Ohio Coalition for the Education
of Children with Disabilities

Caceres, Marbella
Statewide Multicultural Coordinator, Marion Office

Marbella has been with OCECD since 2006. She is from San Pedro Sula, Honduras. Her responsibilities include translating materials for families from English to Spanish and development of trainings that address the cultural needs in the state of Ohio. She also serves the Hispanic/Latina families regarding information and individual assistance on their rights. She has started a support group which the parents have titled P.L.A.N.E.O. (Latino Parents Associated for Special Children in Ohio). She was previously employed for four years as an Instructor in the field of public service. Prior to coming to America, she worked as Executive Secretary for Amy Industries in Honduras. Marbella has two daughters.

Marbella Caceres la coordinadora multicultural de la Coalición. Ella viaja por todo el estado ayudando a padres latinos que tienen niños/as con necesidades de educación especial y es la co-fundadora del primer grupo de apoyo para padres llamado Padres Latinos Asociados por los Niños Especiales en Ohio (PLANEO).  Ella traduce todos los materiales de entrenamiento e información, desarrolla entrenamientos y materiales para ayudar con la necesidades culturales en el estado de Ohio, organiza los programas de alcance comunitario, coordina eventos y está a cargo del manejo y organización de los grupos de apoyo (PLANEO) a nivel estatal.

Martinez, Iliana
Multicultural Advocate/Trainer, Mid Ohio Latino Office

Iliana has been with OCECD since June 2010. She is from Mexico D.F.  She serves the Hispanic/Latino families in Mid Ohio regarding information and individual assistance on their rights through trainings and advocacy skills. She also supports with the coordination of P.L.A.N.E.O. (Latino Parents Associated for Special Children in Ohio), a statewide support group for Spanish speaking families. She holds a B.S. in Biology Science. Iliana has two sons, which one of them has learning disabilities.

Iliana Martinez aboga y entrena a las familias Latinas en la parte Central de Ohio y también ayuda con la organización del grupo De apoyo PLANEO en Columbus.

Rodrigez, Esther
Multicultural Advocate/Trainer, Northern Ohio Latino Office

She began to work with OCECD in the area of Cleveland Ohio, in 2010. Esther is from Puerto Rico. She has 3 children; the youngest is a girl who suffers from schizoaffective disorder. This invaluable experience of her life and studies motivated her to organize and develop various programs for the Hispanic Community. Esther organized the first Hispanic support group for adults with mental conditions, called ALAS, and is a volunteer instructor in educational programs aimed at families looking for support related to mental health. NAMI recently awarded her with the Cultural Competence in Mental Health award. Esther is a student in Psychology and has 2 grandchildren.

Esther Rodriguez asiste a las familias en la parte Noreste de Ohio, proporcionando entrenamientos, hablando con padres por teléfono y atendiendo a las reuniones relacionadas con la educación de sus hijos/as.

Isaq, Ginny
Multicultural Advocate/Trainer for Somali families in Central Ohio

Ginny began her work with OCECD in 2010 in central Ohio. Ginny has a B.A in Social Work, a Master’s degree in International Development and Social Change from Clark University in Worcester Massachusetts and she is also Licensed Practical Nurse.  Ginny has worked for over 20 years in various programs such as Community Development, International Disaster Relief, Refugee Resettlements and Mental Health/behavioral health settings in Africa and the United States.  She began as a Social Worker and has worked in different capacities with nonprofit organization including Kenyan Red Cross, World Vision International and United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).   Enhancing Refugee and Immigrants development programs, community Microenterprises and Mental Health Services. Her local experiences include improving Refugee and Immigrant’s mental health services. She has presented at many local and State & Conferences addressing Immigrants and Refugee’s health and education Culturally Competent services. Ginny brings to OCECD a combination of the unique experiences of being a nurse, Community development/microenterprise strategist, Social worker and Cultural Competent Trainer. As a Multicultural Specialist/Trainer, her goal is to reduce/eliminate immigrant children’s with special needs education/Health disparities by Improving Access to Quality Care.   As well as to overcome cultural barriers.  Currently an LPN, she is pursuing RN license.

Ginny provides special education advocacy and training to Somali families in central Ohio. She helps families with referrals to agencies and services.

Ginny Isaq proporciona abogacía y entrena a las familias Somalís y del Medio Este en el área de Columbus.  Les ayuda a las familias con el referido a diferentes agencias y servicios.

Rutt, Barb
Parent Advocate/Trainer, Cleveland Office

Barb has been with OCECD since 2002. She provides information, training and support for parents in Cuyahoga County. She is a lead trainer in the northern part of Ohio in the “It’s My Turn” transition training for students age 14-21. Previously Barb was a Parent Mentor for Cleveland Municipal Schools from 1996-2002. Barb recently obtained her Associate degree in Applied Science/Human Services and currently holds an Ohio license as a social work assistant. Barb has three children; the youngest challenged with Autism.

