A Systems-Level Perspective
Experience as a special education teacher, school administrator, district special education leader, and advocate provides insight into how special education systems operate.
Now Accepting New Clients
Oregon, Washington & Nationwide Special Education Advocate · Access & Bloom
Special Education Advocacy & Disability Rights
Supporting families navigating IEPs, 504 Plans, evaluations, Child Find, placement, behavioral supports, discipline, transition planning, and special education disputes.
Every student deserves access to thrive.
- Former District Special Education Leader
- Serving Oregon, Washington & Nationwide
- Se Habla Español
Experienced advocacy. Clear guidance.
Why Families Choose Access & Bloom
Clear, Practical Guidance
Special education can feel overwhelming. Families receive clear explanations, preparation, organization, and actionable next steps.
Student-Centered Advocacy
Recommendations remain centered on the student's individual needs, meaningful access, progress, and educational opportunity.
Collaborative but Firm
Access & Bloom supports productive collaboration while helping families understand and protect their child's educational rights.
Knowledge brings clarity
Special education shouldn't feel impossible to navigate.
Whether you are preparing for an IEP meeting, evaluation, placement decision, or another school concern, Access & Bloom helps you understand your options, identify priorities, and move forward with a clear plan.
Special education advocacy services
How I Can Help
IEP & 504 Support
Review your child's plan, prepare for meetings, and have support at the table.
Includes: IEP review · Section 504 plans · Meeting preparation and attendance · Parent communication
Evaluations & Eligibility
Request an evaluation, understand the results, and know what to ask next.
Includes: Child Find · Initial evaluations · Eligibility · Reevaluations · IEEs
Behavior & Discipline
Guidance when behavior and disability overlap, at school or in discipline.
Includes: FBAs · Behavior intervention plans · Discipline · Manifestation determination
Placement & Disagreements
Organized, informed advocacy on where your child learns and when you disagree with the school.
Includes: Placement · Least restrictive environment · Dispute support · Disability rights
Records & Notices
Make sense of what the school has documented, proposed, or refused.
Includes: Records review · Progress monitoring · Prior Written Notice · FERPA requests
Transition Planning
Plan for life after high school: education, work, and independence.
Includes: Transition IEP goals · Postsecondary planning · Student self-advocacy
Child Find & special education evaluation
Child Find & Evaluation Support
If you believe your child may have a disability affecting their education, you do not have to wait until they are failing to begin asking questions.
Need Help Requesting an Evaluation?
Schedule a ConsultationI help families navigate concerns involving:
- Child Find
- Requests for special education evaluations
- Initial eligibility evaluations
- Reevaluations
- Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs)
- Evaluation timelines
- Eligibility meetings
- Reviewing assessment results
- Concerns when a school declines or delays an evaluation
- Understanding prior written notice related to evaluation decisions
The school district conducts evaluations and determines eligibility. I provide advocacy, education, and preparation alongside you. Learn more
Chelsea Venegas, M.Ed.
Founder & Special Education Advocate
Experience with empathy
Meet Chelsea
Chelsea Venegas, M.Ed., brings more than a decade of experience inside special education as a teacher, school administrator, and district special education leader, along with advocacy work at a special education law firm.
That inside perspective helps families understand how IEP teams operate, how decisions are made, and how to advocate effectively for their child. Chelsea provides advocacy in both English and Spanish.
She holds an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Texas at Arlington and administrator credentials in Oregon and Washington. She is a member of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA), a professional membership rather than a certification or endorsement.
She founded Access & Bloom to make expert advocacy understandable, personal, and accessible to every family.
Credentials
M.Ed. · Former District Special Education Leader · COPAA Member · Bilingual English and Spanish
What to expect
A Clearer Path Forward
Tell me what's happening.
Start with a consultation about your child's situation and your concerns.
Identify the priorities.
We'll look at the information, questions, and decisions that matter most.
Build your advocacy plan.
Move forward with clearer priorities, stronger questions, and knowledgeable support.
Pricing & services
Transparent Advocacy Pricing
Expert special education advocacy with clear, straightforward pricing.
Families deserve to understand what support will cost before getting started. Access & Bloom provides experienced, individualized special education advocacy without confusing billing or unexpected fees.
The complimentary 15-minute call is a brief opportunity to determine fit and identify what kind of support may be helpful. In-depth case discussion, document review, and advocacy strategy begin with the 60-minute Initial Advocacy Consultation.
Free 15-Minute Call
No cost
A brief conversation to understand your concerns, confirm fit, and identify the right starting point.
