Student Advocacy

Program wide accomplishments: Student Advocacy provided legal representation and counsel for 515 unduplicated youth ages 3 to 21 with disabilities in westchester and putnam counties new york and addressed 568 matters, between january 1, 2022 and december 31, 2022. Among the 537 closed matters, Student Advocacy successfully advocated for improved education services in 94% of the matters. 89% of clients receiving services from Student Advocacy attended schools in districts where 50% or more of the Student population is identified as economically disadvantaged. Student Advocacy is successfully reaching its target audience - families who are of meager and modest means and who without our assistance would be unable to access the education services to which their children are legally entitled. 88% of clients seek our legal services for special education related matters. 49% of students served are youth in grades pre-k through 6 indicating that the organization is serving students with disabilities early in their academic, social, and emotional development, when intervention can have the greatest and longest lasting impact. 95% of students served by the organization are students of color or from historically marginalized communities. 97% of families received services at no cost. 47 volunteers donated 159 hours serving on the overcoming the odds selection committee to choose the Student honorees for the 2022 oto awards recognition ceremony. The overcoming the odds middle school and high school programs provide legally based education Advocacy services for middle and high school students who are at risk for academic failure and dropping out of school due to physical and emotional disabilities, learning challenges, trauma, or disciplinary issues. The goal is to ensure that students receive the education services and supports to which they are legally entitled enabling them to experience academic success and remain in school. Youth are from eleven targeted communities: elmsford, greenburgh, mount vernon, new rochelle, ossining, peekskill, port chester, sleepy hollow, tarrytown, white plains and yonkers. Accomplishments: served 116 students and 118 matters; of the 114 matters closed during this period 91% of students received educational services that were more tailored to their learning needs. 76% of students received direct legal representation.

Solutions not suspensions: the solutions not suspension program addresses the needs of youth who are facing disciplinary action with the goal of limiting or eliminating the amount of time that a Student spends out of school. Research demonstrates the harmful impact of being suspended from school: "after being suspended, a Student is 20% more likely to fail; 8% more likely to drop out; and 55% more likely to become involved in the juvenile justice system." Student Advocacy seeks alternatives to suspensions that include restorative justice practices. Accomplishments: served 64 students and 67 matters ; of the 65 matters closed 93% resulted in a reduction in the amount of time spent out of school and the addition of services to address the students' social, emotional, and academic needs. The contract served those students most at risk. 100% were enrolled in school districts where 50% or more of the population is identified as economically disadvantaged.

Right start program: the right start program provides educational Advocacy for students in elementary school whose reading proficiency is two years or more below grade level. Advocates assisted students in obtaining the appropriate instructional supports to advance their reading skills while also addressing related learning barriers such as absenteeism and behavioral issues. Accomplishments: served 39 students and 41 matters; of the 34 matters closed during this period 97% received the appropriate services to address their literacy development. 95% of students received direct legal representation. Ready for life program: the ready for life program provided education Advocacy services for 26 students ages 15 to 21 with an iep, to ensure that a transition plan was developed that focused on improving the academic and functional achievement of the Student and facilitated the Student's movement from high school to post-school activities, including post- secondary education, vocational education, integrated employment, independent living, and community participation. Accomplishments: served 26 students and 29 matters ; of the 29 matters closed during this period ;97% of students received transition plans to support their post-secondary education, employment, and independent living goals. 90% of students received direct legal representation.

Department of probation:promoting school services for court involved youth program; provides legally based education Advocacy for students who have interacted with the juvenile justice system. Attorneys represent youth to ensure that they receive the educational services to which they are legally entitled and will enable them to return to or remain in school. We promote restorative justice practices as an alternative to disciplinary action. Accomplishments: served 52 students and 53 matters; of the 35 matters closed 83% received services that enabled them to return to or remain in school; 93% received direct representation and 94% are students of color or from historically marginalized communities.