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Office of the Special Education Advocate seeks three more staff to manage cases, data and policy work
Summary
The newly formed Office of the Special Education Advocate told the Finance - Division I committee it currently operates with two staff and sought three additional positions to handle case management, data tracking and policy initiatives—requesting roughly $740,000 annually for prioritized needs.
The Office of the Special Education Advocate told lawmakers that limited staffing prevents it from fully meeting statutory responsibilities for case management, data tracking and statewide policy work, and asked the Finance - Division I committee to consider adding three staff.
"Yes. Thank you. Good morning. Kristen Moncharmany, advocate for special education," Kristen Moncharmany said as she introduced the office. She described a small office that provides case management and works directly with parents, the Department of Education and local districts to try to resolve disputes before they move to formal hearings.
Tim Lenahan, assistant advocate, described referral sources and caseload pressures. He said the office receives referrals through Department of Education dispute‑resolution notices and from agencies such as the Office of the Child Advocate, and that his work travels statewide: "I'm in 6 counties right now," he said.
Moncharmany and Lenahan said the office currently has two staff: Moncharmany (full time) and Lenahan (full time but temporary classification), plus minimal part‑time help. They proposed expanding to a five‑person office: two additional case managers and one position to combine intake, data tracking and policy work. Moncharmany said those additions would allow the office to manage roughly 1% of statewide Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and to deliver more training and systemwide supports.
On costs, Moncharmany said the prioritized needs figure was roughly $740,000 annually for the additional three positions (personnel and associated costs). She told lawmakers the office had originally requested four additional positions and trimmed the request to three in recognition of tight budget conditions.
Committee members asked about the office’s scope, how it differs from the Parent Information Center and whether more training for local special education directors could reduce disputes. Moncharmany said the Parent Information Center provides sample forms and general information but does not attend IEP meetings or provide the case‑management and dispute resolution roles the advocate’s office provides. She also said better data is needed to understand the cost and scope of special‑education services across districts.
Members asked about travel and other operating costs; Moncharmany said the office tries to limit travel through virtual meetings where appropriate but must make in‑person visits for many difficult cases. The office also told the committee it produces an annual report and has been asked by the Department of Education to participate in data‑tracking and labor‑costing efforts.
Lawmakers did not decide the funding request during the hearing; the presentation documented the office's prioritized needs and the rationale for additional positions.
