MISSION EMPOWER

Mission Empower is a local, 501(c)3 nonprofit operating in Erie County since 2007. The organization reaches families who have children with any type of disability across Erie County, from birth to age 26. Mission Empower serves as educational advocates for these families, assisting them to obtain the supports and services their child needs to be successful at school and in the community.

Mission Empower currently engages with parents who have children with disabilities through several avenues. Educational advocacy is typically a complaint-driven process: parents are often not aware that educational advocates are available to help them navigate the school system and guide them to solutions for their child. Referrals from area agencies such as The Achievement Center and Erie County Care Management often come in only when the parents have reached a major impasse with their child’s school personnel about how to proceed with their educational needs and curriculum adaptations.

Mission Empower is working to reach out more proactively to families who have children receiving special education services with introductory and multi-part intensive parent training courses, covering topics from effective collaboration to basic education and disability law.