Focused Records Review
$350 flat fee
A focused review for families who need clarity on one key document before deciding what comes next.
- Up to 2 hours of review and analysis
- Review of one primary document, such as a current IEP, Section 504 plan, evaluation report, or Prior Written Notice
- Identification of key concerns and questions to raise with the school
- Written summary of findings and recommended next steps
A good starting point when you have a specific document in hand and want to know where you stand.
Full Records Review
$525 flat fee
A comprehensive review for families with multiple records, a longer history, or a more complex situation.
- Up to 3 hours of review and analysis
- Review of IEPs, Section 504 plans, evaluations, notices, progress reports, correspondence, and other educational records
- Identification of patterns, gaps, and advocacy priorities across records
- Written summary of findings and recommended next steps
Recommended when concerns span multiple years, documents, or decisions.
Not sure which review fits? We'll determine the right option together during your free 15-minute call. Additional review time beyond either package is billed at $175/hour, only with your approval.
Initial Advocacy Consultation
$175
60 minutes
A one-on-one conversation for families who want to talk through their situation before sharing documents.
- Discussion of your child's needs and your primary concerns
- Guidance on possible next steps
- Time for your questions
- Recommendations for advocacy support
IEP/504 Meeting Preparation
$350 flat fee
Focused preparation for one upcoming school meeting.
- Up to 2 hours of preparation
- Your concerns organized into clear talking points
- Questions to ask the school team
- Recommended requests, supports, and follow-up
- A concise preparation summary to bring to the meeting
Meeting attendance is billed separately at the hourly rate.
Hourly Advocacy
$175/hour
Flexible support with you at the table and between meetings.
- Attendance at IEP, 504, eligibility, placement, and disciplinary meetings
- Communication with school and district staff
- Drafting and reviewing correspondence
- Additional document review and case research
- Advocacy strategy and follow-up
Billed in six-minute increments. You'll approve the expected scope before work begins.
Advocacy Packages
Prepaid hours at a reduced rate.
A bank of advocacy time for families who expect ongoing support across multiple meetings or decisions. Hours can be used for any service on this page.
| Hours | Rate | Total | You Save |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 hours | $165/hour | $825 | $50 |
| 10 hours | $160/hour | $1,600 | $150 |
| 15 hours | $155/hour | $2,325 | $300 |
| 20 hours | $150/hour | $3,000 | $500 |
Hours are valid for 12 months from purchase. Unused hours are handled according to your client agreement.
Sliding Scale
A limited number of reduced-fee spaces are available for families experiencing financial hardship. Rates are set individually based on circumstances and availability.
Ask About Sliding ScaleIn-Person & Travel
All services are available virtually nationwide. In-person advocacy may be available by arrangement, and any travel fees or expenses are discussed and approved before plans are made.
Planning for life after high school?
Our commitment
High-Quality Advocacy Should Be Accessible
Access & Bloom was created around a simple belief: families should be able to access knowledgeable, experienced advocacy without feeling that meaningful support is financially out of reach.
We believe in transparent pricing, thoughtful use of your advocacy time, and helping families understand their options before committing to additional services.
Common questions
Before you get started
Start with one conversation. Ongoing support is always your choice.
Free parent checklists →How does billing work?
Services are billed at the listed flat rate or hourly rate. You'll understand the expected scope and cost before work begins, with no hidden fees.
Do I have to purchase a package?
No. Every family can start with a single consultation, and there is no requirement to commit to ongoing services.
What if additional time is needed?
I will discuss the additional scope and cost with you before continuing. You decide whether you would like to move forward.
Are virtual meetings available?
Yes. I provide virtual advocacy, consultation, preparation, and meeting support.
What's the difference between an advocate and an attorney?
As a special education advocate, I help families understand their rights, prepare for meetings, review records, and communicate effectively with the school team. I am not an attorney and do not provide legal advice or representation. If your situation calls for legal action, such as filing for due process, I can help you understand when it may be time to consult a special education attorney.
What is the cancellation or rescheduling policy?
If plans change, please use the scheduling link to reschedule or contact me as early as possible. Specific terms are shared when you book.
Start with a conversation
You Do Not Have to Navigate Special Education Alone
Whether you are preparing for your first evaluation, questioning an IEP, addressing placement concerns, or trying to understand what happens next, I can help you organize the information, understand your options, and prepare to advocate for your child.
Book a Free 15-Minute CallNo pressure. Start with a conversation.
Atención disponible en español