Strategic Advocates for Special Education Excellence
We translate complex systems into clear, measurable outcomes for families.
Our Mission
EmpowerED Advocates exists to ensure children with disabilities receive services that are measurable, appropriate, and consistently delivered. We help families hold systems accountable through data-driven advocacy.
Our Vision
Our vision is to be the premier advocacy partner for DMV families who want results, not buzzwords, and who value clarity, accountability, and expert strategy in navigating special education.
How We Work
Collaboration without complacency
Tell us more about your background in the field so that we can customize your programme to fit you perfectly.
Progress as the benchmark
Our in-house experts will review all the information you submit in order to create a plan that works with your schedule and needs.
Meet the Team
EmpowerED Advocates was founded by experienced educators and advocates who recognized that well-written IEPs often fail in practice without systematic monitoring. We combine deep knowledge of special education law with tactical advocacy that produces measurable outcomes.
Keenia Adams
Founder & Lead Advocate
Special Education Teacher | Advocate | Mom
Special education specialist with years of experience supporting IEP planning, compliance reviews, and strategic advocacy across the DMV. She leads a results-focused practice dedicated to accountability and measurable progress.
Takila Harris
Founder & Director of Operations
Community Organizer | Project Manager | Mom
"I bring the systems thinking and heart to bridge schools and families, especially in Black and Brown communities that are too often left behind."
The EmpowerED Advantage
EmpowerED Advocates is not a general support service. We provide structured, data-driven special education advocacy designed to ensure systems work as intended for individual students.
Our approach is defined by four core advantages:
01
Strategy Before Emotion
We lead with preparation, documentation, and data—not urgency or reaction. This ensures advocacy efforts are focused, effective, and respected by school teams.
02
Compliance Meets Implementation
Many IEPs fail not because they are poorly written, but because they are poorly implemented. We focus on both—ensuring goals are measurable and services are delivered with fidelity.
03
Accountability Beyond the Meeting
Advocacy does not end when the meeting ends. We help families monitor progress, track service delivery, and hold systems accountable over time.
04
Collaboration With Clear Boundaries
We support productive, professional collaboration with schools—while maintaining firm boundaries when student access or progress is compromised.
The result:
Clear expectations. Measurable progress. Fewer surprises.
This is the EmpowerED difference.
OUR STORY
Our founders, with backgrounds in education, advocacy, and project management, saw the challenges families faced in securing quality education for children with special needs. EmpowerED Advocates was created to bridge this gap by providing expert guidance, assessments, and advocacy support
We've successfully helped dozens of families secure better IEPs, gain access to needed services, and improve student outcomes.