Building an unconventional learning environment for his local community in South Florida, Joshua, an educational entrepreneur, faced a significant hurdle. Struggling against the complexities of legal and bureaucratic rules and regulations, Joshua was faced with circumstances that could potentially jeopardize the viability of his learning environment. Thankfully, by reaching out to the Edupreneur Support team at yes. every kid. foundation. (Yes Foundation), he was able to turn a distressing situation into a story of success and resilience.
With a background in public policy, Joshua was no stranger to the intricate web of regulations and requirements that often entangle entrepreneurs. His microschool encountered significant difficulties getting approved for direct payment as a provider under the state scholarship program because it was a full-time program. The families served by Joshua’s learning environment were eligible to participate in the Florida Tax Scholarship Program giving them access to funds they could use for tuition in education savings accounts.
However, because the learning environment was not an approved provider, families had to pay up front and wait for reimbursement which could occur months later, or worse: be denied. This put the families and the learning environment in a precarious financial position. Despite Joshua’s best efforts, including direct engagement with program staff, the issue seemed insurmountable.
Facing this hurdle, Joshua turned to Edupreneur Support for help. He talked with staff attorney Lynn Swanson to discuss this challenge. Joshua and Lynn agreed that according to the law, the learning environment should be eligible to be an approved provider.
The Edupreneur Support team partnered with other resources at Yes Foundation to swiftly elevate Joshua’s issues with state program staff. Within weeks, they achieved what Joshua had been trying to resolve for months. Not only did they remove an unnecessary roadblock for Joshua, and all similarly situated learning environments, but they also ensured that his microschool remained operational and accessible to the families it serves.
“Their support and efficiency have been truly remarkable and honestly saved our microschool,” Joshua gratefully acknowledged.
“In an environment where legal and bureaucratic Goliaths can be overwhelming, Yes Foundation Edupreneur Support is the sling to the ‘David microschools’ of the world.”
Serving Families is the Focus
The success of this intervention went beyond just keeping the doors of a microschool open. It meant that the children of the families who depended on this educational haven could continue to access the type of individualized education the families felt best met their needs. By resolving the eligibility issue, Yes Foundation ensured that neither the learning environment nor families incurred an unnecessary financial burden and families could access the benefits to which they are entitled.
Lynn Swanson, reflecting on the case, said, “Working with Joshua and his microschool was a reminder of why we do what we do. It’s about ensuring that educational opportunities are accessible and that dedicated educators can focus on what they do best – teaching and nurturing our children.”
Joshua expressed his deep gratitude, saying,
“Their work ensures that families and providers alike can focus on what truly matters — the education and well-being of our children and their families. I am deeply thankful for their intervention — I honestly don’t know if I would have as much sleep as I do now if it weren’t for them.”
If you or someone you know is starting or building an unconventional learning environment, contact Yes Foundation’s legal team to submit a request for free, personalized support today.
