Membership FAQ
Who can join?
We welcome new members – parents, advocates, attorneys, educators, academics, and other stakeholders (except those currently employed by the DOE).
If you’re interested in joining, reach out to Maggie Moroff, our Coordinator, at mmoroff@advocatesforchildren.org.
What does it mean to join?
Joining the coalition means that you agree with our mission statement and our agenda for change and you’d like to work with other members of the coalition to push for systemic changes to special education in NYC public schools.
What is required of members?
We offer many different ways to participate in the coalition with the knowledge that each of us has come to the work for different reasons and has different levels of time and energy to give. Some members participate by attending meetings. Others join in online conversations through our distribution list. Some work with a specific committee on an issue of particular importance to them. All individual members or organizational members must agree to be listed on our website on our About Us page. We don’t currently and never have asked for any dues from our members, as Advocates for Children has provided the staff support and basic expenses for the coalition.
What if I know someone else interested in joining?
Please put them in touch with Maggie at mmoroff@advocatesforchildren.org.
How does the supporter list differ from the member list?
On our website we invite anyone interested in receiving periodic notices about policy advocacy and information important to parents and advocates alike to sign up as Supporters. Supporters may attend public events like speak-outs, but meetings and the internal distribution list are open only to individual members and staff from our organizational members.
Where can I find a list of other members?
There’s a current list of our members on our website’s About Us page.
We welcome new members – parents, advocates, attorneys, educators, academics, and other stakeholders (except those currently employed by the DOE).
If you’re interested in joining, reach out to Maggie Moroff, our Coordinator, at mmoroff@advocatesforchildren.org.
What does it mean to join?
Joining the coalition means that you agree with our mission statement and our agenda for change and you’d like to work with other members of the coalition to push for systemic changes to special education in NYC public schools.
What is required of members?
We offer many different ways to participate in the coalition with the knowledge that each of us has come to the work for different reasons and has different levels of time and energy to give. Some members participate by attending meetings. Others join in online conversations through our distribution list. Some work with a specific committee on an issue of particular importance to them. All individual members or organizational members must agree to be listed on our website on our About Us page. We don’t currently and never have asked for any dues from our members, as Advocates for Children has provided the staff support and basic expenses for the coalition.
What if I know someone else interested in joining?
Please put them in touch with Maggie at mmoroff@advocatesforchildren.org.
How does the supporter list differ from the member list?
On our website we invite anyone interested in receiving periodic notices about policy advocacy and information important to parents and advocates alike to sign up as Supporters. Supporters may attend public events like speak-outs, but meetings and the internal distribution list are open only to individual members and staff from our organizational members.
Where can I find a list of other members?
There’s a current list of our members on our website’s About Us page.
Our distribution list
How exactly does the distribution list work?
When individual members join, they’re automatically added to the distribution list. When organizations join or their staff change, it’s up to the primary contact at the organization to let Maggie know all staff/members who should be added to the distribution list. There is no limit to how many staff/members organizational members of ARISE can put on this list.
Can anyone on the distribution list use it to write to others from the coalition?
Yes! In fact, we hope that members will use the list for internal discussions. When members have questions to ask of other members or information to share with the full group, they can write to arise@advocatesforchildren.org and their message will be sent to all on the list. Similarly, responding to the list will go to all members.
When individual members join, they’re automatically added to the distribution list. When organizations join or their staff change, it’s up to the primary contact at the organization to let Maggie know all staff/members who should be added to the distribution list. There is no limit to how many staff/members organizational members of ARISE can put on this list.
Can anyone on the distribution list use it to write to others from the coalition?
Yes! In fact, we hope that members will use the list for internal discussions. When members have questions to ask of other members or information to share with the full group, they can write to arise@advocatesforchildren.org and their message will be sent to all on the list. Similarly, responding to the list will go to all members.
Meetings/members only
How often do we meet with other members of the coalition?
For the most part the full coalition meets monthly. If there’s a lot going on, we’ll sometimes arrange for an additional meeting. If it’s a particularly quiet time, we’ll sometimes skip a meeting. Members on the distribution list will always receive notice of the meeting and the proposed agenda for the meeting ahead of time with information about how to participate.
Do I have to attend all meetings?
No. We recognize that members have different obligations and the timing of some meetings can be difficult based on those obligations. In the past, there was always the option to call-in for meetings that were held in-person. These days our meetings are held on Zoom and will likely remain there for the time being. Following monthly meetings, notes are always sent to all on the distribution list so those who weren’t able to participate can know what was discussed.
What time/days do we meet?
We currently hold our monthly meetings on the third Thursday of the month from 3 to 5 pm. About once a year, we reevaluate that plan to determine if there’s a time that would work for a greater number of our members.
