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Meet Your Portland Advocates: Helping Families Through Change

  • tnjahangir
  • Dec 9, 2025
  • 5 min read

Updated: Dec 10, 2025

By Theresa Jahangir, Paulette Selman and Katie Jackson


There have been significant shifts in the disability landscape over the past few months, both here in Portland and across the nation. With Diane Wiscarson’s retirement, many in our community are feeling uncertainty about where families will turn for educational advocacy support. And now, with the recent layoffs in the Department of Education impacting the administration of services for students with disabilities, it’s understandable that families are left wondering what the future holds.

As educational advocates in Portland, we want you to know that a strong network of highly trained, independent advocates is here to support your family. We understand that news about potential federal cuts to special education administration can be worrying. Parents often ask whether this will mean fewer services, longer delays for evaluations, larger caseloads for staff, or less enforcement of IDEA and Section 504 protections. While these concerns are understandable, it’s important to know that IEPs and 504 plans remain legally binding, and the rights and protections under IDEA and Section 504 are still in place. Strong local advocacy—through parents, educators, and independent advocates—continues to be a powerful way to ensure your child receives the supports they need.


Though we do not provide legal representation and cannot replace an attorney, our work often helps families make meaningful progress with school districts through collaboration and relationship-building—frequently reducing the need for legal action in IEP and 504 meetings. Now is an excellent time to ensure your child’s support needs are fully addressed as we navigate the year ahead.

Theresa, Paulette, and Katie are educational advocates based in the Portland area who support families navigating IEPs and 504 plans. Each of us brings unique expertise, experience, and a personal approach to advocacy that may meet your family’s needs in different ways. We’re excited to introduce ourselves below and share how we can be of service during this time of transition and change.



After 18 years as a school counselor, most recently in alternative education, moving into full-time educational advocacy felt like a natural next step. I now support Portland-area families as an educational advocate, helping children find their place at school: a place where they feel safe, seen, and supported.


I know the educational system inside and out, but I also know what it’s like to be on the other side of the table. As the parent of a child with medical and developmental disabilities, I understand how complex and emotional this process can be. As part of an LGBTQ family, I also recognize how vital safety and trust are when working with schools. You can feel safe with me. There’s no story that would surprise me, and no judgment in how I support you.

The IEP and 504 process can be overwhelming, full of acronyms, meetings, and legal language that leave parents feeling unheard. My role is to help families make sense of that complexity, understand their rights, and approach advocacy with confidence and clarity. Together, we move from “crisis mode” to steady collaboration, developing strong, respectful relationships with educators and teams.


My approach is grounded in neuroaffirming advocacy: I center the needs of the child and ensure they feel affirmed, supported, and accommodated at school. Whether transitioning from preschool to kindergarten or navigating high school, I help families think creatively to find solutions that help students thrive.You can find me here to book your first free 20 minute consultation. 




As a special education advocate, I help families navigate the school system so their children can get the support they need to succeed. My background as a school psychologist gives me a unique lens. I understand how schools operate, how eligibility decisions are made, and what effective, data based supports look like in practice.

During my years in schools, I conducted psychoeducational evaluations, developed behavior plans, and collaborated closely with teachers, specialists, and administrators. This experience helps me guide families through the evaluation process, interpret assessment results, and identify services or accommodations that best meet their child’s needs.

I’m especially passionate about helping families make progress when school teams feel stuck. I help keep discussions grounded in both the legal requirements and the spirit of collaboration, ensuring that every decision is based on data and centered on the student’s unique needs.

My approach is calm, informed, and collaborative. I provide direct support in meetings, helping parents feel confident and ensuring teams design interventions that are effective and realistic to implement. Having worked in both Oregon and Washington, I understand the nuances of each state’s special education systems and can guide families through their specific processes and timelines.

Reach out here to schedule our first session. 


Hi, I’m Katie! I hold a Master of Science in Education from Portland State University with specializations in both Special and General Education. Over the past 18 years, I’ve served students with disabilities as a Special Education Teacher, Inclusion Specialist, and Autism Consultant. I’m also a parent to a child with complex medical needs, which gives me a deep understanding of what families experience in the special education process.

Before becoming an advocate, I worked across preschool through high school settings, developing and implementing IEPs and supporting students with a wide range of needs including learning disabilities, ADHD, Autism, and emotional and behavioral challenges. That firsthand experience helps me guide families through the complexities of special education with empathy and insight.

Today, I work with families in Oregon and Washington through my private practice, Northwest Neurodevelopment Center, which offers advocacy services as well as educational supports like tutoring, executive functioning coaching, and social skills groups. My approach is collaborative and child centered, helping families understand their rights, prepare for meetings, and build productive relationships with schools.

I believe every child deserves to feel supported and every family deserves to feel confident navigating the system. I’m honored to walk beside families through that journey.

You can contact my office here to schedule a free 30 min initial consultation or learn how to start working together.

Finding the Right Advocate for Your Family

Families in Oregon continue to have access to independent advocates dedicated to supporting students with IEPs and 504 plans. While each of us runs our own practice, we share the same goal: ensuring every child gets the support they need to thrive at school.

The right advocate is the one who feels like the best fit for your family. We encourage you to reach out, ask questions, and find someone whose style and approach match your needs.

We’re here to help your child feel seen, affirmed, and supported at school.

Get in touch with us:





 
 
 

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