Helping and Loving Others
About HALO.
HALO is an organization dedicated to helping families confidently navigate the special education process.
From understanding evaluations and legal rights to preparing for IEP meetings and advocating for appropriate services, HALO provides compassionate, informed support for parents who feel overwhelmed, unheard, or unsure of the next steps.
Founded in 2023 by Angela Thomas-Pope, HALO was created to empower families with clarity, guidance, and advocacy as they work to secure the support their children deserve. Through personalized assistance and expert navigation, HALO ensures that no parent has to walk the special education journey alone.
HALO’s mission is to support families through the challenges of special education by providing compassionate guidance, expert advocacy, and clear solutions that help children thrive in school and beyond.
Our services.
Special Education Navigation
Guiding families step-by-step through the special education process, required timelines, services, and school procedures.
IEP Meeting Support & Live Advocacy
Attending IEP meetings with parents—either virtually or in person—to advocate on their behalf, ask the right questions, and ensure their child’s needs are fully and accurately represented.
Evaluation & Assessment Guidance
Helping parents understand evaluations, results, recommendations, and what they mean for their child’s educational plan.
Understanding Your Rights
Providing clear explanations of parents’ legal rights under special education law so families feel confident advocating for appropriate services and accommodations.
Personalized Parent Coaching & Preparation
Offering one-on-one support before and after meetings to prepare questions, review documents, and create a clear plan for a child’s educational success.
Meet the Founder: Angela Thomas-Pope
Founder of HALO • Special Education Advocate
Angela Thomas-Pope has dedicated more than four decades to serving children and families through education, social services, and special education advocacy. Since beginning her career in 1981, she has worked across multiple school districts throughout North Carolina and Texas, bringing deep expertise and a compassionate approach to every family she supports.
Her experience also extends internationally through her work with the Department of Defense in Iwakuni, Japan, where she provided educational and therapeutic services to military-connected students. This global perspective strengthened her ability to support children with a wide range of learning needs and diverse family backgrounds.
Throughout her 44+ year career, Angela has served in both social services and speech therapy roles, consistently advocating for the well-being and success of students with varying learning profiles. Although she retired from full-time district work in 2024, she continues to serve children and families through her ongoing work as a speech therapist and educational advocate.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Audiology and Speech Pathology and a Master’s Degree in Education with a specialization in Special Education, providing a strong foundation for her lifelong commitment to supporting students with unique learning needs.
After witnessing countless families struggle to access the services their children need, Angela created HALO to ensure no parent has to navigate the special education process alone.
Compassion • Expertise • Advocacy • Integrity • Family-Centered Support
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Compassion • Expertise • Advocacy • Integrity • Family-Centered Support ·
Frequently asked questions
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An IEP (Individualized Education Program) is a legally binding plan that outlines the services and accommodations a child with a disability is entitled to in school. HALO helps parents understand whether their child may qualify and how to begin the evaluation process.
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Yes. HALO provides live advocacy support, meaning we attend your IEP meeting—virtually or in person—to help you ask important questions, understand school recommendations, and ensure your child’s needs are clearly represented.
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HALO walks you through the evaluation step-by-step, explains what each section means, and helps you understand how the results impact your child’s education and services.
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Absolutely. Parents have strong rights protected by federal law, including requesting evaluations, participating in all meetings, and agreeing or disagreeing with school recommendations. HALO educates you on your rights and helps you advocate confidently for your child.
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To begin, you’ll schedule a 30-minute consultation, which includes a small fee. If you decide to move forward, that consultation fee is applied toward your selected service. Simply send us an email (halollchouston@gmail.com) to request a consultation, and we’ll discuss your concerns, review your child’s needs, and determine which services are the best fit. This first step helps ensure that we are aligned and ready to support you effectively.
You don’t have to navigate special education alone.
Ready for HALO? Our process begins with a brief consultation to understand your needs and determine how we can best support your child and your family.