What format do we use for meetings?
Previously, as noted above, meetings were held in-person with the option to call-in. We are currently holding our meetings on Zoom and plan to continue to do so, perhaps with an in-person option as well when people start returning to their offices.
For the most part the full coalition meets monthly. If there’s a lot going on, we’ll sometimes arrange for an additional meeting. If it’s a particularly quiet time, we’ll sometimes skip a meeting. Members on the distribution list will always receive notice of the meeting and the proposed agenda for the meeting ahead of time with information about how to participate.
Do I have to attend all meetings?
No. We recognize that members have different obligations and the timing of some meetings can be difficult based on those obligations. In the past, there was always the option to call-in for meetings that were held in-person. These days our meetings are held on Zoom and will likely remain there for the time being. Following monthly meetings, notes are always sent to all on the distribution list so those who weren’t able to participate can know what was discussed.
What time/days do we meet?
We currently hold our monthly meetings on the third Thursday of the month from 3 to 5 pm. About once a year, we reevaluate that plan to determine if there’s a time that would work for a greater number of our members.
What format do we use for meetings?
Previously, as noted above, meetings were held in-person with the option to call-in. We are currently holding our meetings on Zoom and plan to continue to do so, perhaps with an in-person option as well when people start returning to their offices.
Meetings/with the DOE or other policymakers
How often and with whom do we meet when we meet with the DOE?
We generally try to hold full coalition meetings with staff from the DOE’s Office of Special Education about four times a year. At various times, we have invited staff from the Chancellor’s Office, the Chief Academic Office, the Office of Space Planning, the Office of Student Enrollment, and the Office of Early Childhood to our meetings depending on the agenda.
How do we plan for meetings with the DOE?
Agendas for meetings with the DOE are sometimes set as a check-in, but more frequently based on letters and communications we’ve had with the DOE on specific topics. ARISE members typically plan for the DOE meeting at a full coalition meeting ahead of time where we identify the topics for discussion and which members will present our concerns or introduce the topics. Notes from those planning meetings are then shared with all members on the distribution list so those who weren’t able to attend have an opportunity to provide input. Once the agenda is set and the plans made, all members are asked to stick to them in order to make sure that we can get through the topics.
Is interpretation to languages other than English presently available for ARISE meetings?
Not currently, as we do not have a budget for that, but if members want to offer their help in providing interpretation services, please speak with Maggie. We have provided interpretation for speak outs, where we invite members of the public to share their stories, thoughts, and concerns.
We generally try to hold full coalition meetings with staff from the DOE’s Office of Special Education about four times a year. At various times, we have invited staff from the Chancellor’s Office, the Chief Academic Office, the Office of Space Planning, the Office of Student Enrollment, and the Office of Early Childhood to our meetings depending on the agenda.
How do we plan for meetings with the DOE?
Agendas for meetings with the DOE are sometimes set as a check-in, but more frequently based on letters and communications we’ve had with the DOE on specific topics. ARISE members typically plan for the DOE meeting at a full coalition meeting ahead of time where we identify the topics for discussion and which members will present our concerns or introduce the topics. Notes from those planning meetings are then shared with all members on the distribution list so those who weren’t able to attend have an opportunity to provide input. Once the agenda is set and the plans made, all members are asked to stick to them in order to make sure that we can get through the topics.
Is interpretation to languages other than English presently available for ARISE meetings?
Not currently, as we do not have a budget for that, but if members want to offer their help in providing interpretation services, please speak with Maggie. We have provided interpretation for speak outs, where we invite members of the public to share their stories, thoughts, and concerns.
Coalition committees
How do committees work?
Any members of the full coalition can join any and as many committees as they’d like at any time. No member is required to join a committee. If you’re interested, however, just let Maggie know you’re interested, and she’ll get you added to the group.
What are the current ARISE committees?
We currently have committees focused on school accessibility, literacy, transition planning, and students with disabilities entering kindergarten. We have a few working groups as well to focus on immediate concerns. There is currently a group meeting around ensuring anti-bias and anti-racism practices among coalition membership.
When are committee meetings held?
The committee members will meet separately from the full coalition to set agendas specific to the topic and to determine the best course of action in pursuit of that agenda. Meeting dates and times for committees are set based on the schedules of their individual members in an effort to find a time that all, or at least most, committee members can participate.
What if I have an idea for a new committee?
Please feel free to propose any new committees at full coalition meetings or in emails to the full distribution list. We’re very open to starting new committees and work groups; the topic needs to relate to our mission/agenda and there needs to be enough interest from other members.
