The DC Special Education Hub helps families understand special education in the District of Columbia. Our knowledgeable team connects families with tools, information, and 1:1 support so families can make informed decisions to guide their child’s learning.
What We Do
- We meet families with questions about special education where they are – including through our multilingual text and phone hotline, at in-person and virtual events, or on our website.
- We work with families and schools to incorporate family voice and build connections.
The DC Special Education Hub is an initiative of the DC Ombudsman for Public Education, an independent, impartial office, that helps students and families with questions, concerns, and complaints about DC public and public charter schools.
Our Team
Hannah Blumenfeld-Love (she/her) is honored to serve the DC community as our Program Manager. Hannah, a North Carolina native, found her passion for justice in education at an early age and strives for a world where all students receive an accessible, empowering, and high-quality education. Before joining our team, Hannah was a Special Education teacher in Ward 7 and served as Assistant Ombudsman for Special Education with the DC Office of the Ombudsman for Public Education. During her time as an educator, Hannah completed the Fellowship in Special Education at KIPP DC and served on the committee to create and implement a diverse, equitable, and inclusive literacy curriculum for over 1,000 DC middle schoolers. Hannah received a BA with Distinction in Public Policy from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Go Tar Heels!) and an MEd in Education Policy and Leadership from American University. She currently resides in Ward 6 with her husband and two very eccentric cats.
Trianna Downing (she/her) is elated to serve as our Communications and Community Engagement Coordinator. Trianna has lived in the District for six years and is originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota. With a passion for community service and quality education, Trianna earned her BA in Business Administration with a concentration in Business Economics and Public Policy from George Washington University. Trianna has served as a College and Career intern for KIPP DC, an undergraduate mentor in the GW Business School, President of an education nonprofit within the GW Business School, and a Teaching Fellow and Program Associate at The Potomac School. Trianna currently resides in Ward 1 and enjoys making Spotify playlists, adding to her scrapbook, and spending time with her friends and family in the DMV.
Jasmine Lopez (she/her) supports DC families as our Program Support Specialist. Jasmine was first introduced to the world of special education while completing her undergraduate degree. Jasmine served as a dedicated aide in Prince George’s County Public Schools for students with autism and emotional disabilities. Through this experience, Jasmine witnessed the challenges families and students faced and decided she wanted to do what she could to help. Jasmine is committed to ensuring that all parents not only have the resources they need, but also the confidence to successfully advocate for their children. Jasmine earned her BA in Psychology from Trinity Washington University. Jasmine enjoys watching movies, making homemade cards, and spending time with her four cats.
Diana Sanchez (she/her) is grateful to serve the DC community as a Program Support Specialist. A proud product of public K-12 schools, Diana was a teacher for seven years in her home state of Florida. During this time, she taught elementary, middle, and high school, managed a small education business, and served on the board of two nonprofit organizations. These experiences caused Diana to become very passionate about increasing opportunities for diverse learners, teacher recruitment and retention, and building partnerships with families and the community. Diana earned a BS in Elementary Education and an MEd in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Tampa, later returning to earn an MSEd in Education Policy from the University of Pennsylvania. Diana currently resides in Ward 5 with her partner and their dog Biscuit.