Shanida understands from a person level about how having a child with a disability affects your life. As the mother of a child with special needs, She understands the unique challenges similarly situation families face today. For over fifteen years, Shanida has assisted families whose children have a wide range of disabilities and it has become her passion to serve as a resource in need. Shanida’s passion for assisting parents and extensive knowledge of the practical application of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act along with other laws applying to children makes her a fierce advocate for students. In her former role as a ten year parent advocate and trainer with the Families Helping Families of Jefferson and the Louisiana Parent Training & Information Center, she has trained thousands of parents, professionals and educators on virtually any topic that has to do with special education and civil rights law during her tenure. The training she has received over the years is second to none. Shanida continues to hone her skills and continual training. Because of her passion to excel, she is currently a full-time paralegal student at Tulane Universities School of Professional Advancement (SOPA). She has trained under some of the nations leading advocates such as, Pete Wright of wrightslaw.com, Jim Comstock-Galagan former attorney for the Southern Disability Law Center. Shanida is a 2009 graduate of Louisiana Partners in Policymaking; has a certificate in Special Education Advocacy from William and Mary School of Law and is a graduate of the Pride Leadership Academy of the Urban League of Louisiana. Shanida is a Court Appointed Special Advocate of CASA of Orleans and St. Bernard parishes as well as the Governor appointed chairperson as a parent for the Louisiana Statewide Inter-Agency Coordinating Council which works in collaboration with the Louisiana Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities.