Parent Mentor Project

 Highlighted Resources:
• Financial Assistance for Postsecondary Education

During the early 1990's, OCECD worked with Ohio parents of children with disabilities and the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) to establish a statewide parent/professional collaboration model to support the appropriate education of children and youth with disabilities. As a result, 10 local school districts were funded to pilot Parent Mentor projects. The purpose of the project was to support local school districts in hiring parents of children with disabilities knowledgeable about the special education system to provide information and support to other parents in their district. Since 1991, ODE has funded project to 80 additional school districts around the state.

OCECD works collaboratively with the Parent Mentors located in local school districts. OCECD supports them by providing regular training activities and by providing resources and consultation to them as they serve the parents of children and youth with disabilities in their area.

OCECD believes that support for parents and families needs to be as close to home as possible. The Parent Mentor network helps make this possible. Contact your local school district to see if they support a Parent Mentor Project.

You can also check the Parent Mentor Web siteto find a list of parent mentor projects.