Empowering Education Professionals as Advocates

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Research, Advocacy, and Practice for Complex and Chronic Conditions: A Journal for Physical, Health, and Multiple Disabilities, 2023, 41 (2). © Division for Complex and Chronic Conditions-DPHMD
Carter and Rice, 2025
Published: Mar 7, 2025
DOI: https://doi.org/10.14434/rapcc.v43i1.38847
Keywords:
504, disability, accommodations, special education, individualized education program
Issue
Section
Implications and Strategies for Practitioners
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Alita-Geri
Salisbury University
https://orcid.org/0009-0006-7075-3608
Heather Rice
Cleveland State University
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9017-9873

Abstract

During the 2020-2021 school year, 8.4 million students with disabilities attended public schools. 6.8 million were serviced under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). At the same time, 1.6 million were solely served by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights, 2024). Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act prohibits disability discrimination among students. This article will discuss preplacement evaluations, anticipating barriers, addressing systemic barriers and collaboration, and collaboration for effective advocacy. Working with families, school-based teams, and healthcare practitioners is essential to ensuring that the rights of the child and family are upheld under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

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How to Cite
Carter, A.-G., & Rice, H. (2025). Empowering Education Professionals as Advocates. Research, Advocacy, and Practice for Complex and Chronic Conditions, 43(1). https://doi.org/10.14434/rapcc.v43i1.38847
Author Biography

Alita-Geri, Salisbury University

Alita-Geri Carter, MSN, RN, CPNP-PC, BCPA, specializes in patient advocacy and has a proven record for process improvement, legislative advocacy, and strategic planning. She is a public health servant, patient advocate, non-clinical pediatric nurse practitioner, children's book publisher, author, chief consultant, and Founder of Qualequity Access, LLC., and a nonprofit, On the M.O.V.E. Academy, Incorporated.

She possesses a wealth of knowledge with 14 years of diverse nursing experience, including seven years in pediatric care and a decade as a certified pediatric nurse practitioner, coupled with four years in public health. Her business acumen, program management experience, compliance proficiency, creativity, and analytical abilities support her leadership aspirations.

Currently pursuing a doctoral degree (Doctor of Nursing Practice-Leadership) at Salisbury University, she is enhancing her skills in data gathering, analysis, and evidence-based practice implementation. Her commitment to innovation and dedication to healthcare have earned her national awards. Her four years in public health provided valuable insights into public health program management, where she actively contributed to planning, development, coordination, and administration.

She has experience in health care leadership and systems development (responsible for building new hire orientation curricula within learning management systems and determining which functions within EMRs best serve quality outcomes and support the providers’ success). Ms. Carter has worked for HRSA since 2019, whereby she has managed more than 20 million dollars with federally funded recipients that support Federally Qualified Health Centers and healthcare in the United States within the Bureau of Primary Healthcare. She is one of the former program co-leads for the Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training for Professionals Program (over $60 million dollars and 168 grant recipients). In her time at HRSA, she gained experience with grants and cooperative agreements, earned multiple performance awards, was recognized for work done in workgroups, and received three Administrator’s awards. Before HRSA, she operated the first school-based health center in Howard County, Maryland, in 2013 and helped establish the health center.

She volunteers to raise awareness about healthcare professions with students across the globe through her work. She has reached over 1000 students across 15 states, two continents, and 46 classrooms. She is the treasurer and a board member for the 5th District of the Maryland Nurses Association. Before 2022, she served as a legislative committee member for the Maryland National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners chapter. Her legislative advocacy efforts also include serving on the City of Bowie Education Committee and the formal recognition of Apraxia Awareness Month by the City of Bowie. She advocates to increase the resources of underserved communities and promotes healthcare access and equity. A few accolades are the City of Bowie Mayor's Proclamation issued by Mayor Timothy Adams in March 2021 for Distinguished Service on the Education Committee, Outstanding Nurse Pathfinder by the Maryland Nurses Association (2022), the Trailblazer Award by Pathful(2022), Inc., National Minority Quality Forum's 40 Under 40 in Minority Health (2023), American Nurses Foundation Jeannine Rivet National Leadership Award (2023), and The Arc of Maryland's "Outstanding Advocate of the Year" (2024).

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References

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National Archives. (2024, April 29). Subpart D—Preschool, Elementary, and Secondary Education. National Archives Code of Federal Regulations. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/part-104/subpart-D

National Archives. (2024, April 29). 34 CFR 104.35 -- Evaluation and placement. National Archives Code of Federal Regulations. https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-34/section-104.35

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U.S. Department of Education Office of Civil Rights. (2024). Profle of Students with Disabilities in U.S. Public Schools During the 2020-21 School Year. https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/crdc-student-disabilities-snapshot.pdf

U.S. Department of Labor. (2023, July 26). Examining 50 years of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 – Section 504. Department of Labor Blog. https://blog.dol.gov/2023/07/26/examining-50-years-of-the-rehabilitation-act-of-1973-section-504#:~:text=Both%20the%20Rehabilitation%20Act%20and,of%20society%2C%20including%20the%20workplace.

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