Helping every child change their stars
StarChanger Kids was built on a simple belief: every child — regardless of learning differences, diagnosis, or circumstance — deserves access to expert educators, evidence-based tools, and a community that believes in their potential.
Our story
StarChanger Kids grew out of a frustration shared by parents, teachers, and specialists across Florida: the best educational resources were locked behind expensive private practices, long waitlists, and geography. Families navigating IEPs, autism spectrum diagnoses, learning disabilities, and behavioral challenges were left to piece together support on their own.
We set out to change that. By connecting vetted specialists directly with families and educators through an asynchronous marketplace, we make it possible for a parent in a rural county to access the same quality of support as a family in a major metro — on their schedule, at a price that works.
Today, StarChanger Kids is an approved vendor for Florida's Step Up for Students Scholarship program, meaning families using ESA and scholarship funds can apply those dollars directly toward lessons, assessments, and specialist consultations on our platform.
Our mission
"To democratize access to specialized educational support — so every child has the tools, the experts, and the community to reach their full potential."
Evidence-based practice
Every resource and specialist on our platform is grounded in peer-reviewed research and proven instructional methods.
Equity of access
We believe ZIP code and income should never determine the quality of a child's education. Our pricing and scholarship partnerships reflect that.
Specialist-led community
Our marketplace is built by and for credentialed educators, behavior analysts, psychologists, and speech-language pathologists.
Family-first privacy
We are committed to FERPA and COPPA compliance. Student data is never sold, shared, or used for advertising.
Meet the team
StarChanger Kids is powered by a multidisciplinary team of educators, clinicians, and technologists who have worked directly with children and families.
Dr. Maria Santos
Founder & CEO
Ed.D., Special Education
Former classroom teacher and district special education coordinator with 18 years of experience supporting students with IEPs, autism spectrum disorder, and learning disabilities. Maria founded StarChanger Kids after watching too many families fall through the cracks of an underfunded system.
James Okafor
Head of Specialist Relations
M.S., Applied Behavior Analysis, BCBA
Board Certified Behavior Analyst with a decade of clinical experience in school and home settings. James leads our specialist vetting process and ensures every provider on the platform meets our evidence-based standards.
Priya Nair
Director of Curriculum
M.Ed., Curriculum & Instruction
Curriculum designer and instructional coach who has developed K–12 materials for districts across the Southeast. Priya oversees the quality and alignment of all teaching assets in the StarChanger Kids marketplace.
Credentials & partnerships
Approved vendor for Florida's ESA and scholarship programs
Authorized reseller and integration partner for STAR Assessment tools
Student data privacy standards met and independently reviewed
Resources aligned to Florida B.E.S.T. Standards and IEP goal frameworks
Ready to change your child's stars?
Join thousands of families and educators already using StarChanger Kids to find the right support.