Do committees sometimes meet separately with the DOE?
They do in order to discuss more targeted issues in a smaller setting. At those meetings, all members of the committee will be invited, but attendance will be limited to committee members specifically.
Any members of the full coalition can join any and as many committees as they’d like at any time. No member is required to join a committee. If you’re interested, however, just let Maggie know you’re interested, and she’ll get you added to the group.
What are the current ARISE committees?
We currently have committees focused on school accessibility, literacy, transition planning, and students with disabilities entering kindergarten. We have a few working groups as well to focus on immediate concerns. There is currently a group meeting around ensuring anti-bias and anti-racism practices among coalition membership.
When are committee meetings held?
The committee members will meet separately from the full coalition to set agendas specific to the topic and to determine the best course of action in pursuit of that agenda. Meeting dates and times for committees are set based on the schedules of their individual members in an effort to find a time that all, or at least most, committee members can participate.
What if I have an idea for a new committee?
Please feel free to propose any new committees at full coalition meetings or in emails to the full distribution list. We’re very open to starting new committees and work groups; the topic needs to relate to our mission/agenda and there needs to be enough interest from other members.
Do committees sometimes meet separately with the DOE?
They do in order to discuss more targeted issues in a smaller setting. At those meetings, all members of the committee will be invited, but attendance will be limited to committee members specifically.
Raising issues for discussion with other coalition members and reaching consensus
What if I have an issue I want to raise with other members?
Please feel free to do so either at a monthly meeting or in an email to the distribution list.
How do we work to achieve consensus?
For all public positions we take – at hearings, in letters or written papers/briefings, and with the press – we must first agree on where we stand on the issue. With enough time to discuss, we will do so at one or more meetings, with the opportunity for input open to all members even if they have been unable to attend the meetings. If time is limited, we’ll have the discussion by emails to the distribution list. In the past, on occasions when we couldn’t come to consensus, we have opted for other approaches such as sign-on letters from individual and organizational members – allowing those in agreement to sign and the others to opt out.
Please feel free to do so either at a monthly meeting or in an email to the distribution list.
How do we work to achieve consensus?
For all public positions we take – at hearings, in letters or written papers/briefings, and with the press – we must first agree on where we stand on the issue. With enough time to discuss, we will do so at one or more meetings, with the opportunity for input open to all members even if they have been unable to attend the meetings. If time is limited, we’ll have the discussion by emails to the distribution list. In the past, on occasions when we couldn’t come to consensus, we have opted for other approaches such as sign-on letters from individual and organizational members – allowing those in agreement to sign and the others to opt out.
Funding and staffing the coalition
How is the coalition funded?
When we first started in 2008, we had funding for a few years from the New York Community Trust, but that ran out years ago. Since then, Advocates for Children of New York (AFC), the organization that coordinates the ARISE work, has continued to apply for smaller grants to support targeted work around, for example, school accessibility and raising literacy rates for students in NYC public schools, but in general, AFC has paid coalition expenses, including the cost of staff to coordinate the coalition, out of money it has raised for general operating support.
How is the coalition staffed?
AFC remains committed to ARISE and Maggie Moroff, who works as AFC’s Senior Special Education Policy Coordinator, also serves as the Coordinator of ARISE. Other AFC staff also provide support to the coalition.
When we first started in 2008, we had funding for a few years from the New York Community Trust, but that ran out years ago. Since then, Advocates for Children of New York (AFC), the organization that coordinates the ARISE work, has continued to apply for smaller grants to support targeted work around, for example, school accessibility and raising literacy rates for students in NYC public schools, but in general, AFC has paid coalition expenses, including the cost of staff to coordinate the coalition, out of money it has raised for general operating support.
How is the coalition staffed?
AFC remains committed to ARISE and Maggie Moroff, who works as AFC’s Senior Special Education Policy Coordinator, also serves as the Coordinator of ARISE. Other AFC staff also provide support to the coalition.
Website resources
What is our mission statement and agenda? Where can I find it?
The mission statement and agenda were first drafted by members in 2008 and have been redrafted a few times by members to recognize changes to the NYC special education structure and growing concerns as times have changed. The most recent redraft was done in 2018, and can be found on our website.
What should I do if I see something on the website that I have a question or concern about?
Reach out to Maggie at mmoroff@advocatesforchildren.org to discuss.
The mission statement and agenda were first drafted by members in 2008 and have been redrafted a few times by members to recognize changes to the NYC special education structure and growing concerns as times have changed. The most recent redraft was done in 2018, and can be found on our website.
What should I do if I see something on the website that I have a question or concern about?
Reach out to Maggie at mmoroff@advocatesforchildren.org to discuss.
