irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $185KRIGHT START PROGRAM: WCYB IIK CONTRACT-THE RIGHT START PROGRAM PROVIDES LEGAL REPRESENTATION AS WELL AS ADVICE AND ADVOCACY FOR STUDENTS IN GRADES K-6 WHOSE READING PROFICIENCY IS TWO YEARS OR MORE BELOW GRADE LEVEL. ATTORNEYS AND ADVOCATES ASSISTED STUDENTS IN OBTAINING THE EDUCATIONAL SERVICES TO WHICH THEY WERE LEGALLY ENTITLED AND WOULD AID IN ADVANCING THEIR READING AND LITERACY DEVELOPMENT. ISSUES THAT IMPACT LEARNING INCLUDING BEHAVIORAL AND SCHOOL REFUSAL WERE ALSO ADDRESSED AS PART OF THE ADVOCACY WORK. ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 30 UNDUPLICATED STUDENTS RECEIVED LEGAL REPRESENTATION AS WELL AS ADVICE AND ADVOCACY; 93% OF MATTERS WERE FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION RELATED ISSUES; 97% OF STUDENTS RECEIVED DIRECT ASSISTANCE FROM OUR ATTORNEYS AND ADVOCATES; OF THE 18 MATTERS CLOSED DURING THIS YEAR, 95% OF STUDENTS RECEIVED THE APPROPRIATE SERVICES TO ADDRESS THEIR READING AND LITERACY SKILLS AND/OR THE PARENT OR GUARDIAN WAS EDUCATED TO EFFECTIVELY ADVOCATE FOR THEIR CHILD. READY FOR LIFE PROGRAM: WCYB OCFS CONTRACT-THE READY FOR LIFE PROGRAM PROVIDES LEGAL REPRESENTATION AS WELL AS ADVICE AND ADVOCACY FOR 29 UNDUPLICATED STUDENTS AGES 14 TO 21 WITH AN INDIVIDUAL EDUCATION PLAN (IEP)). OUR ATTORNEYS AND ADVOCATES ENSURED THAT STUDENTS WITH QUALIFYING DISABILITES HAD TRANSITION GOALS INCLUDED IN THEIR IEPS THAT WOULD PREPARE THEM FOR FURTHER EDUCATION, VOCATIONAL TRAINING, INTEGRATED EMPLOYMENT, INDEPENDENT LIVING AND COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION. ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 29 UNDUPLICATED STUDENTS RECEIVED LEGAL REPRESENTATION AS WELL AS ADVICE AND ADVOCACY; 90% OF MATTERS WERE FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION RELATED ISSUES; 97% OF STUDENTS RECEIVED DIRECT ASSISTANCE FROM OUR ATTORNEYS AND ADVOCATES; OF THE 21 MATTERS CLOSED DURING THIS PERIOD, 100% OF STUDENTS RECEIVED TRANSITION PLANS TO SUPPORT THEIR POST-SECONDARY GOALS AND/OR THEIR PARENT OR GUARDIAN WAS EDUCATED TO BE AN EFFECTIVE ADVOCATE FOR THEIR CHILD. ONE STUDENT IN THIS GROUP RECEIVED THE OVERCOMING THE ODDS AWARD, IN RECOGNITON OF HIS PERSEVERANCE AND COMMITMENT TO HIS EDUCATION.
