October 19th, 2025

We are writing to share developments within our organization, respond to recent statements, and provide transparency to our community.

In early May 2025, CRHE’s board was made aware of concerns regarding interactions between CRHE’s board and staff members. In keeping with best practices for such situations, the board immediately voted to hire an independent external investigator to review these concerns and establish the facts. 

The independent investigation, conducted by Employment Practices Solutions, found that the two individuals active in CRHE who had entered into a romantic relationship ultimately disclosed the relationship appropriately. The board acted quickly in accordance with CRHE’s conflict of interest policy to put in place appropriate safeguards to address the conflict. 

The investigation did not find any violations of CRHE’s official policy or breaches of fiduciary duty. However, the investigation did reveal that CRHE’s policies and structures had not kept pace with our rapid growth from an all-volunteer organization to one with multiple full-time staff members. Since these findings, we have worked to update our organizational policies..

In June, Board Chair Carmen Longoria-Green resigned her position because she disagreed with the professional investigation’s findings and the board’s subsequent response. Since her resignation, Ms. Longoria-Green has shared her perspective publicly on social media and in additional statements, including her concerns about how these events were handled and about the overall organizational culture. Although we respect her right to share her opinions, we have a different perspective on these events. We believe unequivocally that the core mission of CRHE remains a strong and worthwhile cause, and have full confidence in the integrity of our board and staff members. 

Additionally, the board reaffirms that misogyny, racism, transphobia, and sexism have no place at CRHE. This organization is made up of diverse voices and people, and we do not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or bias in any form.

As part of our growth and dedication to the CRHE mission, we worked to strengthen our organization by: 

• Welcoming Tess Ulrey as our first full-time Executive Director. Tess brings significant nonprofit management experience to CRHE, along with professional lobbying experience, and is intent on ensuring we grow ethically and responsibly.
• Updating our HR policies and governance structures to reflect our current organizational size and needs. 
• Reaffirming our commitment to strengthening diversity among our board and staff as we continue to grow. 

The board has waited to release this statement because we hoped to avoid directing attention to already-disproven allegations about a private personnel matter. However, since a previous board member has made public statements connected to those allegations, we want to be forthcoming with our supporters.. 

The most important message we want to clearly convey is our deep and continuous commitment to CRHE’s mission of advocating for homeschooled children’s right to a comprehensive education and a safe home environment. 

Sincerely,

CRHE’s Board of Directors

September 8, 2025

For immediate release

The Board of Directors of the Coalition for Responsible Home Education is pleased to welcome Tess Ulrey of St. Joseph, Michigan as the new executive director at CRHE – a groundbreaking hire for the organization as the first full-time, permanent ED in CRHE’s 12-year history.
Ulrey’s experience as a leader in both nonprofit and political spaces makes her uniquely suited to take on the challenges that come with the work done by CRHE, bringing with her a robust skill set in advocacy, fundraising, and leadership. She’s led programming for organizations like the YMCA, Girls on the Run, and the Boys & Girls Club and has spent over 15 years in nonprofits serving young people.

Ulrey is passionate about amplifying the impact of youth development work and connecting missions with resources and voices that create sustainability, and is skilled at centering the experiences of young people in her efforts at advocacy and collaboration. Ulrey recently led youth advocacy efforts in Lansing and Washington, DC, has served on the Michigan After School Partnership’s Out of School Time Advisory Committee, and rallied funders to support alternative educational opportunities for underserved youth in Southwest Michigan. Her passion for education and youth issues arises in part from her own background and experiences as a homeschooled student during the majority of her primary and secondary education years. Ulrey also currently serves as an elected city commissioner in St. Joseph, Michigan, where she lives with her family.
“Tess Ulrey’s proven record of accomplishment in youth development, advocacy, and fundraising makes her the ideal choice to lead CRHE into our next phase of growth,” said Board President Jeremy C. Young. “In a strong field of 90 candidates, Tess’s experience, energy, and enthusiasm stood out. Tess is an expert in helping nonprofits fulfill their potential and achieve their goals, and CRHE will benefit greatly from her leadership, both now and in the future.”

“I am honored to continue the legacy of CRHE in empowering and advocating for homeschooled children, and am truly excited to consider the potential of connecting even more across the experience of home based education for the best outcomes,” said Ulrey. “I believe that our community at large has a responsibility to our youngest members – whether or not they are in a school system – and I am truly enthusiastic about the unique opportunity to use my background as a former homeschooled student alongside my professional track record to take CRHE’s mission to an even greater audience.”

Ulrey’s appointment marks the end of Dr. Jonah Stewart’s tenure as Interim Executive Director. Stewart has returned to the staff in a reimagined role as CRHE’s full-time Director of Programs, responsible for an expanding portfolio of initiatives aimed at supporting and protecting homeschooled children and adults. The Board extends their thanks to Stewart for their leadership in a period of transition and looks forward to continuing to work with them in their new role.

The Coalition for Responsible Home Education, founded in 2013, empowers homeschooled children by educating the public and advocating for child-centered, evidence-based policy and practices for families and professionals. CRHE envisions a future where homeschooled children’s right to a comprehensive and empowering education and to a safe and supportive home environment is affirmed and protected by laws, stakeholders, and society as a whole. CRHE’s strength is our people: our staff, volunteers, and the community of homeschooled children and adults we serve, all powered by the generous support of donors like you.

