Monica Santiago is a woman who embodies determination, faith, and compassion. A proud Boricua, New Yorker by birth, and Texan by heart, she has spent her life not only achieving personal milestones but also paving the way for others to rise alongside her. As Founder and CEO of 3 in 1 Advocacy, Santiago is on a mission to transform the way families navigate the often complicated and overwhelming public education system in Texas—especially those advocating for children with specialized needs.
At her core, Santiago is a go-getter. “When I set my mind to something, I look for nothing less than success,” she says. Guided by her faith and driven by a passion to serve, she built 3 in 1 Advocacy to help families confidently and knowledgeably engage with the various decision-making teams that impact their children’s educational experiences. From ARD and 504 committees to disciplinary hearings and language proficiency assessments, the agency equips families with the tools and advocacy skills they need to actively participate as the true experts in their child’s life.
After more than 20 years working in K-12 public schools in roles ranging from special education teacher and campus administrator to district director and adjunct professor, Santiago saw firsthand how fractured and inequitable the education system could be. Even with her expertise, she faced challenges when advocating for her own child with specialized needs.
“I realized that if it was this difficult for me—with all my training, experience, and access—what was it like for families with a fraction of that information?” Santiago recalls. That eye-opening realization fueled her decision to leave traditional school systems behind and answer a greater calling: to walk alongside families as an advocate, educator, and guide.
In 2024, 3 in 1 Advocacy officially opened its doors, offering education advocacy and coaching services tailored to meet the diverse needs of Texas families, particularly those navigating special education services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). But Santiago’s vision quickly expanded beyond special education alone. She saw that all families—whether their child had a disability or not—often struggled to navigate the maze of school policies, procedures, and bureaucratic red tape.
3 in 1 Advocacy’s mission is twofold: to empower families with knowledge, empathy, and actionable strategies, and to help rebuild trusting, collaborative relationships between schools and families. “After advocacy services are complete, the family still needs to be able to work with their child’s school. We aim to leave them in a better place—relationally and emotionally—than when they came to us,” she explains.
To read the full story, click on the cover of the April 2025 issue.
