Business of Special Education Advocacy
The Business of Special Education Advocacy is a national, 100% online, five-session class for advocates starting a nonprofit or for-profit advocacy business. This highly anticipated course is designed for advocates ready to turn their knowledge and experience into a sustainable business or nonprofit. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to refine your existing model, this class provides practical guidance, real-world insights, and the tools you need to build with confidence. The focus is on the practical issues of business formation and operation; this class does not teach advocacy skills. All COPAA courses are developed using universal design principles, reflecting our strong commitment to equity and student success. If you would like to discuss ADA accommodations or have any general questions about our classes, please feel free to contact us. Contact Us
Audience: This class is designed for students who have completed SEAT 2.0 or experienced advocates who are ready to launch or refine a business or nonprofit.
Class Format: A self-paced course with a certificate of attendance at the end. You can join the live classes or watch the recordings. Live online attendance is encouraged but not required. You should attend the live online classes if you wish to ask the instructors questions directly. Class recordings are posted in the online classroom. You will be assigned a Training Instructor with whom you can communicate outside class times. There are recommended assignments and the opportunity to submit a business plan for feedback at the end of the course. The curriculum draws on the experience of advocates who started their own for-profit or nonprofit businesses and reviews the challenges, concerns, and solutions they developed. The class addresses issues generally, as the laws that impact business operations differ among localities and include unique business development and marketing strategies.
Topics Covered: Legal Structure, Business Plans, Billing Structure, Client Intake, Operations, Marketing, and Difficult Situations, which are all taught by experienced non-attorney special education advocates and nonprofit professionals.
Class Dates: July 8, 15, 22, 29 and August 5th from 1 - 3 pm ET on Wednesdays. Live online attendance is encouraged, but not required (all classes are recorded).
Registration: The registration for the Business of Special Education Advocacy is now open. Register
Cost: The cost of the class is $450 for COPAA members, and $600 for registered guests.
A registrant has seven (7) days from the date of the class registration to request an adjustment to the member rate. The registrant must be an active member at the time the request is submitted. After seven days, no adjustment requests will be accepted. If you have a guest account and are experiencing difficulties upgrading to a membership account, please email membership@copaa.org.
Cancelation policy: If you aren't accepted into the class, you will receive a full refund. The cancelation policy for each cohort is posted in the registration.
Scholarship Discount
A limited number of qualified individuals whose family income is at or below 2 x the federal poverty level may apply for a SEAT registration fee discount. The scholarship covers 80% of the course cost.
Requests will be considered on first come basis. To apply for consideration you must complete the online application for the Business of Special Education Class, noting in the comments box you are applying for a scholarship and select pay by check to complete without payment. Then send a letter of request with proof that you meet the poverty guidelines (i.e. the first two pages of your federal tax return) to learningcenter@copaa.org.
A COPAA Representative will contact you to confirm eligibility and availability. Click here for current Federal Guidelines
Registration Policy
Registration and attendance to COPAA educational events is NOT open to anyone who is not a member of COPAA OR does not meet eligibility. Any individual who currently receives more than 50% of his/her income from state, local, or, in the case of an attorney, who has represented such an agency or school district within the past five years, shall not be permitted to register or attend a COPAA educational event unless a formal exception is granted by the Executive Director of COPAA. Click here to apply for an exception.