Ryle, Jeanith
Parent Advocate, Marion Office

Jeanith has been with OCECD since 1998. She provides information and support to parents regarding their rights in the special education process and helps them advocate for their children. She has four children; the eldest daughter has Angelman Syndrome, cognitive disabilities, cerebral palsy and is Bi-polar and non-verbal. Her youngest son has Dyslexia and learning disabilities.

Lyke, Karen
Parent Advocate/Trainer, Northern Office

Karen has been with OCECD since 2003. Karen provides information, training and support to parents in her area. She is a lead trainer in the northern part of Ohio in the “It’s My Turn” transition training for students age 14-21. She previously worked for Ohio Protection & Advocacy, Cleveland office. She has two children; her son has multiple disabilities.

Brickner, Sandy
Parent Advocate/Trainer, North Central Office

Sandy has been with OCECD since 2000. Sandy provides information, training and support to parents in her area. She is also the lead trainer for the Northwest to the Southwest side of the state for the “It’s My Turn” transition training provided for students ages 14-21. Sandy holds a degree in Early Childhood Education. She previously served as a Parent Mentor for several years. Sandy has five sons; two have been identified with learning disabilities and one is challenged with AD/HD.

Jones, Nancy
Parent Advocate/Trainer, Southern Office

Nancy has been with OCECD since 2004. She provides information, training and support to parents in her area. For 4 years prior to joining OCECD, she provided advocacy services for parents as a volunteer. Nancy’s interest is in children with behavioral challenges and in empowering parents to advocate for their child. Nancy has 2 children. Her son has AD/HD and needed specialized supports when he was in school.

Dombroskas, Valorie
Parent Advocate/Trainer, Southeast Office

Valorie has been with OCECD since 2002. She provides information, training and support to parents in her area. Previously she was a Parent Mentor serving families in Athens and Meigs Counties. She is also the former director of the Special Education Parent Advocacy Network (SEPAN) when she also worked with OCECD for several years. Valorie is the parent of a son with a learning disability.

Bryant, Robin
Parent Advocate/Trainer, Southwest Office

Robin has been with OCECD since 1990 and as a consultant prior to that time. She provides information, training and support to parents in her area. Previously she provided services to families as an employee of the Southwest Special Education Regional Resource Center for ten years from 1979-1989. Robin has a love for early childhood education and has taught pre-school and kindergarten in the public school system. Robin has a hearing impairment and is the parent of a son and a daughter with learning disabilities.

Dennison, Kim
Parent Advocate/Trainer, Ohio River Valley Office

Kim has been with OCECD since 2005. She provides information, training and support to parents in her area. She previously worked as a Parent Mentor for Gallia County Local School District in Southeastern Ohio. She is a parent of a daughter who was born deaf and received a Cochlear Implant at the age of 3 ½ years of age.

Marcie Beers
Statewide Preschool Parent Mentor, Marion Office

Marcie has been with the OCECD since July 2010.  Her focus is preschool education programming, special education performance measures, Early Learning Content Standards and Early Learning Program Guidelines.  Marcie disseminates information and supports and assists families, parent networks, parent organizations, school districts and universities.  She performs trainings and attends conferences and resource fairs. Marcie holds a B.S. in Elementary Education.  Before joining OCECD, Marcie has worked within the education field as a long-term substitute, a GED Instructor, and as the Director of an Adult Literacy Program.  Marcie has two sons; her youngest son receives services for a Communication Disorder.   

Cotrell, Pam
Parent Advocate/Trainer, West Central Office

Pam has been with OCECD since 2008. She provides information, training and support to parents in her area. She is also a registered Nurse. She first became interested in advocating for children with disabilities when she found herself overwhelmed when navigating the educational system on behalf of her own daughter who was non-verbal and had cerebral palsy. Pam is committed to assisting parents in becoming a confident team member in developing an appropriate educational program for their child.

Sebastian, Tammie
Parent Advocate/Trainer, Cleveland Office

Tammie started with OCECD in September, 2011. She provides information, training and support for parents in Cuyahoga County. Previously Tammie was an advocate for the Tapestry System of Care. Her focus before coming to OCECD was the Juvenile Justice System and helping families getting the schools to evaluate children that were not getting the proper services they needed and therefore ended up in the court system. Tammie has two daughters, one with Asthma and one with Strabismus. She also raised her nephew who was behaviorally challenged.

Need Assistance?

Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities works with parents to help get them the assistance they need. If you need one-to-one assistance, call (800) 374-2806 ext. 20