New Platform Connects Texas Families to Special Education Advocates

AdvocateIQ launches Advocate Matching service to help parents find the right support for their child's IEP or 504 Plan needs.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 10:05pm

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A brightly colored, high-contrast silkscreen print of a single, iconic special education object such as a pencil or notebook repeated in a tight grid pattern, conceptually representing the platform's mission to make finding the right advocate more accessible.AdvocateIQ's new Advocate Match service aims to connect Texas families with the right special education advocates to support their child's unique needs.Dallas Today

AdvocateIQ, a special education advocacy platform, has launched its new Advocate Match service to connect parents of children with IEPs and 504 Plans in Texas with vetted special education advocates based on the child's specific needs, location, and advocate availability. The platform aims to address the challenge many families face in finding qualified advocates to support them through the special education process.

Why it matters

For the more than 600,000 Texas students receiving special education services, the gap between needing an advocate and actually finding one can mean the difference between an appropriate education and years of unmet needs. AdvocateIQ's Advocate Match service provides a centralized platform to help these families connect with the right advocate for their child's situation.

The details

Parents submit a match request through the AdvocateIQ dashboard, providing details about their child's grade level, disability, school district, and the type of support needed. AdvocateIQ then scores available advocates based on specialty match, geographic proximity, availability, and parent ratings, and presents the top three matches with full profiles, credentials, and transparent consultation fees. Parents can also choose to share previous IEP or 504 Plan analysis with the matched advocate to give them a head start.

  • AdvocateIQ launched the Advocate Match service on April 14, 2026.

The players

AdvocateIQ

A special education advocacy platform built by Ben and Melissa Griffiths and powered by DFW Advocacy, based in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. The company's mission is to ensure every family has access to an advocate.

Melissa Griffiths

The founder of DFW Advocacy and co-founder of AdvocateIQ.

Ben Griffiths

The co-founder and technical lead at AdvocateIQ.

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What they’re saying

“Parents tell us the same thing over and over: they knew their child needed help, but they couldn't find anyone. They searched online, asked in parent groups, left voicemails that were never returned. Advocate Match changes that. You describe your child's situation, and we connect you with advocates who specialize in exactly what you need.”

— Melissa Griffiths, Founder of DFW Advocacy and co-founder of AdvocateIQ

“We built this for advocates as much as for parents. Advocates shouldn't have to choose between doing the work they're passionate about and spending half their time on marketing. The platform brings families to them.”

— Ben Griffiths, Co-founder and technical lead at AdvocateIQ

What’s next

AdvocateIQ's Advocate Match service is now available for families in Texas. Advocates interested in joining the network can contact AdvocateIQ to learn more.

The takeaway

AdvocateIQ's Advocate Match service aims to bridge the gap between special education families in need of support and qualified advocates, providing a centralized platform to connect them based on the child's specific needs and the advocate's expertise and availability.