Connect with advocates who understand New York City's CSE, CPSE, IEP, IESP, and District 75 systems across public, charter, private, religious, preschool, and specialized settings.
1 based in New York · 3 virtual advocates who work with New York schools
NYC families may work through a school-based IEP team, a Committee on Special Education, a Committee on Preschool Special Education, or a specialized office depending on the child's age and school setting.
District 75 provides highly specialized programs across the city for some students with significant needs. Students placed by their families in private or religious schools may receive equitable services through an Individualized Education Services Plan rather than a public-school IEP.
Local starting points include school-based IEP team, CSE and CPSE offices, District 75, Individualized Education Services Plan (IESP), and Citywide Council on Special Education.
The correct route depends on age, school type, residence, and requested service. A family may work through a school-based IEP team, CSE, CPSE, or another city office; District 75 and IESP procedures apply only in the settings where they are relevant.
A New York City advocate can identify the correct office, organize evaluations and service records, prepare for CSE or CPSE meetings, and help the parent distinguish a NYSED compliance complaint from an impartial-hearing claim that may require an attorney.
Compare advocates serving NYC families across district, charter, private, religious, preschool, and District 75 contexts.
This advocate lists New York as their home base. Compare rates, read their background, and message them directly.
Based in New York, NY
Special Education Advocate
Clara Liriano, M.S., is a Special Education Advocate and New York State Certified Special Education Teacher with more than 20 years of experience supporting children and individuals with…
These advocates are not based in New York. They join IEP meetings by video or phone, which IDEA allows when you and the school agree.
Virtual · based in Philadelphia, PA · works with New York schools
Educational Consultant
I began this journey because my own daughter was issued an IEP in 3rd grade. I didn't understand special education.
Virtual · based in San Diego, CA · works with New York schools
Special Education Advocate
At the Sanford Autism Advocacy Group (SAAG), we are a small but mighty special education consulting group with an emphasis on Autism and IEPs.
Virtual · based in Katy, TX · works with New York schools
Special Education Advocate
Besides being a parent of a neurodivergent son, I have been a special education teacher, diagnostician, and advocate for the past 30 years. I am a true hands-on, walk in your shoes type of advocate.
See all 25 virtual advocates who work with New York families
New York City Public Schools uses school-based IEP teams, borough and district CSE or CPSE offices, District 75, and separate processes for students in private, religious, charter, preschool, or nonpublic settings.
The correct New York City pathway depends on borough, community school district, age, enrollment type, and whether the student needs an IEP or an IESP.
New York gives a school district 60 calendar days to finish an initial special education evaluation. No New York rule sets a separate deadline for answering a written request, so the federal reasonable-time standard is what applies. Missed deadlines are handled by the New York State Education Department, Office of Special Education, which takes written state complaints from parents.
Attorneys are licensed. Advocates hold no license, and the difference matters most when a case gets close to a hearing, which is the point where the New York district starts talking to its own lawyer.
New York City Public Schools does not approve or bar advocates. Federal rules let a parent bring anyone with knowledge of the child to the meeting.
Hiring an advocate does not pause a deadline or undo a meeting that already happened. The work starts from wherever the New York file sits today.
Nobody can undo a meeting you already agreed to in writing. Read the page you are asked to sign before the room empties.
One advocate listed here, Clara, works out of New York. The others reach New York families by video or by driving in.
Read a profile for what the advocate actually did, not for what the profile claims. Case detail is the tell.
Answers about hiring a special education advocate in New York, New York, including cost, timing, virtual support, and Section 504 help.
When does an NYC family contact a CSE or CPSE?
Families commonly work with a CPSE for preschool services and a CSE for certain school-age referrals, private or religious school services, homeschooling, nonpublic-school matters, or students who are not handled solely by a public-school IEP team.
What is District 75?
District 75 is a citywide NYC public-school district that provides highly specialized instructional supports in stand-alone schools, programs co-located in community schools, hospitals, homes, and other settings when recommended by the IEP team.
How much does an IEP advocate cost in New York?
Flat fees are common for a single meeting and hourly billing is common for everything else. Many advocates give a free first call. Nobody bills you through this site, so ask each person how they invoice.
At what point do parents usually call an advocate?
Bring somebody in when the file stops making sense to you. A routine review with services in place and progress data that moves usually does not need one.
Official New York links for parents in New York.
Last reviewed 2026-08-11.
The same New York rules apply in New York City, Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan and the other cities listed here, or see every New York advocate.
If nobody here fits, check the New York City page next. The same New York rules apply there.
Do not sign anything at the first meeting if you are unsure. Consent can wait a day.
