When a child has special needs, parents suddenly find themselves navigating a world of IEPs, 504 Plans, evaluations, school meetings, and unfamiliar regulations. For many families, the process can feel confusing and overwhelming.
That’s where Open Doors Educational Advocates steps in.
Founded about 14 years ago by Patricia Schuppe and Triesha Foglia-Edwards, the Hudson Valley-based organization helps families understand their educational rights, prepare for school meetings, and work collaboratively with school districts to secure the services their children need.
“We really wanted to help families better navigate the system,” Schuppe said. “So many families do not really understand the process and how everything works.”
Schuppe has taught special education for more than 30 years, while Foglia-Edwards began her career as a school psychologist before becoming a special education administrator. Together, they lead a team of experienced advocates who guide families through New York’s often-complex special education system.
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Building a bridge between parents and schools
The idea for Open Doors grew from years of working together in preschool special education.
While participating in CPSE (Committee on Preschool Special Education) meetings, Schuppe and Foglia-Edwards realized they were frequently helping friends and families understand evaluations, IEPs, and the transition from Early Intervention to preschool services.
“We were consulting a lot of our friends and providing a lot of support and advice,” Schuppe recalled. “We thought, ‘Wouldn’t this be a great thing to do?'”
Their goal has never been to create conflict between parents and schools.
“We wanted to help families build a bridge with their school district and truly understand the process,” Schuppe explained. “Once a child has an IEP, families need to understand what it means and what services their child is legally entitled to receive.”
Instead of taking an adversarial approach, Open Doors works alongside both families and school districts to help ensure children receive appropriate educational support.
Understanding parents because they’ve been there
Schuppe’s commitment to advocacy is deeply personal. In addition to being a longtime special education teacher, she is also the parent of a child with disabilities.
“I had a son with disabilities,” she shared. “Even with my background, I felt lost at the meeting. I remember thinking, ‘What are you talking about? I don’t understand?'”
That experience shaped the compassionate approach she brings to every family.
“Because we’ve sat on that side of the table, we’re able to really empathize with parents,” she said. “It’s okay that you don’t fully understand what’s going on. We’re going to help you understand the process so you don’t feel intimidated, overwhelmed, or anxious.”
One of the most important messages she shares is that parents are equal partners in every IEP meeting.
“The major thing we want parents to realize is that they are an equal team member in the process,” Schuppe said. “Their input is as valuable as all of the educators, administrators, and therapists. Parents know their child better than anybody else.”
Empowering parents to advocate
Open Doors supports children from birth through age 21, helping families review IEPs, understand evaluations, recommend appropriate services, attend CSE meetings, and navigate New York’s special education process.
Many families come to the organization because they believe their child is not receiving the support they need or because they are unsure how to move forward.
Rather than creating conflict with school districts, the team carefully reviews each child’s records before helping parents develop a clear plan.
“We review everything the family sends us,” Schuppe said. “Then we inform parents what their next steps are, so they have a plan.”
Ultimately, however, the organization’s goal reaches beyond solving a single problem.
“Honestly, a lot of our goal is to put ourselves out of business,” Schuppe said with a laugh. “We want parents to become their own advocates and understand what their child is legally entitled to.”
Trust your instincts and never give up
One memorable success involved a student whose school district wanted to move her from a 504 Plan to an IEP. After Open Doors helped the student and her parents present their concerns, the district agreed to keep the 504 Plan. The student later graduated from college and is now successfully employed.
For Schuppe, the experience highlights the importance of listening to families and recognizing that every child has unique needs.
“If you feel that something is not right, and you have that gut instinct as a parent, go with that,” she said. “Ask questions. If you feel you’re not being heard, reach out to an advocate.”
She also encourages parents to never lose hope.
“Continue to support and love your child,” Schuppe said. “Do what you feel is best for your child, keep fighting, don’t give up, and know that you do have people here willing to help you.”
For families navigating the special education journey, Open Doors aims to provide not only guidance but also the confidence to become informed advocates for their children.
