We came to WholeheartED Consulting after a year of frustration and difficulty with our child's special education services. Carrie and Brooke gave us comfort and reassurance that we were taking the right steps to help our child. We felt prepared and empowered heading into the IEP meeting. We knew what we needed to push for and against.  As things continue to evolve, we know we'll be able to reference the notes and support we received.

Abbey, Saint Louis Park

I learned about Wholehearted Advocacy Consultants through a women’s cooperative in Saint Paul. I was initially just grateful to see this kind of support offered in our community, and relieved to know the resource existed if I ever needed help navigating the system.

When my neurodivergent son began first grade, I believed things were going relatively smoothly. That changed abruptly at his first parent–teacher conference, when I learned he was completing only about 20% of his work and struggling significantly with peer relationships. As a parent, it was devastating and incredibly frustrating to learn this after an entire quarter of the school year had passed. His IEP was disorganized and ineffective, and I felt completely out of my depth trying to understand what needed to change.

At the same time, our family was dealing with an emergent eating disorder at home, occupational therapy appointments, neuropsychological testing, new medications, and the emotional needs of an older sibling who was feeling left out. Combined with the broader uncertainty and stress of the world around us, I wasn’t just struggling—I was drowning.

My son appears neurotypical and is able to function in the classroom without disrupting his peers, which made advocating for him even harder. Internally, he was suffering, and at home he was falling apart. When he began crying and begging me not to make him go to school, I knew I could not do this alone.

As he approached his IEP reevaluation, I learned that the few services he was receiving could potentially be reduced or discontinued. I was terrified of what that would mean for his future and for our family. I needed help, and I needed it quickly.

From the very first consultation, Carrie and Brooke made me feel heard, validated, and supported. Their lived experience parenting neurodivergent children, combined with their deep knowledge of the education system, brought immediate relief. They listened with care and empathy, helped me understand my options, and created a clear and concrete path forward—not only at school, but for how we could better cope at home as well.

They reviewed our documents, shared trusted clinic recommendations based on personal experience, and drafted communications to my son’s educational team so I didn’t have to carry that emotional and cognitive load myself. When Wholehearted Advocacy became involved, the shift in communication with the school was immediate. I felt taken seriously, respected, and empowered as a parent.

More than anything, working with Carrie and Brooke gave me peace of mind. Knowing I wasn’t alone in this complicated, emotional process was invaluable. Their care was not just professional—it was deeply nurturing. They helped transform a time of fear and overwhelm into one of clarity, confidence, and hope.

I cannot recommend Wholehearted Advocacy Consultants highly enough.

Anya, Saint Paul

I was exhausted, burnt out, and plain defeated. I felt like the school wasn't listening to me or my child. I didn't want to be "that parent", but I didn't know what else to do. Then I found Brooke.

She was patient, kind, empathetic, and made me feel supported and sane! She explained things in a way that was easy to understand and took the time to answer my millions of questions. Brooke prepared me so when I met with the school again, I felt ready to advocate for my child in a new and better way.

This service is invaluable!

Diana, Eagan

I was terrified when my 4-year old was put on an IEP. I was already scared because he wasn't developing normally. Then suddenly, all kinds of acronyms were being thrown around, and there seemed to be tension between schools and parents, like the school would try to give my kid less than he needed, and I would have to fight for it. But, I didn't know what he needed. All I knew was that he couldn't talk, couldn't hold a crayon, and couldn't play with other kids. I thought this would be easy for me to navigate, since I am a family doctor with loads of education and a good understanding of childhood development. But, when it came to dealing with my own kid in the school system, I felt like a deer in headlights.

Fortunately, Carrie partnered with me and attended his first IEP meeting with me. She acted as a bridge, a translator, an advocate, and most of all, as moral support at a time when I felt overwhelmed and clueless. She continued to help as we transferred schools and eventually transitioned to a 504 plan (more acronyms!). I am so grateful to have Carrie by my side to navigate these unfamiliar systems.

Jessie, Saint Paul

When we started having Carrie work with us to figure out what was going on and what needed to happen, so much of the stress and anxiety disappeared. Knowing that things aren't how they should, could, or need to be for your kiddo at school is incredibly difficult. Figuring out what to do about the things that aren't right for them is equally hard. Even as a parent with some experience with IEPs, support needs and the like.

Because Carrie knew the questions to ask, the things to request, and who to talk to, there  was no more trying to guess what we needed to know, who we needed to ask, or what we wanted to have happen to improve the situation for our kiddo. Additionally, the second that the school knew we had called in an outside professional they stood up and took notice. Things that we had requested and/or been fighting for started to happen. Carrie also knew of things that we could request for our kiddo that would never have been offered, but that made all of the difference.

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Having Carrie involved brought us an incredible peace of mind - we knew we hadn’t missed anything and were well and truly in a situation where all the issues were being addressed.

Heather, Saint Paul