top of page

Our Services

Educational Advocacy

Guiding Families Through the IEP & 504 Process

Navigating the special education system can feel overwhelming. Engel Advocacy provides expert guidance to families working through the Individualized Education Program (IEP) and 504 Plan process.

​

We support families by:

  • Reviewing evaluations and school records

  • Preparing for IEP and 504 meetings

  • Attending school meetings as an advocate

  • Addressing disciplinary concerns and manifestation determinations

  • Ensuring compliance with federal and state education law

  • Assisting with transition planning for older students

​

Our goal is simple: to ensure that children receive the appropriate educational services, accommodations, and protections they are legally entitled to — while empowering parents with clarity and confidence.

​

Guardian ad Litem (GAL) Services

Advocating for the Best Interests of Children and Vulnerable Individuals

Engel Advocacy provides Guardian ad Litem services in family, dependency, criminal, and special needs cases. Our role is to independently evaluate circumstances and advocate for what is in the best interest of the child or vulnerable individual.

​

Services include:

  • Independent investigations

  • Interviews with relevant parties

  • Court reports and recommendations

  • Collaboration with attorneys and service providers

  • Court testimony when necessary

​

Our approach is trauma-informed, child-centered, and grounded in professional ethics. We serve as a steady, objective voice focused solely on protection, stability, and long-term well-being.

​

Parenting Education & Coaching

Strengthening Families Through Knowledge and Support

Parenting is complex — especially when navigating trauma, behavioral challenges, or court involvement. Engel Advocacy offers structured parenting education and individualized coaching designed to strengthen families and improve outcomes for children.

​

Programs may include:

  • Trauma-informed parenting strategies

  • Parenting children with special needs

  • Co-parenting in high-conflict situations

  • Court-ordered parenting education

  • Support during reunification or family transitions

​

Parents leave with practical tools, evidence-based strategies, and greater confidence in their ability to lead their families effectively.

​

Relationship Coaching

Building Healthier Communication and Connection

Healthy relationships are foundational to family stability. Our relationship coaching services provide structured, goal-focused support for couples and families seeking stronger communication, conflict resolution skills, and renewed connection.

​

Coaching may address:

  • Communication breakdown

  • Blended family integration

  • Stress following crisis

  • Rebuilding trust

  • Family systems dynamics

​

This is a professional coaching service — not therapy — designed to help individuals and families move forward with clarity and practical tools.

​

CALM Training & Crisis Prevention Workshops

Counseling on Access to Lethal Means (CALM)

Engel Advocacy provides professional CALM training for families, caregivers, schools, agencies, and businesses serving high-risk populations.

​

This evidence-informed training equips participants to:

  • Recognize suicide risk factors

  • Conduct supportive conversations about lethal means safety

  • Reduce access to firearms, medications, and other high-risk items during crisis

  • Integrate safety planning into existing casework

​

CALM training is practical, respectful, and rooted in public health research. Small safety steps can save lives — and this training empowers professionals and caregivers to act confidently and effectively.

​

Expert Witness Services

Professional, Credible, and Court-Ready

​

Engel Advocacy provides expert witness consultation and testimony in matters involving:

  • Educational disputes

  • Child welfare and dependency cases

  • Trauma and family systems

  • Parenting capacity

  • Special education compliance

​

Services include comprehensive record review, written expert opinions, deposition participation, and courtroom testimony.

Led by Jessica Engel, PhD, Engel Advocacy brings doctoral-level expertise and court experience to complex cases requiring clarity, credibility, and precision.

​

Adoption Competency & Permanency Support

Supporting Families Through Adoption and Permanency Transitions

With specialized adoption competency training, Engel Advocacy supports families navigating adoption, foster care, guardianship, and permanency planning.

​

Services may include:

  • Pre-adoption education

  • Post-adoption adjustment support

  • Attachment-informed parenting strategies

  • Advocacy within school and court systems

​

We understand the unique emotional, developmental, and systemic factors involved in  permanency transitions and provide guidance that prioritizes stability and long-term family success.

​

Benefits and Resource Navigation

Navigating public benefit systems can be overwhelming for families, especially when children require additional support. Engel Advocacy provides guidance and advocacy to help families access essential services such as Social Security benefits, Medicaid, and community-based resources.

​

Our services include:

  • Assisting families in understanding eligibility requirements for Social Security (SSI/SSDI) and Medicaid

  • Helping organize and gather required medical, educational, and supporting documentation

  • Providing guidance with completing benefit applications and required forms

  • Supporting communication with government agencies and service providers

  • Connecting families with additional community resources and support programs

  • Helping families navigate complex systems with clarity and confidence
     

Our goal is to simplify complicated processes, reduce stress for families, and ensure children receive the services and supports they need to thrive.

​

Future Expansion: Therapy Services

Integrated Clinical Care (Coming Soon)

Engel Advocacy is preparing to expand into clinical therapy services to provide fully integrated care across advocacy, education, and mental health systems.

 

Planned services include:

  • Individual therapy

  • Family therapy

  • Trauma-informed clinical interventions

  • Adoption-competent therapeutic care

​

This expansion reflects our commitment to meeting families where they are — and supporting them across every system they navigate.

bottom of page