As school choice programs expand throughout the country, there’s often an information gap. Many parents—even in states with a long history of choice—have never heard of these programs This means their children may be missing out on an educational option that would help them thrive.

Parents in West Virginia won’t have this problem if Jamie Buckland has her way. A homeschooling mom of four, Jamie started West Virginia Families United for Education (FUE) in March to help families navigate their options in a changing environment.

While FUE is new, Jamie’s efforts helping families find their best educational options aren’t. “I’ve been working to help homeschool families for 15 years—including helping them navigate problems with their county school boards, successfully pushing for public sports access for homeschoolers, and starting Appalachian Classical Academy,” she explains. “Now I can use that experience and those connections to help other families.”

West Virginia lawmakers passed a charter school law and the Hope Scholarship education savings account (ESA) in the last few years, so parents are suddenly able to find new learning alternatives for their children. Her background in homeschool support and advocacy has left Jamie with the knowledge to help families figure out what will work best for their kids—and how to access it.

Sadly, much of Jamie’s recent work has focused on helping parents whose hopes were dashed when opponents successfully blocked the Hope Scholarship in court. Around 4,500 ESA applications were submitted before a county judge blocked the program. The West Virginia Supreme Court has agreed to hear the appeal; oral arguments are scheduled for October 4.

“I wish the people who are fighting to block the Hope Scholarship would talk to the families they’re harming,” says Jamie. “Maybe if the opponents could see how badly some children need these other options, they’d reconsider their actions. Education should be about what’s best for the kids, not what helps a specific system.”

The good news is that West Virginia FUE will be there for families … whichever way the Supreme Court rules. Parents are increasingly aware of the variety of educational options that exist, and FUE can help them evaluate their options and chart the best course for their children.