2025-2026
EDUCATIONAL SERIES, meetings & events:
The College Application Process for Students with IEPs, GIEPs, and 504 Plans
Wednesday, April 22 2026, at 7:00 p.m.
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84576773492
Wednesday, April 22 2026, at 7:00 p.m.
Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84576773492
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On Wednesday, April 22, at 7:00 PM, the Lower Merion School District Committee for Special Education (CSE) will host an Educational Series Presentation on the College Application Process for Students with IEPs and 504 Plans. Thrive Advocacy Group’s partners, Melanie Young and Brittney Yanchek, will present on the shift from high school services to postsecondary planning for students with IEPs, GIEPs, and 504 Plans. They will explain how supports change after graduation, what colleges are legally required to provide (and what they are not), and how families can navigate the application and transition process with clarity and confidence.
Featured Speakers:
Melanie Young is an Educational Consultant and Advocate and Co-founder of Thrive Advocacy Group, bringing a diverse background in both education and special education advocacy. Her experience includes serving as a public-school teacher at the elementary and middle school levels, an early intervention service coordinator, a Wilson Reading instructor, and an educational consultant and advocate within a special education law firm. She also serves as a board member and Interim President of the International Dyslexia Association of Pennsylvania, where she continues to support families and promote evidence-based literacy and strong student advocacy.
Brittney Yanchek is a Transition Consultant and Advocate and Co-founder of Thrive Advocacy Group, specializing in post-secondary planning for students with disabilities. She partners with families to develop individualized, strengths-based transition plans that align IEP goals with meaningful adult outcomes, including employment, post-secondary education, independent living, and community participation. Drawing on her background in case management, waiver services, financial planning, and adult service systems, Brittney helps families navigate SSI/SSDI, funding strategies, and long-term supports to ensure students leave high school with a clear, coordinated, and actionable plan for life beyond graduation.
Open admission for Lower Merion School District parents, guardians, and staff.
Featured Speakers:
Melanie Young is an Educational Consultant and Advocate and Co-founder of Thrive Advocacy Group, bringing a diverse background in both education and special education advocacy. Her experience includes serving as a public-school teacher at the elementary and middle school levels, an early intervention service coordinator, a Wilson Reading instructor, and an educational consultant and advocate within a special education law firm. She also serves as a board member and Interim President of the International Dyslexia Association of Pennsylvania, where she continues to support families and promote evidence-based literacy and strong student advocacy.
Brittney Yanchek is a Transition Consultant and Advocate and Co-founder of Thrive Advocacy Group, specializing in post-secondary planning for students with disabilities. She partners with families to develop individualized, strengths-based transition plans that align IEP goals with meaningful adult outcomes, including employment, post-secondary education, independent living, and community participation. Drawing on her background in case management, waiver services, financial planning, and adult service systems, Brittney helps families navigate SSI/SSDI, funding strategies, and long-term supports to ensure students leave high school with a clear, coordinated, and actionable plan for life beyond graduation.
Open admission for Lower Merion School District parents, guardians, and staff.
Inclusive Post-High School Resource Fair
Saturday, March 28, 2026 from 1pm-4pm
The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center
Saturday, March 28, 2026 from 1pm-4pm
The Greater Philadelphia Expo Center
The Arc Alliance has teamed up with Rep Joe Webster to host an Inclusive Post-High School Resource Fair on Saturday, March 28th from 1 pm to 4 pm at the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center in Oaks. This is a free event for teenagers and young adults who have Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) and 504 Plans to assist them with their secondary education.