THE JOURNEY FROM ONE PARENT TO ANOTHER

I am a trained advocate with over 15 years of experience in both public and private schools as well as being a parent of children with health impairments. I have 8 years of experience working as a contractor for government funded Special Education Advocacy nonprofit organizations most recently in Virginia. I am a graduate of Vanderbilt University Volunteer Advocacy Project. As a professional I am considered an expert in the areas of Juvenile Justice, Post-Secondary Transition, and Civil Rights advocacy for students with disabilities. I have trained over 2,000 families and professionals through workshops, webinars, conferences, and one on one in multiple states such as Tennessee, Virginia, Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, Delaware, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky since 2011. My goal is to provide a variety of supports to families in navigating the special education maze.

Ordained Minister

I was first licensed to preach the gospel in 2002 in the Church of God in Christ. In 2011 I was ordained in the Southern Baptist denomination. Since 2000 I have served in numerous ministry and community organizing capacities. Some of those include serving as a youth pastor, school/community based mentor, hospital chaplain, para-church ministry youth basketball coach, prison ministry volunteer, Community Development Corporation Executive Director, Memphis Police Department Clergy Academy Graduate, Special Needs Ministry, Disability Nonprofit boards and advisory councils.

I was appointed by the Governor in Tennessee to serve on the State Rehabilitation Council where I served for several years. I was appointed by both the Mayor of Shelby County and the Mayor of Memphis to serve on the Aging Commission Advisory Council where I served a number of years.

I previously served one three year term on the Loudoun County Disability Services Advisory Board. I also currently serve as a member of the Virginia Educational Law Task-force.

I am the founding executive director of two nonprofit organizations. Fresh Start Life Inc. www.freshstartlife.org and Mid-South Hemophilia & Bleeding Disorders Foundation www.midsouthhemophilia.org

Ministry Consultation:

*A Christian Approach to Special Education and Child Advocacy

*Training in relation to special needs ministry

*Training in reference to relational youth ministry

*Starting a nonprofit organization

*Speaking Engagements

Education

Union University-Bachelor of Science Degree in Organizational Leadership with a minor in Church Leadership

NOVA Southeastern University Shepard Broad College of Law Master of Science Degree in Educational Law

Vanderbilt University Volunteer Advocacy Project Graduate

(additional certificates held specializing in Juvenile Justice)

The Olford School of Ministry, Certificate of Expository Preaching

Memphis Theological Seminary-Certificate of Corporate Worship

Derek Flake

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ALL STUDENTS CAN LEARN

Do you avoid phone calls from your child’s school and dread attending school meetings? Does there seem to be a multitude of unnecessary steps to climb when seeking appropriate services? Do you know your rights? Do you believe that your child with special needs is receiving a FREE & APPROPRIATE PUBLIC EDUCATION? Partnering with an experienced Special Education Advocate might be the best decision you can make.

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