Advocacy & Consulting for Education

In September 2007 my son entered Kindergarten in PA. Throughout the year he struggled in many ways. We became very frustrated and knew there was something wrong but could not determine what that was. A friend of ours recommended that we speak to her advocate, Melissa Bilash. I can honestly tell you that we would be lost if it was not for her expertise in this field. She guided us in every way. She knew what was missing on the IEP for to get for our son, what questions we should be asking and more importantly the appropriate school he needed to be in. She worked collaboratively with our district explaining our concerns and we started to be heard. After trying to work on an IEP we as a team realized his needs could not be met at the local public school. We were told by our school district that we would never receive money from the School District I am happy to say that out son attends the Crossroads School in Paoli, PA and we have not one, but two years of full tuition being supported by the district. If it was not for Melissa, he would be another child lost in the public school system and struggling in so many ways. He is more confident, happy, and love school and is thriving so well it is amazing to see. I would highly recommend Melissa!
-Parent of an 8 yr old in Chester County

Mrs. Bilash took the time to get to know me both in person and on paper. Her advocacy, along with the steadfast support of my wonderful mother, enabled me to be subject-accelerated into a course that is both appropriately challenging and enjoyable. I am benefitting from top notch teachers who have welcomed me into their classroom and are helping me grow. In spite of the rigor of the course, I have earned an A- because I am engaged in the material and intellectually stimulated. In the past, I have underperformed in some classes because I was not appropriately challenged or engaged. This is not the case in this course.
- Gifted Student

Without Melissa Bilash's dedication and support I do not know where my child would be. Melissa's knowledge and confidence was the answer to our long battle with the school district. Not only did her assistance allow us to get the funding we needed for appropriate programing, it also enabled our son to meet his full potential. She worked quickly and efficiently, keeping us informed every step of the way while working with us to keep our bill down.
- Single mom of school aged child in Delaware County

"Melissa really helped get measurable goals and objectives reflecting the present levels in my child's GIEP."
-Dad of Gifted 11th grader in a Delaware County School

"Thanks Melissa, I appreciate your insistence that the District address my child as an individual with gifts and needs."
-Mom of gifted 9th grader in a Delaware County School