The Special Parent Advocacy Group was founded in 2011. Special Parent Advocacy Group is a 501c3 organization founded by a mother who experienced struggles as she attempted to navigate the treacherous waters of Special Education issues within the Trenton Public School System. As she sought after services for her Autistic son, she began to notice a pattern of families in challenging situations similar to the one she was facing. They were not receiving the services which they were entitled and/or services were not provided in a timely manner as prescribed in their Individualized Education Plan (IEP) if they were prescribed at all.  

Finding services for families of children with special needs; holding the school districts accountable; and ensuring the rights of parents of children with Special Needs became the immediate mission of the Special Parent Advocacy Group. 

Our Historical Timeline

2009-2011 - Became a volunteer parent advocate in Trenton, NJ to ensure quality services to inner city special needs children. Nicole and Marisol started the SEPAG in Trenton Public Schools

2011- SPAG Was founded on Nov 4th, 2011 by Maurice & Nicole Whitfield with the support of founding board members: Marisol Ovalles & Wanda Carter

2012- 2013 SPAG provided free advocacy services to the Trenton Public Schools without funding and compensation. Founder, Nicole Whitfield was the only advocate that volunteered at this time.

2013- SPAG became a federal 501c3 organization and began an in-home daycare caring for special needs children out of the founding family’s home on 220 Franklin Street in Trenton, NJ.

2014- SPAG applied to become a respite provider so they could open their first special needs After-school program and a weekend program in Trenton, NJ. Later that year, Samantha Lamb joined SPAG as a volunteer grant writer and programming consultant.

2015- In January, SPAG opened its first special needs afterschool program at Monument Elementary School servicing ages 3-13 under the leadership and direction of Samantha Lamb. In March, SPAG opened an adolescences afterschool program at Trenton High West serving ages 14-21. These programs were the first of their kind to operate in an inner city throughout the State of NJ.

Late 2015- SPAG opened SNCRC (Special Needs Community Resource Center) at PJ Hill Elementary. SPAG expanded its programs to provide Weekend, After-school, In-home, and self-hired respite services for children with disabilities throughout Mercer county. During this time SPAGs Leaders (Nicole Whitfield, Maurice Whitfield, Wanda Carter, and Samantha Lamb worked 7-day work weeks with little compensation. SPAG had about 10 total employees in 2015.

2016- SPAG was ousted by The Trenton School District due to its advocacy for trenton students with disabilties. Later that year opened its corporate headquarters in Ewing NJ with over 3500 square feet of space. SPAG also opened a location at Mercer County Special Services School District. In the summer of 2016 SPAG started its first special needs summer camp.

2017- SPAG opened another office in Elmwood Park NJ and later that year started After-school, weekend, and in-home respite programming in Passaic/Bergen counties.

A year later, Summer Camp was also added to the northern NJ region. In late 2017, SPAG became an DDD adult provider to ensure a continuum of services for our youth aging out at 21.

2018- SPAG purchased and open an overnight respite home in Pemberton, NJ. SPAG opened a 3000 square foot office in Elmwood Park NJ.

2019- SPAG expanded its adult programming to providing day programs and community inclusion.

2020- SPAG closed for 8 months during COVID where the organization experienced an 80% revenue loss. SPAG reopened its respite programs in late 2020 and began rebuilding.

2022 - SPAG began the process to become state contracted in the state of texas to begin servicing the fostercare community.

2023- In Texas SPAG acquired a 2200 square foot home and became state licensed as a general Residential Operation to serve 7 foster children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. SPAG also was approved as a supervised Visitation provider for Texas DFPS.

For more information about our programs and ways we can assist you, please contact us at (609)203-5995.