON OUTSIDE OF SCHOOL. THESE SERVICES OFTEN INCLUDE LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS THAT OFFER SUPPORT GROUPS,
MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES, AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES TAILORED FOR CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. PROGRAMS MAY INCLUDE AFTER-SCHOOL CARE, TRANSPORTATION ASSISTANCE, AND SOCIAL SKILL DEVELOPMENT.
ORGANIZATIONS THAT OFFER THIS SERVICE:
COUNSEL ACADEMY
POWERFUL BEYOND MEASURE
RESOURCES BY CATEGORIES
EDUCATION TEACHING TUTORING
SPECIALIZED EDUCATION AND TUTORING SERVICES FOCUS ON PROVIDING ACADEMIC SUPPORT FOR STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DIFFICULTIES. TUTORS MAY OFFER ONE-ON-ONE ASSISTANCE TAILORED TO THE STUDENT’S INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAM (IEP) GOALS, ENSURING THAT ACADEMIC INTERVENTIONS ALIGN WITH SCHOOL INSTRUCTION. THIS CAN INCLUDE HELP IN SUBJECTS SUCH AS MATH, READING, AND WRITING, WITH STRATEGIES DESIGNED TO ADDRESS SPECIFIC LEARNING CHALLENGES.
ORGANIZATIONS THAT OFFER THIS SERVICE: COUNSEL ACADEMY
POWERFUL BEYOND MEASURE
REALIZED CURRICULUM SOLUTIONS
RESOURCES BY CATEGORIES
I.E.P.
CONSULTING
IEP CONSULTATION SERVICES GUIDE PARENTS THROUGH THE COMPLEX PROCESS OF CREATING, REVIEWING, AND REVISING AN INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATION PROGRAM. PROFESSIONALS HELP INTERPRET EDUCATIONAL EVALUATIONS, SET APPROPRIATE GOALS, AND MONITOR PROGRESS.
CONSULTANTS MAY ATTEND IEP MEETINGS WITH PARENTS TO ADVOCATE
FOR THE NECESSARY ACCOMMODATIONS AND SERVICES THAT BEST SERVE THE CHILD’S UNIQUE LEARNING NEEDS.
ORGANIZATIONS THAT OFFER THIS SERVICE:
DESTINY HUFF CONSULTING, LLC
REALIZED CURRICULUM SOLUTIONS
S.O.A.R. EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
RESOURCES BY CATEGORIES
SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES
ORGANIZATIONS THAT OFFER THIS SERVICE:
DC CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING
DESTINY HUFF CONSULTING, LLC
FLOREO
NEXT STEPS EDUCATION
S.O.A.R. EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES ENCOMPASS A RANGE OF INDIVIDUALIZED INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES AND SUPPORT
DESIGNED FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES. THESE SERVICES ARE TYPICALLY DELIVERED BY CERTIFIED SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHERS AND SUPPORT STAFF WHO WORK TO MEET EACH STUDENT’S UNIQUE EDUCATIONAL NEEDS. THIS MAY INCLUDE SPEECH THERAPY, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, BEHAVIORAL INTERVENTIONS, AND TAILORED CLASSROOM INSTRUCTION.
RESOURCES BY CATEGORIES
PARENT ADVOCACY
PARENT ADVOCACY SERVICES EMPOWER FAMILIES TO NAVIGATE THE SPECIAL EDUCATION SYSTEM AND ADVOCATE EFFECTIVELY FOR THEIR CHILDREN’S RIGHTS. ADVOCATES HELP PARENTS UNDERSTAND THE LEGAL PROTECTIONS THEIR CHILD IS ENTITLED TO, ASSIST IN PREPARING FOR IEP MEETINGS, AND PROVIDE GUIDANCE ON HOW TO ADDRESS ANY CHALLENGES WITH SCHOOLS OR DISTRICTS. THEY ALSO HELP FAMILIES STAY INFORMED ABOUT CHANGES IN SPECIAL EDUCATION LAWS AND POLICIES.
