About us
We stand beside families.
Advance Foundations Advocacy Center helps parents of children with special needs understand their rights, prepare for school meetings, and get the services their children are entitled to.
Why we exist
A system that wasn't built with parents in mind
Special education comes with its own language: IEPs, 504 plans, evaluations, eligibility, placement, prior written notice. Most parents meet all of it at once, often after a hard phone call from school. Meetings move fast, the paperwork is long, and it can feel like every decision has already been made before you sit down.
We started Advance Foundations so families don't have to walk into those rooms alone. We explain the process in plain language, help you prepare, and sit beside you at the table so your child's needs are heard and written down.
We stand in the gap for:
- Children with disabilities and learning differences
- Minority families who have too often been left out of the conversation
- Any family trying to make sense of the education system
Our founder
Zandra Ashley
Zandra Ashley founded Advance Foundations in 2017 with a simple conviction: no parent should have to fight for their child's education by themselves.
Before building the advocacy center, Zandra served as an Education Specialist with Families Helping Families of Region 7, part of Louisiana's family-to-family network for parents of children with disabilities. That work meant helping parents make sense of evaluations, IEPs, and their rights under IDEA and Section 504, and it showed her how often families leave school meetings unsure of what was decided or why.
For Zandra, this work is a calling. Her faith shapes why she does it: to speak up for children who can't yet speak up for themselves, and to make sure their parents are treated as the experts on their own kids.
What guides us
Our mission
To empower families, protect student rights, and advocate for equitable and inclusive education for every child.
Our vision
A future where every student is seen, supported, and successful in a safe, inclusive, and equitable education system.
How we work
What families can expect from us
We listen first
You know your child best. Every case starts with your story, your concerns, and what you want for your child.
We explain in plain language
No jargon. We walk you through your rights, the school's obligations, and what each document means before you sign anything.
We show up
We attend IEP, 504, and school meetings with you, keep the focus on your child, and help you follow up in writing.
Help us reach more families
Your gift helps a parent walk into their next school meeting prepared.