Parent Mentor
What is a Parent Mentor?
A Parent Mentor is the parent of a child with a disability employed by a local education agency to help school districts and families by providing training, support and information services.
Vision
Districts have a responsibility to develop, support and implement a system of education services for all students.
The basis of the Parent Mentor Program is the expectation that students with disabilities be ensured appropriate and meaningful education when parents and educators communicated effectively and operationalize the partnership planning required by the Individuals with Disabilities Improvement Act.
Districts choose to implement the Parent Mentor Program to promote this necessary and effective communication by providing information and support to families about special education issues and by providing a mechanism to convey the family perspective back to the system.
History
In regional meetings, parents of children with disabilities in the state of Ohio voiced the need for a person at the school district level who could best relate to their family's experiences.
In response to this need, the Parent Mentor Program was created through the combined efforts of IDE and the Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD).
In 1990, 10 pilot sites were selected, represening school districts in urban, suburban, and rural areas. he overwhelming success of these sites prompted a request to the Ohio General Assembly for additional funds. Parent Mentors now serve families of children with disabilties in approximately one-third of Ohio's school districts.
No Cost For Services
Ohio Parent Mentor projects are funded through grants from the Ohio Department of Education (ODE). All Parent Mentor services are provided to families free of charge.
Parent Mentors:
* Guide families through the special education process, including rights and responsibilities;
* Listen and provide support to families and educators on an individual basis;
* Provide information and resources to families and school personnel on education laws, district
programs and services; and community resources;
* Attend Individualized Eduation Program meetings and other meetings at parent or staff request;
* Organize and conduct information sessions or workshops based on the needs of families and
professionals; and
* Build collaborative partnerships between families, schools and committees to benefit students with
disabilities.
A Parent Mentor is the parent of a child with a disability employed by a local education agency to help school districts and families by providing training, support and information services.
Vision
Districts have a responsibility to develop, support and implement a system of education services for all students.
The basis of the Parent Mentor Program is the expectation that students with disabilities be ensured appropriate and meaningful education when parents and educators communicated effectively and operationalize the partnership planning required by the Individuals with Disabilities Improvement Act.
Districts choose to implement the Parent Mentor Program to promote this necessary and effective communication by providing information and support to families about special education issues and by providing a mechanism to convey the family perspective back to the system.
History
In regional meetings, parents of children with disabilities in the state of Ohio voiced the need for a person at the school district level who could best relate to their family's experiences.
In response to this need, the Parent Mentor Program was created through the combined efforts of IDE and the Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD).
In 1990, 10 pilot sites were selected, represening school districts in urban, suburban, and rural areas. he overwhelming success of these sites prompted a request to the Ohio General Assembly for additional funds. Parent Mentors now serve families of children with disabilties in approximately one-third of Ohio's school districts.
No Cost For Services
Ohio Parent Mentor projects are funded through grants from the Ohio Department of Education (ODE). All Parent Mentor services are provided to families free of charge.
Parent Mentors:
* Guide families through the special education process, including rights and responsibilities;
* Listen and provide support to families and educators on an individual basis;
* Provide information and resources to families and school personnel on education laws, district
programs and services; and community resources;
* Attend Individualized Eduation Program meetings and other meetings at parent or staff request;
* Organize and conduct information sessions or workshops based on the needs of families and
professionals; and
* Build collaborative partnerships between families, schools and committees to benefit students with
disabilities.