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 Fredericksburg, VA · works with New York schools
Founder and Principal
Jonathan Martinis is the founder of LightPath Advocacy (www.lightpathadvocacy.com). For 25+ years he has helped people with disabilities and their families get the services and supports they're…
Virtual · based in Cumming, GA · works with New York schools
Founder
I raised three children with special needs, so I know what it’s like to sit in an IEP meeting and feel like no one is listening.
Virtual · based in Hialeah, FL · works with New York schools
Advocate
I look forward to helping families and their students get the crucial support they need. I have varied experience working with families and educators at the state and local levels.
See all 30 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.
No state license exists for special education advocacy. No federal agency issues one either, and no exam stands between a person and the title.
Check the references and not the letters after the name. Two calls to past clients settle it faster than any credential list.
Advocates do not decide complaints. The New York State Education Department does, and only after someone files one in writing.
Advocates who have never seen the file cannot tell you what is missing from it. Send the records first and book the call second.
One advocate listed here, Clara, works out of New York. The others reach New York families by video or by driving in.
Advocates who take New York City cases usually take these too. Say where you are in the first email so nobody wastes a week finding out.
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 should I budget for one IEP meeting?
Most advocates on this directory charge $75 to $150 per hour. A standard cycle with two hours of prep and two hours in the meeting runs about $400. Travel and extra meetings cost more.
Is it too late to bring in 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.
Print the current IEP and bring it to the first call. Every advocate on the New York list will ask for it.
Have the most recent New York City Public Schools progress report open on the first call. It shows whether the goals moved at all.
