Unstoppable: A Parent's Survival Guide for Special Education Services with an IEP or 504 Plan

Unstoppable: A Parent's Survival Guide for Special Education Services with an IEP or 504 Plan

Raja Marhaba’s journey in special education may be compared to David and Goliath as she fought the second largest school district in the nation to obtain badly needed services and placements for both her sons. The district took a middle-class mom to 9th Circuit Federal Court in an effort to intimidate and drain all financial resources so that she would give up. Yet, Raja Marhaba, stood tall exhausting all resources available to her and sacrificing her marriage, lifestyle and business in order to provide both her sons the Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE). This was their right according to the Individual Disability Education Act (IDEA), which the district hired high priced attorneys in an effort to prevent her sons from receiving services and proper educational placement. These services played a significant role in aiding both sons to access grade level curriculum and obtain success in the school environment. The book “Unstoppable” does not only tell Raja Marhaba’s story, but is a resource as a “living document” parents can continuously refer to when advocating for their own special needs children. Let this book change the conversation with our national broken special education system by empowering parents, and giving a voice to the children! Raja B. Marhaba Founder and CEO of The Jonathan Foundation for Children With Learning Disabilities Ms. Marhaba has established a nonprofit organization in 2001 (The Jonathan Foundation for Children With Learning Disabilities, Inc. – www.thejonathanfoundation.org) Raja was recognized in The San Fernando Valley Business Journal in 2002 for “Learning the Hard Way”. Raja Marhaba won a Scholarship to The Anderson School of Business at UCLA - Business Development Entrepreneur Program and graduated in February 2004. She was selected and successfully completed the first cohort of the federally-funded Special Education Advocate Training (SEAT) Program in 2006. After her completion of the SEAT Program, she was selected to be a member of the Education Panel & Committee for the Juvenile Division of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, which is comprised of special education attorneys and advocates, who are court-appointed to represent the educational needs of children involved in the foster care and probation systems. Raja Marhaba holds a certificate in Paralegal Studies with a Concentration in Litigation and Corporations from the University of California, Los Angeles, an American Bar Association Certificate Program (2009). In 2016 she received Enterprising Women of the Year Award, and her Construction Co. made the 2017 Inc. 5000 fastest growing company by industry and revenue list. She graduated from the Birthing of Giants Fellowship Program, June 2018 hosted by Inc. 500. In 2019, she was the recipient for the L’Oréal Paris Women of Worth Awards. Arianna Huffington asked her to write articles for her online newspaper, Thrive Global. She was honored on the 11th Multicultural International Motion Picture Association as a 2020 Lady in Red Diamond Rose Award recipient for her work with The Jonathan Foundation. In 2021, Raja was the recipient of The Diane Lipton Award for Outstanding Advocacy. She was recognized for her work in helping students and families who strive for guidance, supporting them in navigating the right path for their children. She was included in, The San Fernando Valley Business Journal's sixth annual Valley 200, a special standalone book featuring short profiles of the most influential leaders in the Valley area. Given her stature, and involvement in the valley from Martec Construction to The Jonathan Foundation, and her involvement with Val*Pac (San Fernando Valley Business Political Action Committee) she was honored amongst the elite in her community.