Weinfeld group

[Anonymous]

We have started working with them in the summer, and I don't know if we just got a super busy staffer, but emails don't get returned within 2 days, even with simple questions. We are not a very prolific client (at least not yet), so maybe those with a ton of hours and lawsuits in the picture are attended to better, but I just want to get a sanity check - is this a par for the course when working with this shop? The kiddo is 4, with HF ASD in MCPS.

PS: If you switched to an advocate who is better and more attentive - please recommend yours.

[Anonymous]

I’m sorry, OP - we have used a Weinfeld advocate for five years and that hasn’t been our experience. I would let them know you aren’t happy.

[Anonymous]

That’s subpar. You can switch. Tbh, we worked with one of his associates as it was an expensive and unproductive experience. We switched to someone else

[Anonymous]

We had a similar experience.
I would reach out to Weinfeld (not associated director or anyone else on the "leadership team") and make him aware.

It feels like some of the team are doing this as a side gig and fit it in when they have time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have started working with them in the summer, and I don't know if we just got a super busy staffer, but emails don't get returned within 2 days, even with simple questions. We are not a very prolific client (at least not yet), so maybe those with a ton of hours and lawsuits in the picture are attended to better, but I just want to get a sanity check - is this a par for the course when working with this shop? The kiddo is 4, with HF ASD in MCPS.

PS: If you switched to an advocate who is better and more attentive - please recommend yours.

What school system are you in?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have started working with them in the summer, and I don't know if we just got a super busy staffer, but emails don't get returned within 2 days, even with simple questions. We are not a very prolific client (at least not yet), so maybe those with a ton of hours and lawsuits in the picture are attended to better, but I just want to get a sanity check - is this a par for the course when working with this shop? The kiddo is 4, with HF ASD in MCPS.

PS: If you switched to an advocate who is better and more attentive - please recommend yours.

OP, how urgent are your questions? And how long does it take to respond?

When you have an urgent question, do they get right back to you?

Taking 2 plus days to get back to you on non urgent requests doesn't seem like a huge problem. If it was an urgent thing, that's another matter.

Your advocate may be triaging to respond to urgent needs first.

[Anonymous]

We had a not great experience with them, which I talked about on page 6 of this thread.

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1003079.page

[Anonymous]

They honestly care about the money. I was unimpressed and switched and had better results.

[Anonymous]

I know people who had great experiences, but I personally had the same experience as you, OP. I think it depends on which advocate you're working with. Ours just fell off the face of the earth at times.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know people who had great experiences, but I personally had the same experience as you, OP. I think it depends on which advocate you're working with. Ours just fell off the face of the earth at times.

Ours did as well. I assumed something personal was up - but they needed to share that they were unavailable as opposed to commit and deliver a flawed document that I needed to edit because they clearly cut and paste content.

[Anonymous]

I was put off by them during an initial introductory call. I was admonished for sharing a few details about my child's situation and speaking approx 1 min longer than the 15 mins permitted by their policy. Shame on me for thinking the details should be important to them, and that the exchange of information was relevant to ensuring they would be a good match and my money would be well spent. My motto is "if you're too big for the small things, then you're too small for the big things." Special needs families have enough challenges to deal with. I don't need Weinfield's team to pile on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was put off by them during an initial introductory call. I was admonished for sharing a few details about my child's situation and speaking approx 1 min longer than the 15 mins permitted by their policy. Shame on me for thinking the details should be important to them, and that the exchange of information was relevant to ensuring they would be a good match and my money would be well spent. My motto is "if you're too big for the small things, then you're too small for the big things." Special needs families have enough challenges to deal with. I don't need Weinfield's team to pile on.

Are there other educational consultants anyone can recommend who you've had a positive experience?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was put off by them during an initial introductory call. I was admonished for sharing a few details about my child's situation and speaking approx 1 min longer than the 15 mins permitted by their policy. Shame on me for thinking the details should be important to them, and that the exchange of information was relevant to ensuring they would be a good match and my money would be well spent. My motto is "if you're too big for the small things, then you're too small for the big things." Special needs families have enough challenges to deal with. I don't need Weinfield's team to pile on.

Are there other educational consultants anyone can recommend who you've had a positive experience?

We liked Liz Capone. She was very responsive even coaching me that if the school attempted to pull me out of a kiss and ride line for an impromptu meeting, I should call her immediately.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was put off by them during an initial introductory call. I was admonished for sharing a few details about my child's situation and speaking approx 1 min longer than the 15 mins permitted by their policy. Shame on me for thinking the details should be important to them, and that the exchange of information was relevant to ensuring they would be a good match and my money would be well spent. My motto is "if you're too big for the small things, then you're too small for the big things." Special needs families have enough challenges to deal with. I don't need Weinfield's team to pile on.

Are there other educational consultants anyone can recommend who you've had a positive experience?

We liked Liz Capone. She was very responsive even coaching me that if the school attempted to pull me out of a kiss and ride line for an impromptu meeting, I should call her immediately.

That's helpful. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Rich Weinfeld was instrumental in helping us navigate the process at DCPS and securing the IEPs and 504's that both our sons needed. Highly recommended.