###

Children’s rights organization condemns SCOTUS attack on education

For immediate release

Washington, DC – On June 27, the Supreme Court of the United States issued a decision in the case of Mahmoud v. Taylor, which addresses whether parents have a religious-exercise right to exempt their children from educational requirements.  The Coalition for Responsible Home Education (CRHE) interim executive director Dr. Jonah Stewart released the following statement:

“CRHE is disappointed in the Supreme Court’s decision concerning Mahmoud v. Taylor. The court has unfortunately chosen to center the desires of parents instead of the right of every child to be safe, to learn, and to access the resources they need. As an organization founded and run entirely by former homeschooled students, we know well the devastating consequences when parents skip educational requirements because of their religious beliefs. The court’s decision has imperiled countless children’s ability to receive a quality education. We remain steadfast in our commitment to advocate for stronger laws that protect children’s rights, and to create resources to support impacted communities.

“We would like to again thank every formerly homeschooled student who shared their story with us for the amicus brief we filed with the Supreme Court in the spring. While this isn’t the outcome we wanted, we know that our voices have power. We will continue to call out this injustice and fight for every child to access a quality education.”

The Coalition for Responsible Home Education empowers homeschooled children by educating the public and advocating for child-centered, evidence-based policy, and practices for families and professionals. www.responsiblehomeschooling.org

###

Coalition for Responsible Home Education Files Amicus Brief With The United States Supreme Court in Mahmoud v. Taylor 

For immediate release

Washington, DC — On April 9, the Coalition for Responsible Home Education (CRHE) filed an amicus brief with the Supreme Court of the United States in the case of Mahmoud v. Taylor, sharing the stories of homeschooled students across the country who experienced educational neglect. CRHE board chair Carmen Longoria-Green released the following statement:

“The Coalition for Responsible Home Education is honored to be a part of this historic case. As an organization founded and run entirely by formerly homeschooled students, we know firsthand the devastating consequences when parents skip educational requirements because of their religious beliefs. CRHE is proud to bring a child-centered perspective to the litigation. All too often, when courts consider the rights of parents, they neglect to also consider the right of every child to be safe, to learn, and to access the resources they need.

“We’re thankful to each and every formerly homeschooled student who bravely shared their stories with us, and we hope that no matter what happens, these individuals are as proud as we are to speak up at this critical moment in history when educational standards and institutions are crumbling around us, making homeschooled children at greater risk than ever before.”

Mahmoud v. Taylor is a case before the U.S. Supreme Court that addresses whether parents have a religious-exercise right to exempt their children from educational requirements. 

Mahmoud v. Taylor will be heard in late April.

The Coalition for Responsible Home Education empowers homeschooled children by educating the public and advocating for child-centered, evidence-based policy, and practices for families and professionals. www.responsiblehomeschooling.org

###

Illinois HB 2827 adopts elements of CRHE’s Make Homeschool Safe Act model legislation

The Coalition for Responsible Home Education (CRHE), the only national nonprofit founded and run by homeschooled adults advocating for homeschooled children, strongly supports Illinois HB 2827, a bill that would promote child safety and education access.

If passed, HB 2827, also known as the Homeschool Act, would:

• Ensure every school-age child in Illinois is accounted for. Requires parents to notify their local school district of their intent to homeschool their child each year.
• Ensure every child has a record of their academic progress. Requires homeschooling parents to maintain a portfolio of student work to show that the child is receiving an education at least on par with public school standards.
• Ensure every child learns from educated instructors. Requires parents to have a high school diploma or equivalent in order to homeschool
• Protect children from convicted sex offenders. Bans those convicted of sexual abuse crimes from homeschooling.
• Streamline the process for homeschooled children to take part in public school activities. Requires homeschooled children taking part in public school activities to submit immunization records the same way that public school students do, while keeping current legal exemptions to immunization in place

HB 2827 draws from the Make Homeschool Safe Act, a first-of-its-kind piece of model legislation published by CRHE in 2024. The Make Homeschool Safe Act contains a range of provisions that promote child safety, education, and resource access in the homeschool community.

“Every child has the right to be safe, to learn, and to access resources. HB 2827 would protect those rights for children who are homeschooled in Illinois,” said CRHE Executive Director Angela Grimberg. “We are grateful for this opportunity to work with Illinois lawmakers and the homeschool community to help bring HB 2827 to fruition. And we urge everyone who cares about children’s rights, both in Illinois and nationwide, to join us in supporting this bill.” 

Child advocacy group calls for stronger legal protections for homeschooled children

[Washington, DC]: On December 22, 2024, Kayden Gavarrete, a 7-year-old boy homeschooled in Indianapolis, Indiana, was found dead under suspicious circumstances. We at the Coalition for Responsible Home Education (CRHE), the only national nonprofit founded and run by homeschooled adults advocating for homeschooled children, mourn the loss of Kayden’s life.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Kayden allegedly suffered systemic abuse and was severely malnourished when his body was found. Kayden’s father also reportedly told detectives that his son had not seen a doctor in a year or two. His father and his father’s girlfriend both face multiple charges related to Kayden’s death. They had begun to homeschool Kayden at the start of the 2024-2025 school year, several months before he died. This is a developing story, and we will continue to monitor it.

Kayden’s story is devastating, but it also follows an unfortunately familiar pattern. At CRHE, we maintain Homeschooling’s Invisible Children, the world’s only database of extreme child abuse and neglect cases in homeschool settings. In the nearly 500 cases in our database, 49% of them, including Kayden’s, involve depriving children of food. Lax homeschool laws nationwide that have little or no provisions to ensure that children are safe and educated ultimately enable this kind of prolonged, intentional abuse. Sadly, since 2000, at least 220 abused and neglected homeschooled children have lost their lives.

Every child who is homeschooled deserves to be cared for and safe at home. At CRHE, we remain committed to protecting children like Kayden. We continue to conduct research, develop resources, and advocate for policies that prioritize homeschooled children’s wellbeing and education. To that end, we urge Indiana lawmakers to implement the Make Homeschool Safe Act, which contains measures that protect homeschooled children from abuse and neglect. It’s time to give children like Kayden the protection they deserve.