- #2 $139KSOLUTIONS NOT SUSPENSIONS: WCYB OCFS CONTRACT-THE SOLUTIONS NOT SUSPENSION PROGRAM ADDRESSES THE NEEDS OF YOUTH WHO ARE FACING DISCIPLINARY ACTION WITH THE GOAL OF LIMITING OR ELIMINATING THE AMOUNT OF TIME THAT A STUDENT SPENDS OUT OF SCHOOL. RESEARCH DEMONSTRATES THE HARMFUL IMPACT OF BEING SUSPENDED FROM SCHOOL: "AFTER BEING SUSPENDED, A STUDENT IS 20% MORE LIKELY TO FAIL; 8% MORE LIKELY TO DROP OUT; AND 55% MORE LIKELY TO BECOME INVOLVED IN THE JUVENILE JUSTICE SYSTEM." STUDENT ADVOCACY SEEKS ALTERNATIVES TO SUSPENSIONS THAT INCLUDE RESTORATIVE JUSTICE PRACTICES. ACCOMPLISHMENTS: 63 UNDUPLICATED STUDENTS RECEIVED LEGAL REPRESENTATION AS WELL AS ADVICE AND ADVOCACY; 65% OF MATTERS WERE RELATED TO DISCIPLINARY, SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL AND BEHAVIORAL ISSUES AND 35% WERE RELATED TO ACADEMIC AND SPECIAL EDUCATION MATTERS; OF THE 40 MATTERS CLOSED DURING THIS PERIOD,93% RESULTED IN A REDUCTION IN THE AMOUNT OF TIME SPENT OUT OF SCHOOL AND THE ADDITION OF SERVICES TO ADDRESS THE STUDENTS' SOCIAL, EMOTIONAL, AND ACADEMIC NEEDS.
named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Overcoming the Odds (OTO) Award
Annual recognition and scholarship program for Westchester County youth who have overcome significant challenges to succeed in school
Ready for Life Program
Offers legal advocacy for students aged 14–21 with IEPs to ensure transition plans are in place for post-secondary education, employment, and independent living
Right Start Program
Provides legal representation and advocacy for K–6 students reading two or more years below grade level, focusing on securing special education services and literacy supports
Solutions Not Suspensions
Provides legal representation for students facing disciplinary action, advocating for restorative justice practices and reduced out-of-school suspensions
activities · 6 groups
What they do
-
Special Education Support Services 1 activity
- Education advocacy for students with disabilitiesProvides legally-based education advocacy services to students aged 3–21, including one-on-one assistance, record review, and representation at school meetings such as Committee on Special Education, Manifest Determination Reviews, and disciplinary proceedings. Services address special education evaluations, IEP development, transition planning, and access to specialized instruction and related services.
-
-
Recognition and Awards Programs 1 activity
- Overcoming the Odds youth recognition programHosts an annual Overcoming the Odds Awards Celebration honoring local youth who have overcome adversity. Operates a structured selection process involving volunteer screening and a Selection Committee to choose finalists and award recipients, who receive small scholarships for post-secondary education.
-
-
Teacher Professional Development 1 activity
- Parent and professional training in education rightsOffers trainings and professional development for parents and educators on special education laws, advocacy strategies, and student rights. Includes community workshops and participation in external programs to build capacity among stakeholders in the education system.
-
-
Education Policy Research and Analysis 1 activity
- Publication of education guidance resourcesDevelops and publishes practical guidebooks and policy papers to support families and inform systemic change, including “101 Answers: How to Get Help at School For Your Child with a Disability” and reports on chronic absenteeism and school discipline disparities in Westchester County.
-
-
Education Policy Advocacy & Reform 1 activity
- School disciplinary advocacy and reformAdvocates for students facing school discipline, working to reduce out-of-school suspensions and secure supportive interventions. Leads the Solutions Not Suspensions initiative, analyzing suspension data and promoting alternative disciplinary approaches, particularly for Black students and students with disabilities. Also participates in public discussions on the criminalization of students within school systems.
-
-
Community Resource Navigation and Support Services 1 activity
- Support for student academic and systemic barriersAddresses a range of educational challenges including school registration, residency disputes, transportation issues, attendance concerns, and academic support needs. Provides direct advocacy and technical assistance to families navigating these systemic barriers in public schools across Westchester and Putnam counties.