ORGANIZATIONS THAT OFFER THIS SERVICE:
ADVOCATES FOR JUSTICE AND EDUCATION
DC CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING
NATIONAL PARENTS UNION NEXT STEPS EDUCATION
REALIZED CURRICULUM SOLUTIONS
MISSION
ADVOCATES FOR JUSTICE AND EDUCATION VISION
Advocates for Justice and Education
(AJE) seeks to empower families, youth, and the community to be effective advocates to ensure that children and youth, particularly those who have special needs, receive access to appropriate education and health services.
AJE implements a multi-strategy approach to carry out our mission. One-on-one assistance to immediately address a family’s issue and to identify systemic problems; Training to educate families, youth (and the community who works with families) about their rights to increase their knowledge and their capacity to self-advocate, to be peer advocates in support of each other, and engage in collective action; and Systemic Advocacy in partnership with families and other stakeholder partners to bring about systemic changes through power building, community education, policy, legislation, and litigation. Our services are free to DC families, youth, and the community.
COUNSEL ACADEMY
MISSION
Counsel Academy is dedicated to providing live online STE(A)M focused educational services, customized to the learning styles of each student (Grades 3-12) irrespective of their needs and challenges. We believe in a head start and planning in STEM education and related careers, with a strong focus on development of communication/writing skills and test preparation.
VISION
Their goal, along with their strong network of collaborators, is to develop into a one-stop resource for all educational needs of the children.
DC CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING
MISSION
e District of Columbia Center for Independent Living (DCCIL), Inc. is a 501 (c) (3) tablished in 1981 as a community-based, consumer-controlled, cross-disability enter designed to promote independent lifestyles for persons with significant disabilities in the District of Columbia.
VISION
DCCIL serves people with various disabilities and continues to help individuals live independently in their homes by providing training on safety techniques for cooking, travel, budgeting, and household maintenance. In addition, peer counseling and advocacy are provided to assist people in achieving their personal goals. This includes youth/transition.
DESTINY HUFF CONSULTING, LLC
MISSION
Purpose of Destiny Huff Consulting is to help parents advocate for their neurodivergent learner at the IEP table and to train schools, organizations, and parents on how to support neurodivergent learners in their educational setting.
FLOREO
MISSION
Floreo VR is a virtual reality-based therapy platform designed to help neurodiverse individuals develop social, communication, behavioral, and life skills.
VISION
Floreo utilizes immersive VR experiences to create engaging, safe, and supportive digital environments. These environments allow users to practice critical skills at their own pace without the constraints of a physical location. The VR sessions are guided by a coach using an iPad, enabling realtime interaction and feedback.
NATIONAL PARENTS UNION
MISSION
The National Parents Union acts as the modern voice of American working parents and families, amplifying their voices in advocacy, organizing, and policy spaces to gain better outcomes for kids.
NEXT STEPS EDUCATION
MISSION
Next Steps Education offers KIDS Discs, an online assessment students take and learn a deeper understand of who they are. They learn their behavior style, personality and how unique they truly are. The assessment comes with a full report that shows them how to be their very best in school and home.
POWERFUL BEYOND MEASURE
MISSION
PBM’s mission is to be an inclusive organization that provide youth with the resources, role models, self-esteem, opportunities and skills to shape them positively. PBM integrates the influential fields of the arts, entertainment, and sports into our programming, to attract, engage and motivate adolescents.
VISION
To utilize influential fields in the arts, sports, entertainment, and media industries to reach our targeted youth’s urban communities through multi-dimensional services that will help positively shape young people and empower the adults around them to become active leaders and contributors.
REALIZED CURRICULUM SOLUTIONS
MISSION
To equip families and educational ganizations with skills and resources to elp Black boys with disabilities realize endless possibilities.
VISION
o ensure all Black boys with disabilities re successful and empowered within their communities and schools.
S.O.A.R. EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
MISSION
S.O.A.R. Educational Services empowers families to transform "Chaos to Collaboration℠" in their special education journey, equipping them with the tools and strategies to champion their child's success within an inclusive, stigma-free learning environment.
VISION
S.O.A.R. Educational Services envision a world where every child thrives, reaching their full potential in inclusive communities free from stigma, fostered by seamless collaboration between families and educators, and ensuring culturally responsive advocacy that celebrates the unique strengths and needs of each child.
