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.