About Me
Welcome to Special Education Advocacy of Savannah!
I was born, raised, and primarily educated in upstate New York. My undergraduate experience at Nazareth College in Rochester, NY, introduced me to Social Work. After receiving a bachelor’s degree in social work, I went on to the University of Pennsylvania and obtained a master’s degree, also in social work. My experience and practice as a social worker has always centered on families. As a school social worker in Rochester, NY, I was the liaison between an educational program serving students with disabilities and the families of those students. In the Raleigh/Durham area of North Carolina, I worked directly with the parents/guardians of youth in the juvenile justice system.
By 2016, my experience navigating the education system as the parent to a child with autism had me fully committed to the efficacy of special education advocacy. Since then, I have worked as a special education advocate at the Matthew Reardon Center alongside an attorney specializing in disability-related law.
Read more about my education, experience, and training below!
Erin Roma, LMSW
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*Bachelor's Degree in Social Work-Nazareth College-Rochester, NY (1999-2003)
*Master's Degree in Social Work-University of Pennsylvania-Philadelphia, PA (2003-2004)
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*Mary Cariola Center-School Social Worker Rochester, NY
*Haven House Services-Multi-Systemic Therapist Raleigh, NC
*OPC Area Programs-Juvenile Justice Liaison Chapel Hill, NC
*Matthew Reardon Center for Autism-Advocate Savannah, GA
*Sullivan Law and Advocacy-Special Education Advocate Savannah, GA
Conferences/Presentations
*Savannah Autism Conference (2023)
Erin Roma and Nicole Koplik
How to be Your Child’s Best Advocate
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*Wrightslaw Special Education Law and Advocacy Training-Fall 2017
*COPAA-Annual Conference (New Orleans, 2019)
*COPAA-Special Education Advocacy Training (SEAT 2.0)-2019-2020
*COPAA-Annual Conference (Baltimore, 2020)
*COPAA-Annual Conference (Boston, 2022)
Ethics and Principles
When you hire me, you get someone with a unique set of training and skills who adheres to ethical standards of practice. As an advocate trained through the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA), I follow their Voluntary Code of Ethics. There is no licensing or accreditation board that oversees advocates; therefore, COPAA’s Voluntary Code of Ethics is where we turn to ensure standards are met. As a licensed social worker, I adhere to the Social Work Code of Ethics and Guiding Principles.