Youth Educational School Services (YESS) will serve any youth, from birth through 21 years of age, who is legally entitled to a public education. Priority is given to young people from low income families, including homeless families and youth living independently; at-risk youth experiencing educational problems, such as truancy, school suspensions, failing grades, low achievement or behavioral problems; youth with developmental or learning disabilities; and students with educational problems who are also involved with the juvenile justice system.

Educational Advocacy: While it is our hope that young people and their families become empowered through our information and mentor service, some families may require individual consultation and respresentation. Every advocacy problem is dealt with on an individual basis, with YESS providing advocacy to the extent needed by the individual and family. After speaking with the family, reviewing school records and evaluations, observing the child, and talking to the school, we may represent them at the Committee on Special Education (CSE) or at disciplinary hearings.

Training: YESS offers trainings and seminars to interested parties (consumers, parents, groups, service coordinators, etc.) at their convenience at various locations in Orange County. Topics that can be addressed include:

• Special Education Process
• Individual Education Plans (IEP)
• School Discipline
• Educational Rights and Advocacy Tactics

Mentor Service: Our educational advocate connects young people and their families with mentor advocates. Mentor advocates are people who have been successful in the system and have served as their own advocates, or who have participated in the trainings and are willing to share their strategies with others looking for the same or similar services. These mentors will help young people and their families to duplicate these successes in their school districts.

Information: YESS provides information on the educational system and the law to youth and their families so they can achieve the appropriate education and necessary services. Our educational advocate will inform young people and their families of the ways in which they can advocate for themselves and their families in dealings with the educational system. Our educational advocate provides youth and their families with the regulations and laws pertaining to their educational rights within the New York State and Federal Education Systems. The educational advocate can make referrals to other agencies and programs as needed.

Youth Educational School Services is a program of the Family Empowerment Council, Inc.