Services & pricing
Clear, honest pricing for families
Every family starts with a free consultation. From there, you can choose a single service, a package, or hourly support, whatever fits your child’s needs and your budget. There’s never any pressure.
Start here
Free 30-minute consultation
Free
A no-pressure phone or video call. Tell me what’s happening at school, and we’ll talk through your options and next steps.
Single services
Focused help when you need it
Strategy Session
$135
60 minutes by phone or Zoom
- Talk through a specific concern or upcoming meeting
- Leave with clear next steps
- Great for a quick question or second opinion
Records Review & Written Summary
$200
Flat fee
- I review your child’s IEP, 504 plan, evaluations, and progress reports
- A plain-language written summary of strengths, gaps, and concerns
- One follow-up email for questions
Custom Accommodation Plan
$325
Flat fee
- A personalized list of supports tied to your child’s needs
- Each requested support connected to the law behind it
- Ready to share with your child’s school team
Packages
Support from start to finish
Meeting Package
$750
One IEP or 504 meeting
- Free consultation
- 60-minute strategy session
- Records review
- Custom Accommodation Plan
- Your rights: a plain-language explanation of your family’s rights under IDEA and Section 504, as they relate to your child’s needs
- Parent planning session before the meeting
- A written list of your concerns and requested supports
- I attend the meeting with you (in person or virtual)
- Follow-up summary and next steps after the meeting
Full-Year Support
$1,500
One school year
- Everything in the Meeting Package
- Up to 3 school meetings
- Ongoing email and phone support during the school year
- Help reviewing progress reports and plan updates
Hourly support
Flexible hours for ongoing needs
Hourly support works well for ongoing questions, extra meetings, or help filing a complaint with the Michigan Department of Education or the U.S. Office for Civil Rights.
Hourly rate
$140 / hour
Billed in 15-minute increments
5-Hour Bundle
$675
$135 per hour
10-Hour Bundle
$1,250
$125 per hour
Prepaid hours never expire and can be shared among siblings in the same family.
Groups & organizations
Workshops for parent groups
For Parent Advisory Committees (PACs), PTOs, support groups and community organizations that want to help families understand their rights and plan for their children’s needs.
Family Rights Workshop
$375
Per session · 60 to 90 minutes
- A plain-language overview of IDEA, Section 504 and Michigan special education rules
- How IEP and 504 meetings work, and how families can prepare
- Time for questions, plus a take-home handout
Workshop Series
$1,000
Three sessions
- Topics chosen with your group, such as accommodations, mental health supports, transitions or resolving disagreements
- Handouts for every session
- Follow-up questions answered by email between sessions
Planning Support for Group Leaders
$140 / hour
Billed in 15-minute increments
- Help planning parent trainings and meeting agendas
- Review of family-facing materials for clear, plain language
- Ideas for reaching and including more families
Volunteer-run PACs and nonprofit family groups receive 20% off workshops. Workshops can be in person or virtual, and travel within 60 miles of Macomb County is included.
Making support affordable
Every family deserves support
Payment plans. Packages and hour bundles can be split into smaller monthly payments. Just ask, and we will set up a plan that works for you.
Rates based on income. Reduced rates are available based on household size and income (see the tiers below). Families who receive SNAP, Medicaid (including Healthy Michigan Plan), SSI, or free or reduced-price school lunch automatically qualify for Tier 1. We can talk about this privately during your free consultation.
Other ways families pay. Some families may be able to use a MiABLE account or the Michigan Family Support Subsidy toward advocacy costs. Please check with those programs about what they cover.
Income-based rates
Rates based on household income
Tiers use the 2026 federal poverty guidelines and your household size. The free consultation is always free.
Who qualifies: yearly household income (before taxes)
| Tier | Discount | 2 people in home | 3 people | 4 people | 5 people | 6 people | Each extra person |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 50% off | Up to $32,460 | Up to $40,980 | Up to $49,500 | Up to $58,020 | Up to $66,540 | Add $8,520 |
| Tier 2 | 35% off | $32,461 – $43,280 | $40,981 – $54,640 | $49,501 – $66,000 | $58,021 – $77,360 | $66,541 – $88,720 | Add $11,360 |
| Tier 3 | 20% off | $43,281 – $64,920 | $54,641 – $81,960 | $66,001 – $99,000 | $77,361 – $116,040 | $88,721 – $133,080 | Add $17,040 |
| Standard | Standard rates | Over $64,920 | Over $81,960 | Over $99,000 | Over $116,040 | Over $133,080 | — |
Families who receive SNAP, Medicaid (including Healthy Michigan Plan), SSI, or free or reduced-price school lunch qualify for Tier 1 no matter their income. Income limits follow the federal poverty guidelines and are updated every January.
Rates by tier
| Service | Standard | Tier 3 (20% off) | Tier 2 (35% off) | Tier 1 (50% off) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Free consultation | Free | Free | Free | Free |
| Strategy Session | $135 | $110 | $90 | $70 |
| Records Review & Written Summary | $200 | $160 | $130 | $100 |
| Custom Accommodation Plan | $325 | $260 | $210 | $165 |
| Meeting Package | $750 | $600 | $490 | $375 |
| Full-Year Support | $1,500 | $1,200 | $975 | $750 |
| Hourly rate | $140 | $110 | $90 | $70 |
| 5-Hour Bundle | $675 | $540 | $440 | $340 |
| 10-Hour Bundle | $1,250 | $1,000 | $815 | $625 |
To apply: share proof of program enrollment (such as a SNAP or Medicaid letter) or a recent tax return or pay stubs. A signed statement of household size and income is accepted if documents are not available. Tiers are reviewed each school year, and income-based rates can be combined with payment plans. Your information is always kept private.
Free support
Free options for Michigan families
If a private advocate isn’t right for your family right now, these free programs can help. I’m always happy to point you in the right direction.
Michigan Alliance for Families
Free parent mentors, help understanding your rights, and workshops for families.
Disability Rights Michigan
Free, confidential help and referrals, plus a free guide to students’ rights.
1-800-288-5923 · drmich.org
Special Education Mediation Services
Free, neutral help to run a difficult IEP meeting or settle a disagreement.
1-833-KIDS1ST
Michigan Department of Education
Anyone can file a written state complaint if a school is not following special education rules.
Good to know
- Every family starts with a free 30-minute consultation.
- Meetings can be in person or virtual. Travel within 60 miles of Macomb County is included in packages.
- Prices are reviewed each school year.
- Need to reschedule? You can move an appointment for free with at least 24 hours’ notice. Cancellations with less than 24 hours’ notice, or missed appointments, are charged for the scheduled session.
Light the Way Family Advocacy provides educational advocacy services. I am not an attorney and do not provide legal advice or legal representation. For legal matters such as due process hearings, I can refer you to a special education attorney.
