When news broke that the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS) was being impacted by federal shutdowns and layoffs, many of us who serve students with disabilities felt our hearts sink. For therapeutic schools like iCan Dream Center, this office isn’t just a bureaucratic body — it’s a lifeline.

Why This Office Matters

The Office of Special Education exists to ensure that children and young adults with disabilities receive the education and support they are entitled to under law. It protects the civil rights of students who often cannot advocate for themselves. It guides how states implement the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the federal law that guarantees a free and appropriate public education to every student, regardless of ability.

For therapeutic schools like iCan Dream Center, which serve young people with learning, emotional, and developmental differences, this guidance isn’t abstract policy — it’s the framework that allows us to do our work with fidelity, compassion, and accountability.

When the Office of Special Education falters, families lose their voice, educators lose critical support, and students risk losing access to services that help them thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

What This Means for Therapeutic Schools

At iCan Dream Center, our mission has always been about seeing beyond the diagnosis — helping students discover who they are and what they’re capable of becoming. But the truth is, much of our success depends on a system that values and upholds the dignity of every learner.

Without the backing of federal oversight and resources, therapeutic schools must work even harder to fill the gaps — coordinating services, maintaining compliance, training staff, and sustaining programs that meet diverse and complex needs. It’s a heavy lift, especially for small, community-based schools.

Where We Find Hope 

Even in uncertain times, there is reason for hope. The spirit of special education — the belief that every child deserves opportunity — doesn’t disappear because an office closes its doors. It lives in teachers who refuse to give up on students. It lives in parents who advocate fiercely for their children. It lives in communities like ours, where inclusion isn’t an initiative — it’s a way of life.

We are continuing to raise our voices, educate policymakers, and build partnerships that strengthen the safety net for young people with disabilities. We are not powerless; we are purposeful.

A Call to Action

Now more than ever, we must remind our leaders that special education is not optional — it is essential. Whether through voting, advocacy, or simply sharing stories of student success, each of us can play a role in keeping the promise of IDEA alive.

We believe in the unstoppable potential of our students. Systems may waver, but the dream persists. And so do we.