Bringing School District Funding to the TableConsultation Services for National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs (NATSAP) Programs & Private Schools
District Funding Strategy for Therapeutic & Private Schools
Advocacy Consultation for National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs Programs
IEP & FAPE Alignment Review
Family Education on Public Funding Pathways
Case Positioning & Documentation Guidance
District-Facing Communication Strategy
Professional Development & On-Site Training
Ethical Funding Frameworks That Reduce Conflict
Therapeutic programs and private schools are doing life-changing work. But here’s the reality: many families who need you the most are financially stretched—and school districts often resist funding placements unless someone knows how to navigate the system strategically.
That’s where structured advocacy consultation makes the difference.
I offer fee-based consultation services to therapeutic programs, residential schools, and private special education settings that want to:
Strengthen their understanding of district funding pathways
Align programming with IDEA and Section 504 standards
Support families in presenting a clear, data-driven case for funding
Reduce friction between districts and programs
Increase successful publicly funded placements
This is not about “fighting districts.”
It’s about positioning your program in a way that makes funding defensible.
Why This Matters for Programs
Many strong programs lose potential students—not because the child isn’t appropriate—but because the funding case isn’t built correctly.
Common issues I see:
IEP language that doesn’t clearly document lack of progress
Insufficient connection between evaluation data and level of care
Confusion about least restrictive environment arguments
Poorly prepared parent concerns letters
Programs unsure how to communicate with districts without overstepping
When districts don’t see a legally sound rationale, they say no.
When the case is built correctly, the conversation changes.
What I Provide
1. Program Strategy Sessions
High-level training on:
IDEA standards and FAPE considerations
When residential or therapeutic day becomes educationally necessary
How districts analyze “appropriateness”
Common district objections—and how to anticipate them
2. Family-Facing Advocacy Education
Helping programs:
Educate families on realistic funding pathways
Understand timelines and documentation
Prepare for IEP meetings strategically
Avoid emotional missteps that derail cases
3. Documentation & Positioning Review
Review of marketing language through a funding lens
Ensuring program descriptions align with IEP language
Clarifying clinical vs. educational necessity distinctions
4. District-Facing Communication Guidance
How to collaborate without appearing adversarial
When to recommend outside advocacy or legal support
How to stay within ethical boundaries
Why Programs Seek This Support
Programs want:
Fewer stalled referrals
Stronger relationships with districts
Better prepared families
Increased likelihood of public funding approval
Clear ethical guardrails
And frankly—clarity.
Because when everyone understands the process, fewer placements collapse due to misunderstanding.
Who This Is For
Therapeutic day schools
Residential treatment centers
Boarding schools serving students with disabilities
Private special education programs
Programs affiliated with National Association of Therapeutic Schools and Programs
Consultation Structure
Services are offered on a fee basis and may include:
Virtual trainings
On-site professional development
Case consultation blocks
Multi-phase funding strategy packages
Ongoing advisory retainers
Each engagement is customized based on the program’s goals, size, and current referral challenges.
The Bigger Picture
When districts fund placements appropriately:
Students access the level of care they need
Families feel supported rather than overwhelmed
Programs maintain stability
Conflict decreases
This work is about building bridges—not battles.
If your program wants to better understand how school district funding decisions are made—and how to ethically position families for success—I’m happy to explore whether a consultation partnership makes sense.
Let’s bring school districts to the table the right way.
