{"id":177282,"date":"2021-09-17T07:15:24","date_gmt":"2021-09-17T11:15:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/?p=177282"},"modified":"2021-09-17T08:31:33","modified_gmt":"2021-09-17T12:31:33","slug":"startup-offering-lifeline-to-families-trying-to-access-special-education-services","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/today.uconn.edu\/2021\/09\/startup-offering-lifeline-to-families-trying-to-access-special-education-services\/","title":{"rendered":"Startup Offering Lifeline to Families Trying to Access Special Education Services"},"content":{"rendered":"

As a former special education teacher, and a mother of two, Shaleighne \u201cShay\u2019\u2019 Cantner is well acquainted with the deluge of paperwork required to get supportive, special-education services for children.<\/p>\n

\u201cI recognized how difficult it was for parents to move forward and get their children the help that they need,\u2019\u2019 said Cantner, the CEO of a startup called Engagement Solutions and an alumna who earned her Sixth-Year Degree in Educational Leadership and Administration from the Neag School in 2013.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey often get caught up in red tape and are producing reems of documents, many that must be filled out by hand,\u2019\u2019 she said. \u201cI am on a mission to offer a better, faster, more efficient and more streamlined system.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

Special Education Impacts Substantial Population<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"A
Shaleighne \u201cShay\u2019\u2019 Cantner (contributed photo).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

During the 2019-2020 school year, 7.3 million American children\u2014approximately 14% of those ages 3-21 enrolled in public schools–received special education services. The two most common diagnoses are learning disability and speech\/language impairment.<\/p>\n

Engagement Solutions is a cloud-based, mobile-friendly and multilingual platform that captures and stores personal information required for most enhanced-service applications. Currently there is no secure, central database for that information, leading to an often frustrating and duplicative application process. The company also plans to offer a \u2018care concierge\u2019 to help guide families in seeking appropriate services.<\/p>\n

The platform would be especially useful for families with children who have complex special and medical needs, said Cantner. When up and running, Engagement Solutions will offer a tiered-subscription model.<\/p>\n

Startup Is Gaining Traction<\/strong><\/p>\n

Engagement Solutions has already raised more than $30,000 through business grants and pitch competitions. Most recently, Cantner and her team participated in the Summer Fellowship bootcamp, sponsored by the School\u2019s Connecticut Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation (CCEI). Engagement Solutions is one of five startups selected to compete in the School of Business\u2019 pinnacle entrepreneurship challenge, the Wolff New Venture Competition, in October. The event offers a $20,000 grand prize.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeing selected for the Wolff competition feels really good. To get the nod from a group of outside judges was extremely validating,\u2019\u2019 she said. \u201cSummer Fellowship helped us to improve our pitch, tell our story cohesively and attractively, and make it interesting and compelling.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

Cantner said the company benefitted from mentorship and new connections and took advantage of resources including accounting, legal and medical-record protection guidance.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll the work that we\u2019ve done to develop this plan and navigate wouldn\u2019t have happened without Connecticut resources, including CCEI, the School of Business and CTNext,\u2019\u2019 she said. \u201cSometimes you hear a lot of complaints about Connecticut. As a startup entrepreneur I haven\u2019t found them to be true. I see startups here that are thriving.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

Pilot Program Starting Now<\/strong><\/p>\n

Engagement Solutions is currently piloting its program with its first provider and a circle of families. Currently, most of their clients are located in Connecticut.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur pilot provider has been more than willing to participate, having seen the barriers for their organization and their families,\u2019\u2019 she said. \u201cFrom people who need services, the idea has been very well received.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

The startup\u2019s executive team brings experience in child development, educational leadership, healthcare operations and finance.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe goal is to remove the \u2018pain points\u2019 and allow families time to do the things they like,\u2019\u2019 said Jeff Kong, an investor who has joined the Engagement Solutions team. \u201cThe reaction has been tremendous. People are very happy that we\u2019re addressing this long-standing problem.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cAs an early childhood educator, one of the most compelling reasons that drew me to the field is the power of early intervention,\u2019\u2019 Cantner said. \u201cStudies show, and personal experience confirms, that when children\u00a0receive intervention for special needs early in their life, we can impact the positive trajectory of their educational experience.\u2019\u2019<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Engagement Solutions is one of five startups competing at the Wolff New Venture Competition on Monday, Oct. 25 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. The winner will receive $20,000 toward their new venture. To learn more about the competition or to register to watch the live presentation online, please visit:\u00a0<\/em>https:\/\/ccei.uconn.edu\/wolff-new-venture-competition\/<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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