A steady voice at the table when the stakes are your child.
Like having a former special education director in your corner.
Access & Bloom Center provides independent advocacy and coaching for families navigating IEPs, 504 plans, and the road to adulthood — grounded, prepared, and always on your side.
In-person across Washington & Oregon · Virtual support nationwide · Servicios disponibles en español
You know your child. I know the system. Together that's a strong table.
Having sat on the district side of hundreds of IEP meetings, I know how decisions really get made — and how to help families be heard without the room turning adversarial. Access & Bloom Center also works alongside a trusted network of therapists, evaluators, and special-education attorneys, so your family has the right support at every step.
Prepared
We walk into every meeting with the records read, the goals mapped, and a plan for what we're asking for.
Grounded
Calm, specific, and rooted in what the law and the evidence actually support — not just what feels urgent.
Collaborative
The goal is a working relationship with your school, not a war. Firm on your child, generous with the team.
Yours
You stay the decision-maker. My job is to give you the clarity and language to lead your own child's plan.
Ways to work together.
Start small with a plan review, get support at the table, or build lasting confidence in a workshop. Every engagement begins with a free consultation so we can find the right fit.
IEP & 504 Advocacy
Record review, meeting prep, and someone beside you at the table who knows exactly how the process works.
- Single meeting supportfrom $450
- One IEP meeting process$2,500
- Monthly membershipfrom $450/mo
- Hourly consultation$175/hr
Transition Coaching
Guiding students and families through the shift toward adulthood — post-secondary, work, and independent living.
- Monthly support retainerfrom $450/mo
- Hourly coaching$150/hr
IEP & 504 Review
A written, plain-language read of your child's current plan — what's strong, what's missing, and exactly what to ask for next.
- Full plan review + written summaryfrom $250
- Add a strategy call+$95
Parent Workshops
Small-group sessions that teach families how the IEP and 504 process really works — so you walk into every meeting prepared. Ofrecidos en español.
- Group workshop seatfrom $45
- Private group (school or org)inquire
Dispute Resolution Support
When things break down with the school, I help you prepare for and navigate the formal process — facilitated meetings, mediation, and due process — always on your family's side. I provide advocacy and preparation, not legal representation.
- Preparation & strategy$175/hr
- Meeting supportfrom $450
Tutoring & Skill Building
One-on-one support that helps students make real, measurable progress — building the skills and habits that carry them toward independence.
- Goal progressIEP-aligned
- Executive functioningplanning & focus
- Independent living skillsreal-world
Year-round support, not just one meeting.
For families who want an advocate in their corner all year — continuous guidance, priority access, and someone who already knows your child's story. Three-month minimum, then month-to-month; pause or cancel anytime after.
- One 60-minute check-in call each month
- Document & email review, up to 2 hrs/month
- Message support, 48-hour response
- Priority scheduling
- Meeting attendance at a member rate
Best for families managing an active plan who want continuity.
- Everything in Essential
- Up to 2 hrs/month of meeting attendance included
- Faster 24-hour response window
- Quarterly strategy sessions
Best for families in an active dispute or a high-stakes year. One-time $250 onboarding (records review & intake) to begin.
All memberships begin with a three-month minimum term, then continue month-to-month. The minimum may be waived for families experiencing hardship — just ask.
From first call to a plan you trust.
Free consultation
A no-cost call to hear what's happening and decide together whether I'm the right fit.
Review & prepare
I read the records, evaluations, and current plan, then map what we'll ask for and why.
At the table
I join your meeting — in person or virtual — to keep it focused, fair, and grounded in your child's needs.
Follow through
A written summary, clear next steps, and support making sure the plan is actually carried out.
Chelsea VenegasFounder & Advocate
I've been on both sides of the IEP table.
For over eleven years I've worked in special education as a teacher, an assistant principal, and most recently as an Assistant Director of Special Education at the district level. I've written the plans, run the meetings, and made the hard calls about resources.
I started this practice because families deserve someone with that inside knowledge sitting on their side of the table — calm, prepared, and fluent in how schools actually work.
- M.Ed in Educational Leadership & Policy, University of Texas at Arlington
- Active administrator licenses in Washington & Oregon
- District-level special education leadership experience
- Bilingual in English & Spanish — se habla español
Good to know before we talk.
What does a special education advocate do?
An advocate helps you understand your child's rights, prepare for meetings, and communicate effectively with your school so your child gets the services they're entitled to. I review records, help set goals, and attend meetings with you — but you always remain the decision-maker for your child.
Are you a lawyer? Do I need one?
No — I'm an advocate, not an attorney, and I don't provide legal representation. Most families never need a lawyer; strong preparation and clear communication resolve the large majority of situations. If a case ever does call for legal counsel, I'll tell you honestly and can point you toward it. Free state resources like PAVE (Washington) and FACT Oregon can also help you understand your rights.
Do you work virtually or only in person?
Both. Because special education advocacy works under IDEA — a federal law — I can support families in any state virtually, by video and phone. I attend meetings in person across Washington and Oregon, and join families everywhere else remotely. Coaching and reviews are virtual for flexibility.
¿Ofrece servicios en español?
Sí. Soy bilingüe y ofrezco consultas, reuniones y materiales en español. Language should never be a barrier to advocating for your child.
How do we start?
With a free consultation. It's a short, no-pressure call to talk through what's going on and figure out whether working together makes sense. There's no obligation to continue.
Find a time that works for you.
Every family starts with a free consultation. Pick a slot below and I'll be in touch to confirm.
Calendar not loading? Email me to book and I'll find you a time.
Simple, transparent, no surprises.
The first consultation is always free. After that, here's how it works.
How you pay
You'll receive a secure invoice through Square and can pay by credit card, debit, or bank transfer — no account needed.
When you pay
Hourly and review work is invoiced as we go. The IEP package is a flat fee covering one meeting process, with a deposit to start. Memberships begin with a three-month minimum term (waivable for hardship), then bill monthly and can be paused or cancelled anytime after. Workshop seats are paid at sign-up.
Cancellations
Life happens. Please give 24 hours' notice to reschedule a session; late cancellations may be billed for the reserved time.
Cost should never be the reason a child goes without support. If the fees are a barrier for your family, reach out — limited sliding-scale spots and payment plans are available. Servicios y pagos disponibles en español.
Your child deserves a prepared advocate.
Book a free, no-obligation consultation. Tell me what's happening, and we'll figure out the right next step together.