Hi, I'm G. Francis.
And I know exactly how you found me.
You're here because you love your child fiercely, but you're exhausted from fighting a system that doesn't seem to care. You're here because you know something's not right, but everyone keeps telling you to "wait and see" or "give it time." You're here because you're done waiting, and you're ready to fight.
I've been exactly where you are.
The Beginning: When Everything Changed
My journey actually started when my son was in Kindergarten. His teacher saw delays but told me not to worry — "boys mature slower than girls." I kept that in mind, but he continued to digress. By 4th grade, he was stuck at a 1st grade reading level despite individualized sessions. My son's spirit was officially broken. He felt stupid, dumb — all the names kids negatively think of themselves.
As a single mom in New York City, I was so desperate to find him help that I transferred him out of 5 schools in 4 years — from Christian independent school to a public school in a more affluent neighborhood to Montessori school and back to public school. I even lost my job in the midst of it all, but kept him in the expensive Montessori program for as long as I could because I thought it might be the answer.
Through each school setting, I learned more about my son. He's a kinesthetic learner. The Montessori school showed me he's a project-based learner, just like me. Having a son with a diagnosis of ADHD, Dyslexia and Dysgraphia isn't the end of the world, but things are more challenging. We have to be realistic and honest about what our children are capable of while gently guiding them through this life of exploration. College isn't for every child, and that's okay — some thrive in vocational programs or other paths.
It took me 6 years of fighting and researching to finally speak their language and realize I wasn't crazy. By the time my son got the services he deserved, he was 11 years old.
The Maze: Learning to Navigate Alone
What followed were 6 years of the most frustrating, overwhelming, and lonely experience of my parenting life. I learned words like "IEP" and "504" and "FAPE" from Google at midnight. I printed articles and highlighted legal documents I barely understood.
The evaluations I was receiving clearly indicated that my son had a problem, but I didn't know how to read them. So I learned. When I finally understood what the data was telling me, I cried for two reasons: 1) The system had deceived me, saying he was "ok, just needs more pull-out time" even though the data supported my mom intuition, and 2) I wasn't crazy — and nobody knows your child better than you do.
I made every mistake you can imagine:
Trusting that the school would "figure it out"
Going to meetings unprepared and leaving confused
Not documenting conversations that mattered
Fighting battles I didn't need to fight
Missing opportunities because I didn't know they existed
The Breaking Point: When I Almost Gave Up
The worst moment came during an IEP meeting when a school administrator looked me in the eye and said, "Well, why don't you let the pediatrician give him medicine and by the time he gets home he will pee it out" — this was her response when I explained my son didn't need medication to function, he needed proper educational support.
I left that meeting feeling defeated, angry, and completely alone. I went home crying and googled "my child doesn't like to read." That's where my education began.
That night, I made a decision: I would never walk into another meeting unprepared again.
The Turn: From Overwhelmed to Equipped
I threw myself into learning everything I could about special education law, advocacy strategies, and my rights as a parent. I created systems to track everything. I practiced scripts until I could say them with confidence.
Most importantly, I learned that knowledge truly is power — and that my voice as my child's parent was the most important voice in the room.
The transformation was incredible:
Meetings became productive conversations instead of confrontations
My child got services I didn't even know were available
I stopped feeling guilty for asking for help
Other parents started coming to me for advice
The Mission: Turning My Pain Into Your Power
My son graduated from high school in June 2025 and is going off to a 4-year private university on scholarship. When I shared this news, people were happy for my son, but what struck me were the comments: "I remember how hard you worked for him," "I remember how much you struggled to get that child help," "I remember you always fighting for him,” “You went through a lot.”
I thought to myself: Yeah, I am exhausted, but it was worth it. And there are so many moms coming up behind me with the same struggles. How can I help them all if they don't know me?
I was afraid to put this program out there, but I put fear and ego aside and focused on the child. Your child is my why. My child is my testament.
There are many moms like me around the world who can benefit from my story. Each city, state, district, and province has their own rules. Please take my information and run with it — work within your system. The bottom line is: You are your child's advocate.
It's not easy, but if I had someone lay it out for me, my son could have gotten his intervention much sooner. He wouldn't have spent years feeling stupid. The system wouldn't have wasted 6 years of his childhood.
That's when I realized: No parent should have to start from scratch the way I did.
Every template I created, every script I wrote, every system I built — it all came from real battles, real wins, and real mistakes. Parent Advocate Academy isn't theory from someone who's never sat in those meetings. It's a roadmap built by a mom who fought for 6 years and finally won.
What I Stand For
Your Voice Matters Most
You know your child better than any professional ever will. My job isn't to replace your instincts — it's to give you the tools to make others listen to them.
Knowledge Is Power, Advocacy Is Love
Fighting for your child isn't being "difficult" — it's being a parent. But you need the right weapons for the battle.
No Parent Should Fight Alone
The system is overwhelming by design. But when parents support each other with real tools and strategies, we become unstoppable.
Every Child Deserves Their Shot
Whether your child dreams of college, vocational training, or independent living, they deserve every opportunity to reach their potential. It's not about fixing them — it's about fixing the barriers in their way.
Here's How We'll Get Your Child What They Need
Start With the Basics (Free)
Get the fundamental tools every parent needs: request scripts, communication logs, and a "Know Your Rights" guide that cuts through the confusion.
Document Everything (The Journal)
My flagship Parent Advocacy Journal helps you track 14 years of your child's journey from age 4 to graduation. Never lose important information or forget critical details again.
Learn the System (Training Course)
The PAA Roadmap takes you through 7 comprehensive modules — from understanding special education to preparing for your child's future. You'll know exactly what to do at every stage.
Get Local Help Fast (Quicklist Services)
Skip months of googling with curated lists of vetted providers in your area. From evaluators to therapists to specialists, get your child seen sooner.
Never Fight Alone (Community)
Join hundreds of parents who've walked this path. Share wins, get support, and know that you're never alone in this journey.
My Promise to You
I can't promise the system will change things overnight. I can't promise every battle will be easy.
But I can promise you this:
✅ You'll never walk into another meeting unprepared
✅ You'll know exactly what to say and when to say it
✅ You'll have documentation that makes them listen
✅ You'll understand your rights and how to use them
✅ You'll feel confident advocating for your child
Most importantly, you'll never feel alone in this fight again.
Ready to Stop Fighting Alone?
Your child can't wait for you to figure this out. But you don't have to figure it out alone.
Start with my FREE Parent Advocate Starter Pack — the same tools that helped me transform from an overwhelmed mom into a confident advocate.
Inside, you'll get:
IEP Request Script (gets meetings scheduled faster)
Evaluation Request Letter Template
Communication Tracking Log
"Know Your Rights" Quick Guide
These aren't theory. They're the exact tools I used to get my child the support he needed.
Join thousands of parents who've already started their advocacy journey. No spam, just tools that work.
Remember: You're not asking for special treatment. You're asking for what your child is legally entitled to receive. There's a difference, and it matters.
- G Francis, Founder Parent Advocate Academy