The Advocacy Office of Virginia Blum

I’m Here to Help!

Being a parent of a special needs child is challenging enough, without throwing in the confusing process and jargon of PPT meetings. Virginia understands this not only from the parent perspective, having navigated this for her own daughter, but also as a special education advocate who strives to educate parents and lead them through PPT meetings to successfully advocate for their child’s needs.

About Virginia

Virginia Blum is a Special Education Advocate, wife, and proud mother of two daughters. She is based in Greenwich, Connecticut, and works for client families throughout the state. Prior to becoming an advocate, Virginia volunteered extensively at both of her daughters’ schools, as well as at Abilis, a nonprofit organization that provides services and supports for individuals with special needs, where she currently oversees the Abilis Youth Board. Virginia also is a member of the Board of Directors for Special Education Legal Fund (S.E.L.F.), a nonprofit organization with a mission to level the playing field for families in need with children in the special education system by providing resources, knowledge, and support during the advocacy process.

My Path to Advocacy

Our Services

Complete Review of Educational Record

Assessment of Individualized Education Program (IEP) and Section 504 Plan

IEP Development; Establishment of Measurable Goals and Objectives

Parent Coaching

Development of Strategy / Action Plans

Assistance with Drafting School Communications, Meeting Agendas, etc.

Direct Advocacy at PPT Meetings and 504 meetings

Consultations with Treating Professionals

Direct Negotiation with School Districts

Complaint Resolution Meetings with the CT Department of Education

Advise on Private / Therapeutic Placement Process

Referrals for Diagnostic / Treatment Services and Legal Representation

Contact Us

Testimonials

LT: Greenwich, CT

“Thanks to Virginia, I was able to put the incredibly stressful and demanding role of advocating for my child into more capable, objective, and professional hands. Virginia is not only an expert at SpEd law and interpreting goals, objectives, and shortcomings on an IEP, but she is laser focused at the PPT, driving home our case with perseverance, knowledge, and absolute will to ensure our access to the appropriate education for our child. The result of our work with Virginia enabled our daughter to grow her social and academic skills, creating a sea of change in her high school experience and truly improving the quality of life for our whole family. We are forever grateful for her services!”

LP: Fairfield, CT

“We can’t thank Virginia enough for helping us navigate the complex school system, understanding the terminology, what’s available and what’s possible. She has amazing ability to bring everyone together under a shared vision of what’s best for our son, we would be lost without her!”

JL: Granby, CT

“From the moment we started our work together, Virginia has been a strong advocate for our son. She took the time to understand his learning profile, listen to our concerns and answer our questions. Virginia helped us navigate the IEE process and was instrumental in creating an IEP that not only meets our son’s needs now, but works towards skills he’ll need in high school and beyond. Instead of feeling overwhelmed and frustrated, we now feel informed and empowered. We are extremely grateful for Virginia’s knowledge, guidance and support.”

MG: Greenwich, CT

“Virginia’s sound guidance and strong advocacy throughout our son’s challenging educational journey was invaluable. Having been through the process with her own daughter, Virginia not only excelled in preparing for and leading in each PPT meeting, but she saw ten steps ahead. She knew how to advise in the current situation to achieve the end result. She responded in less than 24 hours to my emails and phone calls while laying out the process in a very clear and actionable manner. Virginia is a powerful advocate and without her guidance and advocacy our son would not be where he is today in his education.”