Terms of Service, Payment Policies & Disclaimers

Clear Expectations. Transparent Pricing. Family-Centered Support.

Welcome to Beyond the Basics: Spectrum of Possibilities, founded by Taquana Stubbs, M.Ed., Ed.S. These policies explain the nature of our services, payment expectations, scheduling, privacy practices, and professional limitations. Our goal is to establish a respectful, transparent working relationship with every family.

Please read this information before requesting or beginning services. The separate written service agreement provided in the intake packet will outline the specific terms that apply to your engagement.

1. Services Provided

Beyond the Basics provides educational advocacy, educational consulting, parent consultations, educational record review, IEP and Section 504 meeting preparation and support, and tutoring or specialized academic support.

Services are limited to the work agreed upon in writing. Requests outside the original scope may require a separate written agreement and additional fees. No additional work will be undertaken without communicating the anticipated charges in advance.

2. Professional Role and Legal Disclaimer

Taquana Stubbs is an educational advocate and consultant, not an attorney providing legal representation through this business.

Services focus on helping families understand educational documents, organize concerns, prepare for school meetings, communicate priorities, and participate in educational planning.

No legal advice or legal representation is provided. Services do not include representing clients in court, due process hearings, mediation as legal counsel, or formal legal proceedings. This business does not replace a licensed attorney. Families who need legal advice or representation should consult a qualified attorney.

Nothing on this website is intended to waive, restrict, or misrepresent any rights that parents, guardians, or students may have under applicable law.

3. No Guarantee of Outcomes

Every child and educational situation is different. Although I strive to provide thoughtful, professional, and individualized support, I cannot guarantee eligibility decisions, specific IEP or 504 provisions, particular services or placements, school district decisions, dispute outcomes, or academic results.

School personnel and other authorized decision-makers retain their respective responsibilities. Parents and guardians remain actively involved in decisions concerning their children.

4. Service Agreement and Authorization

A signed service agreement is required before services begin. It will identify the agreed services, applicable rates, payment arrangements, authorization requirements, and other relevant conditions.

Clients are responsible for providing accurate information, identifying relevant deadlines, sharing records they choose to provide, and communicating changes that may affect the services requested.

Permission to review records or communicate with school personnel must be provided as appropriate and documented in the applicable authorization. A general service agreement does not automatically authorize access to all student records or communication with every school employee.

5. Service Rates

The published service rates are:

Hourly services have a one-hour minimum, with additional time billed in 30-minute increments. The separately priced 30-minute parent consultation is not subject to the one-hour minimum.

Reasonable emails, calls, and reading time related to the booked service are included as described in the service terms. Meeting services include reasonable preparation and follow-up.

The agreed rate and scope will be confirmed before services begin. Any change to rates or scope for an existing engagement will be communicated in writing before it takes effect.

6. Invoicing and Payment

Initial services: An invoice will be provided before the services listed on it are rendered. After the service agreement is signed, payment is expected according to the invoice and agreed payment terms.

Ongoing services: Invoices will be issued through PayPal each Friday for applicable services and charges. The invoice will identify the services billed, applicable rates, and any agreed expenses. Payment is due according to the due date stated on the invoice or otherwise agreed upon in writing.

Please include the invoice number in the PayPal payment note to help ensure accurate processing.

If you have a question about a charge, please contact me promptly so we can review it. Undisputed charges remain subject to the agreed payment terms.

No undisclosed late fees, cancellation charges, or additional fees will be imposed. Any such charge must be disclosed in advance, agreed upon in writing, and permitted by applicable law.

7. In-Person Meetings, Travel Time, and Mileage

In-person meeting attendance is billed at $125 per hour.

Travel time to and from the agreed meeting location is billable at the stated hourly rate when included in the written service estimate or agreement. Round-trip mileage may be charged separately at the agreed mileage rate.

The mileage rate will use the applicable IRS standard business mileage rate identified in the written agreement or estimate. As of October 2026, the IRS standard business mileage rate is $0.76 per mile for travel from July 1 through December 31, 2026. The IRS rate is a tax benchmark, not a rate that the IRS requires businesses to charge clients; the rate and billing method must be agreed upon with the client. See the IRS standard mileage rates.

Before an in-person appointment, the client will receive an estimate identifying:

Travel time and mileage will be itemized on the invoice. If the location or expected expenses change materially, the client will be notified before additional charges are incurred whenever reasonably possible.

8. Scheduling, Cancellations, and Rescheduling

Clients are requested to provide at least 48 hours' notice when canceling or rescheduling an appointment.

Please notify me as soon as possible if an emergency or unexpected circumstance prevents attendance. I will make reasonable efforts to accommodate rescheduling.

Any cancellation fee, missed-appointment charge, or nonrefundable booking fee must be stated in the signed service agreement before the appointment is booked. No automatic cancellation penalty is established by this website page alone.

If I must cancel or reschedule, I will notify the client as soon as reasonably possible and discuss appropriate next steps.

9. Refunds and Prepaid Services

If a client has prepaid for services that are not provided, the unearned portion will be refunded or credited, subject to the signed agreement and applicable law.

Fees for services already performed and authorized expenses properly incurred may remain payable under the agreement. Any refund or credit will be calculated in accordance with the services delivered, the written terms, and applicable legal requirements.

Clients may contact me with questions or concerns about an invoice, payment, or refund.

10. Confidentiality and Student Information

I understand that families may share sensitive educational, behavioral, developmental, and personal information. I will use reasonable safeguards to protect information and limit its use to providing the agreed services, administering the business, and meeting applicable legal obligations.

Information will not intentionally be shared with schools or other outside parties without appropriate authorization, except where disclosure is permitted or required by law.

Clients should share only information reasonably necessary for the requested services. Student records should be transmitted and stored using appropriate safeguards. Email and online systems cannot be guaranteed completely secure.

Nothing in this policy promises absolute confidentiality where a legal disclosure obligation applies.

11. Client Responsibilities

Clients agree to:

Clients are not required to possess every educational document before seeking an initial consultation.

12. Ending Services

Either party may request to end the professional relationship by providing written notice. The parties will follow the signed service agreement regarding outstanding balances, work already completed, authorized expenses, and prepaid services not yet provided.

Refunds or credits for services not provided will be handled in accordance with the agreement and applicable law. Ending the relationship does not eliminate payment obligations for authorized services already performed.

Upon request and where appropriate, arrangements can be discussed for returning or securely disposing of client-provided records, subject to any applicable retention requirements.

13. Third-Party Decisions and External Services

Beyond the Basics does not control the actions, decisions, timelines, or responses of schools, school districts, evaluators, healthcare providers, or other third parties.

Educational consulting does not replace legal counsel, medical care, psychological services, or other professional services requiring separate qualifications or licensure. Clients should seek appropriate professional advice when a matter falls outside the scope of educational advocacy and consulting.

14. Questions, Concerns, and Communication

I welcome questions about services, invoices, policies, and expectations. Please raise concerns directly so they can be addressed promptly and professionally.

Taquana Stubbs, M.Ed., Ed.S.
Beyond the Basics: Spectrum of Possibilities
Email: beyond.basics2016@gmail.com
Website: www.beyondthebasics2016.org
Location: Atlanta, Georgia

Important Notice

This page provides general information about business policies and is not a substitute for the signed service agreement. If a conflict arises, the applicable signed agreement and governing law will determine the terms that apply. These policies are subject to revision as permitted by law, with applicable changes communicated to clients.