int(9) int(4) int(11) int(4) ESEA Video On Demand National ESEA Association
This video is available as a NAESPA membership benefit or for a limited time as a conference attendee.
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Empowering Equitable Services Programs Through Collaborative and Creative Engagement

Join Hawaii, Louisiana, Texas, and Virginia State Private Nonprofit Ombudsmen for an interactive and collaborative session on ways to empower, ignite, and enhance equitable services for Title I, Part A, and Title VIII programs in participating private schools. Presenters will share best practices and strategies that can enhance private school equitable services through various hot topics such as: pooling, carryover, braiding, blending, transferability, increasing effectiveness of consultation meetings and the impact of equitable services, program monitoring, SEA facilitated district-private school workgroups, site visits, and more.

This talk was presented at:
2025 National ESEA Conference
February 2025 in Austin, TX
For more information:
PNPombudsman@tea.texas.gov or Ombudsman@k12.hi.us
Speakers
Dr. Randall Johnson

Dr. Randall Johnson is the Title II, Part A, Coordinator and ESEA Ombudsman for Virginia (VDOE). Dr. Johnson is responsible for the administration of the Title II, Part A, program, where he provides guidance, compliance expertise, technical assistance, monitoring, and fiscal oversight to LEAs and private/nonpublic schools. Dr. Johnson leads Virginia’s Equitable Services Workgroup, aimed to enhance collaboration between private/nonpublic schools and school divisions. Over the past five years with VDOE, Dr. Johnson has been successful in developing strong working relationships and effective communication between LEAs and private/nonpublic schools. Dr. Johnson also serves as a VDOE representative for the Virginia Association of Federal Education Program Administrators (VAFEPA) and member of The National Association of Federal Education Programs (NAFEPA). At the school division level, Dr. Johnson has served as a grant manager, Title II coordinator, 21st CCLC specialist, staff development specialist, curriculum specialist, and an elementary classroom teacher. Dr. Johnson earned a BS in Early Childhood Education, a MS in Curriculum and Instruction, and Ed.D. in Transformational Leadership and Organizational Development. Dr. Johnson has been a member of the ESEA Ombudsman Collaborative National Workgroup since 2020.

Jacy Yamamoto

Jacy Yamamoto has worked at the Hawaii State Department of Education for over 20 years and has served as the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) Equitable Services Ombudsman since 2019. As the Interim Director for the Monitoring and Compliance Branch, Mr. Yamamoto ensures federal compliance with federal programs under the ESEA and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act. With a background in data and student information, Mr. Yamamoto is a former Civil Rights Data Collection coordinator and is the current Consolidated State Performance Report coordinator. Mr. Yamamoto holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, majoring in Information Technology Management and Marketing from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Mr. Yamamoto is a member of the ESEA SEA Ombudsman Collaborative National Workgroup and is also a member of the National Ombudsman Collaborative Steering Committee.

LaNetra Guess

LaNetra Guess is the state ombudsman of private nonprofit (PNP) school equitable services and program director for Title IV, Part A, at the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Ms. Guess has worked at TEA for over ten years and with equitable services since 2017. Ms. Guess has focused on providing statewide guidance and program support in federal grant programs for over two decades in both Kansas and Texas state education agencies. Ms. Guess earned her BA and MA from the University of Kansas. As the state’s PNP ombudsmen, she provides districts and private nonprofit school officials training, guidance, technical assistance, and support. Ms. Guess oversees the TEA Private School Equitable Services Workgroup comprised of districts, private schools, and education service center staff officials. The purpose of the Workgroup is to enhance communication and collaboration between the TEA, Texas PNP schools, and school districts on the requirements of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESEA). Ms. Guess has been a member of the National Ombudsman Collaborative Steering Committee since it originated in 2017 and a member of the ESEA Ombudsman Collaborative National Workgroup.

Daphne Flentroy

Daphne Flentroy is the State Ombudsman for Louisiana. Ms. Flentroy has over 25 years of experience in Federal Programs working with private schools and LEAs. She has been successful in building effective equitable services programs, while bridging the communication gap between LEAs and private schools. As the State Ombudsman, Ms. Flentroy created an Equitable Services Workgroup and statewide collaborative groups consisting of private schools, LEAs, and SEA federal programs staff to assist with developing protocols for open communication/collaboration, a checklist and flexible timeline to promote/foster workable and agreeable relationships between LEAs and private schools. As a part of the Federal Support Team for the Louisiana State Department of Education, Ms. Flentroy supports and provides federal guidance to both private schools and LEAs. In addition, she works with the State's Title IV, Part A, team and assists with approving LEA grant applications. Ms. Flentroy earned a BS Degree in Clothing and Textiles/Merchandising with minors in Marketing and Physical Education, as well as Elementary Certification/master's in education degree in Supervision and Administration from Southern University A&M College. Ms. Flentroy completed further study at the University of Minnesota and Louisiana State University. Ms. Flentroy is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and serves as an Associate of Jack and Jill of America, Inc. Participants describe Ms. Flentroy's presentations/sessions as informative, interactive, thought- provoking, and passionate. Ms. Flentroy is a member of the National Ombudsman Steering Committee and the ESEA SEA Ombudsman Collaborative National Workgroup.