Amanda's Big Day of Giving Fundraiser

A little over two years ago, I helped cofound EG SPEAKS after connecting with other parents in Elk Grove Unified who were struggling to navigate the special education system — just like I was.

My journey into this work began long before EG SPEAKS existed. My son, Oliver, was diagnosed with developmental delays at just 18 months old. It would take until he was 4 years old for him to finally receive an autism diagnosis. Like many parents of children with disabilities, I spent years searching for answers, resources, and support while trying to make sure my child received the services he needed to thrive.

Our family moved to Elk Grove specifically because of its reputation for special education services. As one of the largest school districts in California, we believed we would find the support and guidance our son needed. Instead, we quickly realized how difficult and overwhelming it was to navigate the IEP process. There was little to no parent education available. We walked into meetings feeling unprepared, confused, and often unheard — with decisions that sometimes felt predetermined before we even entered the room.

Oliver was placed in programs that were not appropriate for his needs. He was identified with learning disabilities in 1st grade, yet it wasn’t until 4th grade that he finally began receiving interventions and curriculum designed to support those disabilities. Getting those supports was not easy. It took countless emails, repeated requests for IEP meetings, asking hard questions, requesting progress data, and constantly advocating for accommodations and services. I had to fight for every piece of support my child received.

Everything began to change when I connected with other parents and advocates — people who are now my colleagues and close friends — who supported me, educated me, and attended IEP meetings alongside me. For the first time, I didn’t feel alone. And for the first time, we began to see meaningful progress for my son.

What I learned through this experience is that my story is not unique.

There are hundreds of families across Elk Grove facing the same barriers: confusion, isolation, lack of resources, and a system that can feel impossible to navigate without support. Families should not have to become experts in special education law just to ensure their children receive an appropriate education.

That’s why we created EG SPEAKS.

EG SPEAKS exists to fill the gap in our community by providing advocacy, education, resources, and support to families navigating special education and disability services. We believe every family deserves access to guidance, empowerment, and a community that understands what they are going through. Most importantly, we believe every student with disabilities deserves the services, accommodations, and care they need to succeed.

Your support helps us continue this mission. Every donation helps us provide advocacy services, caregiver support groups, educational workshops, community outreach, and resources to families who desperately need someone in their corner.

Thank you for believing in this work, in these families, and in a future where no parent has to navigate this journey alone.