-
financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$1.35M
Contributions & grants$1.28M95%
Program service revenue$6K0%
Investment income$51K4%
Other revenue$10K
expenses
Total expenses$1.29M
Program expenses72%
Admin / overhead15%
Fundraising13%
Salaries & benefits$994K
Grants paid out$0
Largest expense lineCompensation
balance sheet
Total assets$1.75M
Cash$373K
Investments$1.02M
Liabilities$190K
Net assets$1.56M
Liquid reserves12.9 mo
4 years on record · 2020–2024 · YoY revenue +13.4%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
paid leadership · 2
| Name | Title | Hours/wk | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIANE ROSENTHAL | EXECUTIVE DI | 40 | $157K |
| STEPHANIE SHABMAN | LEGAL DIRECT | 40 | $123K |
board members · 20
- ALICE TENNEY — BOARD MEMBER
- ANDRE EARLY — BOARD MEMBER
- ARO EDWERS — BOARD MEMBER
- BARBARA KUTCHER — BOARD MEMBER
- BRENTIN BROWN -BULLOCK — BOARD MEMBER
- CAROLE CHAIMOWITZ — TREASURER
- CAROLINA KUPFERMAN — BOARD MEMBER
- CAROLYN KAY — VICE CHAIR
- DAN KURZNER — BOARD MEMBER
- ELANA ROTHSCHILD — SECRETARY
- GAIL AMSTERDAM — BOARD MEMBER
- GAIL DOBOSH — VICE CHAIR
- JEANNE KENNEDY — BOARD MEMBER
- KAREN BLUMENTHAL — CHAIR
- LUCY OPPENHEIM — BOARD MEMBER
- MELINDA MCFADDEN — BOARD MEMBER
- PATRICIA WHITE — BOARD MEMBER
- RAJEEV WUDALI — BOARD MEMBER
- TIM ADLER — BOARD MEMBER
- WILLIAM SCHECTER — BOARD MEMBER
relationships · 12
Who they work with
- Black Lives Matter Partner — Expresses solidarity with Black Lives Matter in protesting racial injustice affecting Black communities.
- Committee on Special Education Partner — Represents students and families at Committee on Special Education Meetings.
- Jamie Stone Partner — Development Associate who coordinates volunteer engagement and expertise donation initiatives.
- Jill Bernstein Partner — Board Chair who serves as a point of contact for board membership inquiries.
- New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) Government — Contracting agency for the Ready for Life and Solutions Not Suspensions programs.
- Westchester Bar Foundation Partner — Sponsor of the 2026 OTO Awards Celebration at the Friend of Families level ($2,500).
- Westchester Children’s Association Partner — Collaborated on a discussion about the criminalization of Black girls in schools.
- Westchester County Youth Bureau (WCYB) Government — Funding and contracting partner for the Right Start, Ready for Life, and Solutions Not Suspensions programs.
- Westchester Women’s Bar Association Partner — Collaborated on a program about immigrant student rights in the public school system.
- Westchester Women’s Bar Association Foundation Funder — Has provided financial support to Student Advocacy since 2011.
- Westchester-based grant-making organizations Funder — Provides funding support for Student Advocacy's programs and services.
- school districts Partner — Collaborates with school districts to obtain tailored resources and programs for students.
strategies · 4
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Individualized, Collaborative Problem-Solving Modelmethodology: collaborative_problem-solvingBy tailoring advocacy to each student’s unique challenges through fact gathering, record analysis, and collaboration with schools and families, the organization improves educational outcomes, because personalized strategies increase alignment between student needs and service delivery.
- Legally-Informed Advocacy for Educational Accessmethodology: legally_based_advocacyBy combining legal expertise with education advocacy, the organization secures legally entitled services for students facing academic and non-academic barriers, because statutory rights are often underenforced without expert intervention grounded in law and policy.
- Parent Empowerment Through Legal Educationmethodology: parent_empowerment_through_educationBy educating parents about special education processes and legal rights, the organization increases family capacity to advocate effectively, because informed caregivers are better positioned to engage schools and sustain support beyond individual cases.
- Racial and Disability Justice Through Systemic Advocacymethodology: racial_justice_in_educationBy targeting systemic inequities—such as disproportionate suspensions and denial of transition services—the organization improves outcomes for Black students and students with disabilities, because institutional barriers reproduce disparities that require structural intervention to dismantle.