For parents of kids with disabilities, advocating for their child can be complicated, time-consuming — and expensive.Changes at the Education Department are likely to make the process even more difficult,

The layoffs are the first step toward dismantling the department, a goal espoused by President Trump and his education secretary, Linda McMahon.

A new lawsuit argues that recent layoffs undermine the office’s ability to investigate complaints of discrimination from all students, not just those aligned with President Trump’s agenda.

The U.S. DOE just laid off over 1,000 people — nearly half of its workforce. Schools and education experts worry about the impact on funding and Office of Civil Rights investigations.

Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, in a statement announcing his participation in the lawsuit, said the Education Department’s funding supports vital special education programs, student

Still, the state's superintendent of public schools said there would be a “much bigger impact” if Congress or the executive branch moved to pull funding.

Cuts impacted every part of the Department of Education, according to senior officials. A source told ABC News that the Offices for Civil Rights and Federal Student Aid were most affected by layoffs.