About Us

ABOUT FVA

FVA offers advocacy, systems navigation, and coaching services for parents and families.

We know that raising a child with or without special needs can be challenging, and we're here to help amplify your voice.

Meet Lani

Lani Verges-Radack is the proud single mother to two teenagers with complex special needs.  She is a transracial adoptive parent who has personal experience navigating state systems including DCF (Department of Children and Families), DMH (Department of Mental Health), MBHP (Massachusetts Behavioral Health Partnership) and Masshealth.  Professionally, she has worked as a teacher for 20 years, and earned a Master's degree in Reading from Wheelock College. Currently, she works as a kindergarten special education teacher in Norwood Public Schools. Lani holds Massachusetts state licenses in Moderate Special Needs, Reading, ESL, Early Childhood Education of Children With & Without Special Needs, Middle School, and Secondary English.  

"If anyone is looking to work with an advocate for their child, I highly recommend Lani. I was very fortunate to come in touch with Lani after I saw her comment on an Autism FB group discussing IEPs and advocates. I reached out to her via DM with some questions and concerns I had about my son's transition to a new school district and how they would use his existing IEP. Lani replied immediately and right from the start was so helpful, calming and encouraging. She continued to field my questions and concerns via email, reviewed my son's IEP, and was able to help me prepare for upcoming school meetings and IEP discussions. 

Her knowledge of the special education school system is deep, and she knew the best way for me to position my questions to the schools to help me look informed but not overbearing. Knowing that I could reach out to Lani with questions has eased my anxiety about my son's transition to a new district. That sense of comfort for a mom is priceless, and I will be forever grateful for her help!"

Parent of a 5 year old child diagnosed with autism and general anxiety disorder 
"Lani has been my port in a storm these past several months as we came to terms with the fact that our son wasn’t receiving an appropriate education and needed a change. And when things got worse and he ended up being hospitalized, Lani quickly switched gears and supported us through the mental health maze. She is present, smart, quick to respond and very effective at communicating with school administrators. I highly recommend her advocacy services.”

Parent of a 12 year old child with various socio-emotional special needs


"I have had almost twenty years experience in public education, and yet when I realized the complex needs of my son were not being fully understood or met by the district that my family lived in, I knew our best option was to seek the help of an educational advocate. Lani Verges-Radack came highly recommended by a friend of mine who works with-in the special education community. From the first moment my husband and I met Lani, we knew that she knew her stuff both legally and educationally, and would help us navigate the very complicated world of special education, IEP development, and individual student needs. Lani was with us every step of the way, helping us draft important responses to the district, guiding us through the finer points of our son’s IEP, and helping us to understand what was legally and educationally available to our son. And most importantly what he should rightly have access to. Lani asked the hard questions when they needed to be asked, and helped us emotionally when the process became overly stressful. I would use Lani again in the future and believe you would do right to hire her to help you navigate the educational needs of your child."


Parents of kindergarten student with complex special needs

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