Hiring Jennifer was one of the best decisions we ever made! Our son was diagnosed with ADHD and even though he was on a 504 plan, he had been struggling in school for several years. Our school district did little to help him and even when he began to receive failing grades and fell way below grade level, we couldn’t get a response from his school team. When we started working with Jennifer, everything changed. She took over all communication with the school team, was able to get him evaluated, attended all school meetings with us, and was able to get him on an IEP. We have seen such a huge difference in our son’s performance at school and are incredibly grateful for her guidance and help.

Our daughter was diagnosed with autism a few months before she turned 3. It was a very overwhelming time for us and we had no idea how to start the process of getting her Early Intervention services and then getting her into school when she turned 3. Jen walked us through the process of getting her EI services and helped us work with the school to get her evaluated. She attended her team meetings with us and made sure she was able to get into the right preschool program with the services and supports she needed. We would’ve had no idea what to even ask for and what the district was obligated to provide for our daughter if we didn’t have her help. She took the stress out of this very overwhelming time so we could focus on getting our daughter what she needed.

The first time we connected with Jennifer, we knew she was the person we wanted in our corner. She is sincere and really took the time to get to know us and our son. Regardless of how busy she was, she always made us feel like we were her top priority. She’s really easy to work with and has a great way of communicating with other team members in a collaborative and positive way. From the second we met her, we could tell how passionate she is about what she does and how dedicated she is to her clients. She is so knowledgeable about special education law but not only that, she has such an extensive background as a BCBA and was able to help us manage some behavior challenges our son was having at home. She went through his IEP with a fine-tooth comb and was able to make sure the goals and objectives aligned with the results of his testing. She’s been the perfect match for us, and we will never go to another IEP meeting without her!

We can’t recommend Jen enough! After one call with her we knew she was the perfect advocate for us. Her support has been life changing. She helped us get our son out of a sub-separate classroom into an inclusion classroom with a 1:1 aide. For the first time since he entered elementary school, he has flourished. He would not be where he is today without her support. The only regret we have is not hiring her sooner.

I found Jennifer when my son had a lot of challenges upon returning to school after remote learning due to COVID. Her assistance and knowledge have been invaluable to me throughout the course of working together. We addressed many challenges from IEPs, placements and handling compliance issues. She is an absolute gem, and I could not have navigated my experience without her.

We were so lost when we scheduled our first meeting for our son with the school district. We are beyond grateful for Jen for being our Advocate and superhero. It allowed us to just be parents while she asked all the right questions, helped us navigate our way through uncharted territory, and most importantly, made sure that our son received everything he needed. Jen is passionate, knowledgeable, and amazing at what she does. NEVER would I go to a meeting without her in our corner.

We have been working with Jen for about two years while my son transitions from elementary to middle school and navigating his IEP. She has gotten my son so many more services than I ever could by myself. While I might get emotional during meetings (feeling unheard), Jen stays focused and makes sure I am heard, and my child's needs are met. She has fought for my child's educational needs even when the school system seems committed to letting him fall through the cracks. She listens to and understands all my concerns for my son's education and is driven to help me solve them. She helps me navigate and fully understand all the paperwork that comes with an IEP (especially when they try to sneak something in).

We knew for years that our child's services were lacking from the public school system but didn't know where to start. With Jen's knowledge and experience, we were able to identify, push for, and obtain the correct services and placement for our child to learn and thrive. She was a voice for our child and had their best interest at heart at all times!

Jen has been our calm in the storm. She is very well versed in behavioral analysis and supports within the special education umbrella, as well as appropriate services that will help our daughter become successful in the classroom given her disabilities. We know that Jen will help us understand what we should and can push for to ensure the most appropriate setting for our daughter. Jen brings a level head and the knowledge required to present rational, reasonable requests to the Special Education Department of our school system.

Jen has been amazing and just a real person which I very much value. She has handled every bump in the road with the district and tries to keep all conversations and interactions collaborative and cordial, but is assertive when it’s needed. I have asked her for her advice multiple times and she is always honest. She gives me all the pros and cons and is straight forward with me. I think her honesty is a blessing even if there are times I've had to take a step back to reflect on the information provided because it might not be what I want to hear at that moment. Ultimately, I know Jen is right.

Jen makes you feel like you are her only client and is also in constant communication, so I've never felt out of the loop of what is going on. I think the best thing about having Jen as my son's advocate is she always puts him first. She has his best interest in mind, and you can tell she really cares. During any meetings she ensures that the conversation stays focused on my son.

Without Jennifer we would be lost in a system completely arrayed against my son’s ability to obtain a free and accessible public education. Jennifer was the second advocate I worked with after the first one just shrugged her shoulders and gave up. I would not do anything without Jennifer by our side. She is accessible, calm, knowledgeable, empathetic, and forceful with the school district. I am so grateful to be able to work with her.

Jen has been right by my side advocating for my child every step of the way. She is professional, funny and caring. Working with her was the best decision I have made.

Working with Jennifer has been phenomenal. She's committed, compassionate, knowledgeable, highly organized, and treats each client as though she were advocating for her own child. Jennifer is highly respected in the field and established an extensive network of legal professionals with whom she can consult if necessary. Her positivity is bar none. She's a highly effective negotiator and able to work with a diverse clientele: always keeping the needs of the child paramount. Our situation is very complicated, and her ability to clarify and explain complex special ed laws has been invaluable. Words cannot describe our gratitude for having the opportunity to work with Jennifer: she's phenomenal!

Ms. Rutland is a fantastic Educational Advocate. Her knowledge, experience, expertise, professionalism, accessibility and empathy are unsurpassable. If you find your way to Ms. Rutland, consider yourself very fortunate.