DYLCIA

Educational Advisor

Dylcia Hernandez-Dell-Era is Thrive's in-house Educational Advisor and a powerhouse advocate for children with diverse learning needs. With over 20 years of experience spanning social work, classroom teaching, and school administration, she brings a rare combination of systemic knowledge and deeply personal understanding to her work.

Dylcia is herself the parent of four children, three of whom have IEPs for neurodiversity, and one who is a courageous burn survivor. She has sat in those meetings, navigated the paperwork mountains, and felt the gap between what families need and what they are often given. That experience is the driving force behind everything she does at Thrive.

Her professional background as an assistant principal and special education program administrator means she knows the school system from the inside — how it works, where families get lost, and exactly what it takes to secure the supports a child deserves. She translates that knowledge into clear, actionable advocacy for every family she serves.

Dylcia is also the founder of Education Lowdown, her personal mission to empower families to stand tall and communicate clearly on behalf of their children. She is the owner-operator of Gemstone Labradoodles, where she raises puppies with the potential to become service dogs, therapy dogs, and emotional support animals,  including one she owner-trained for her own child.