JellyBean Vision
“Every child learns differently, and every family’s journey is unique. Our vision is to support children and families with advocacy, tutoring, and social emotional stories that help learning feel safer, more supportive, and possible again.”
Welcome to Johnson's JellyBeans!
Our advocacy work began with our own family.
For more than two decades, we have been navigating the world of special education as parents. Our son was enrolled in services early through the EFMP program, yet it was not until he was eight years old that he received an autism diagnosis. Like many families, we spent years trying to understand what our child needed and how to get the right support.
As a military family, we moved often. Each move meant new schools, new therapists, new systems, and new challenges. Along the way, we experienced situations that no child or family should have to face. These experiences showed us how easily children with neurodivergent needs are misunderstood and labeled, especially when their struggles are seen as behavior instead of communication.
Through work in Army Child Development Centers and public schools, we gained a deeper understanding of how children are viewed within systems. We also saw the pressure educators face and the lack of support many schools are given. These experiences shaped our belief that children deserve respect, patience, and care, and that families and educators both need better tools and support.
This journey led us to advocacy. We are proud to hold a Board Certified Advocate for Special Education certification. Our work focuses on helping families navigate school systems, understand their rights, and advocate for support that meets their child’s real needs.
Today, our mission is to stand beside children who are struggling and the families who love them. We work to support children not as problems to be fixed, but as individuals with unique minds and strengths. We also help parents find clarity and solutions for challenges at home and in school.
This work is personal. It is rooted in lived experience, education, and a deep belief that every child deserves to feel safe, understood, and supported.
Our Vision and Advocacy Story
At Johnson’s JellyBeans, our work is shaped by lived experience, professional training, and a deep commitment to doing what is right for children. For over twenty years, we have worked with children and families across educational and care settings, learning firsthand how systems can both support and fail the children they are meant to serve.
Our advocacy began within our own family. Our youngest child was enrolled in special needs services as a toddler, yet years passed before he received an autism diagnosis. During that time, his needs were often misunderstood, and his struggles were framed as behavior rather than communication. Navigating these challenges while advocating for appropriate support revealed how confusing, isolating, and overwhelming the education system can feel for families, even those with educational backgrounds.
As a military family, frequent moves added another layer of complexity. Each relocation meant new schools, new providers, and new systems to learn. Through these transitions, we experienced situations that shaped our understanding of how neurodivergent children are perceived and how easily they can fall through the cracks when systems lack flexibility and support.
Professional experience in Army Child Development Centers, childcare programs, and public schools further deepened this understanding. We witnessed the pressure educators face, the limited resources available, and the difficult decisions made within strained systems. These experiences reinforced our belief that children deserve dignity, patience, and respect, and that educators and families alike need practical tools and meaningful support to meet children’s needs.
These combined experiences led us to advocacy. Today, Johnson’s JellyBeans is guided by integrity, collaboration, and a commitment to student centered support. As a Board Certified Advocate for Special Education, we work to help families understand their rights, prepare for school meetings, and advocate for services that align with both the law and the child’s actual needs. Our approach is not about placing blame, but about working with schools whenever possible to create solutions that support students, teachers, and the broader learning community.
We believe that supporting one child well often improves outcomes for many. Thoughtful accommodations, early support, and responsive teaching practices can benefit entire classrooms. When families, educators, and advocates work together, children are more likely to feel safe, capable, and successful.
This work is deeply personal and deeply intentional. It is rooted in experience, education, and a belief that children are not problems to be fixed, but individuals with unique minds and potential. Our vision is to support children and families through advocacy, education, and collaboration so that no child is left without understanding, support, or a path forward.
