By Dani Tietz
Katrina Roberts, founder of Family First Advocacy, has been selected as the recipient of the Community Builder Award from the Mahomet Masonic Lodge. The nomination for this prestigious honor came as a surprise to Roberts, who was not even aware she was being considered for the award.
The selection process for the Lodge Award involved an extensive screening procedure spanning several months. Roberts was chosen based on her exceptional dedication and commitment to helping families and children in need through Family First Advocacy, a non-profit focused on helping students with learning, social, emotional, behavioral, and mental health challenges find success in the public school system.
Her relentless efforts in supporting families facing challenges have not only made a significant impact on individual lives but have also contributed to building a stronger and more inclusive community.
“My role is to first have a phone conversation with the parent(s)/caregiver(s) to find out about their child and what is going on; what their struggles are,” Roberts said. “Then I tell them a little bit about my story and my kids in the hope I become more relatable and put them at ease with me.
“It can be hard for parent(s)/caregiver(s) to share vulnerable things and their child and how it is affecting them and their whole family. Then I tell them about what I do and what makes us different than other advocacy organizations.
Roberts then develops a game plan to help the student and family overcome the challenges they face in order to achieve their goals. Working hand-in-hand with families, Roberts ensures that she is involved at every step of the process.
“When they are struggling to voice their concerns I will be their voice in the meeting. After the meeting(s) I spend a lot of time mentoring the parent(s)/caregiver(s). Once I work with family and we achieve our goal I am always available to them!”
Family First Advocacy, which celebrated its second anniversary this year, has witnessed remarkable growth since its inception. In its inaugural year, the organization provided assistance to 12 families, a number that nearly doubled in the following year, as they extended their support to 26 families.
Additionally, the organization conducted three training sessions, equipping parents and caregivers with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate the complexities of advocating for their children.
“Students don’t struggle in a bubble, it affects a whole family so we want to do what we can to support the whole family,” she said. “Whether it is helping them get a car seat, giving them a ride, or share ideas and resources that might be helpful to their situation.”
Among the many success stories Roberts has witnessed, one stands out in particular.
She was recommended to a family whose child had been denied an Individualized Education Program (IEP) evaluation since second grade. After just two weeks of collaboration, the family succeeded in obtaining the much-needed evaluation, resulting in the student finally receiving the support they required. Even more inspiring, the student, who faced the additional challenge of navigating high school during the COVID-19 pandemic, became an advocate for themselves and recently graduated.
In another instance, Roberts encountered a situation where a student was being recommended for a therapeutic school due to alleged disciplinary reasons. However, upon closer examination, it became evident that the school had not followed the necessary steps outlined in the student’s IEP and had failed to provide the support they required.
Armed with the relevant documentation and a clear understanding of the process, Roberts successfully advocated for the student to remain in a general education setting. The student not only continued their education without disruption but also developed self-advocacy skills along the way.
One notable outcome of her dedicated efforts is the transformation of a parent into an advocate themselves. Through multiple meetings and persistent determination, Roberts assisted a student in obtaining the necessary support for academic success. This achievement inspired the student’s mother to support other parents and caregivers in similar situations, fulfilling the organization’s ultimate goal of empowering families to advocate for their children.
For families facing challenges related to their children’s disabilities, the feeling of exclusion and isolation within their communities can be overwhelming. Roberts understands this firsthand and has made it her mission to foster a sense of belonging and demonstrate the immense potential of families and their children to the world.
The Community Builder Award holds profound significance for Roberts, as it validates their tireless efforts and serves as a catalyst for further positive change.
“This award means more to me than I have words for!” she said. “The fact that people see the good in what I am doing is an amazing feeling. I want to be a Community Builder! I want to build a community where families and kids like mine feel they belong and to help other members of the community see that we, as families and our kids, have a lot to offer the world. This award inspires me to do more and be better!”
Looking ahead, Family First Advocacy has exciting plans on the horizon. They are organizing their first-ever fundraiser, aptly-titled “Party with a Purpose,” scheduled to take place on September 9th at Lake of the Woods.
The funds raised from this event will contribute to hiring an administrative assistant, allowing Roberts to focus on meeting the growing demand for advocacy, mentoring, and training services. Additionally, the organization aims to expand its team by recruiting another passionate advocate with expertise in supporting students with disabilities and their families.
As part of their commitment to empowering students with disabilities, Family First Advocacy plans to award one scholarship to a deserving student pursuing higher education and another award to assist a student with disabilities in their transition beyond high school, opening up new opportunities for their future.
To learn more about Family First Advocacy, visit familyfirstcommunity.org.
