Kimberly Ward
Special Education Advocate
Virginia
10 yrs experience
Remote
I have worked with individuals with disabilities, different abilities, and behavioral challenges for over 20 years. I have always advocated for my clients. Throughout my career, my support of individuals has evolved. I have provided direct Behavior Support in schools, including conducting behavior assessments and drafting behavior plans. I ran a Supported Employment group program where I created a Work Awareness Student Program for high school students with disabilities and assisted in developing a Job Coaching program. I have provided mental health and behavioral support for a local Juvenile Detention facility. Before starting Advocacy and Behavior Consulting, I served a local school district as the Behavior Support Coordinator for seven years. I also served as the Division Liaison for the VCU Autism Center for Education program and the district liaison for de-escalation and restraint training. I attended annual state and national conferences to co-facilitate the district Threat Assessment Team, creating policies, procedures, and building-level teams to maintain student and staff safety. Leadership changes and an overall shift in priorities left me, my department, and the students and families we served behind. After shouting from the rooftops, clearly documenting the mishandling and disregard for the laws protecting the rights of our most vulnerable, I realized I couldn’t fight the system from the inside. I couldn’t demand protection for the rights of students and their parents from the people in charge because they were the people who were violating the rights of the students that they are paid to educate and teach to be successful adults, so I stepped out on faith, and here I am.
Special ed & IEPs
Advocacy