Ohio Coalition for the Education
of Children with Disabilities

Burley, Margaret
Executive Director, Marion Office

Margaret Burley has been the Executive Director of OCECD since 1979. In this short time, she has expanded the organization from five parent and professional organizations, working out of her home with no money for the phone bill or staff to assist her to an over $2 million budget today. She has been able to obtain and sustain grant funds from the state and federal departments of education. She has built the organizational members from five in 1979 to the current 48 member governing board which includes parent and professional organization representatives. She directs public policy and research for OCECD. Margaret is known nationally for her work in the field for over 38 years. Tom, her son, is the youngest of four children and has multiple disabilities from Congenital Rubella Syndrome. Margaret lives on the family farm with her husband.

Derugen, Lee Ann
Co-Director, Marion Office

Lee Ann Derugen is the Co-Director of the OCECD. For 11 years she was previously the Regional Co-Director for the Alliance Region 4 Parent Technical Assistance Center where she provided technical assistance to the 14 parent centers in the Midwest states. Since 1979, she has worked beside Executive Director, Margaret Burley. Starting out as a volunteer answering the phone in that home based office to currently managing 21 staff in 11 offices across Ohio. She is the financial manager and program coordinator of six grants from various funding sources. Lee Ann became involved with OCECD because of her compassion for individuals with disabilities and her interest in the field. Her youngest brother has multiple disabilities. As his guardian, Lee Ann continues to be his advocate and supervises the staff in his own home through a supported living program. She resides outside of Marion with her husband.

Albert, Joy
Executive Assistant, Marion Office

Joy has been with OCECD as the Assistant to the Co-Director since 2005. She handles calls, prepares for meetings, and does scheduling and planning. Joy helps with mailings, reporting, training packets and general office duties. She also Coordinates the It's My Turn Student Training Program by working with the trainers and the school district personnel in planning for the trainings. She organizes the training props/materials, works with caterers and sets up billing. Joy resides outside Marion with her husband. She has 5 children and 5 grandchildren. She previously worked at General Telephone (GTE) and other businesses in the community.

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 lives in Delaware with her husband and 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 Latino Office

Esther is from Puerto Rico. She began to work with OCECD in 2010. She covers the Northern Ohio area. 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

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.

Ferdinand, Angela
Executive Assistant, Marion office

Angie has been with OCECD since 1999. She is the Executive Assistant to the Director, Margaret Burley. She assists with office operations, handles calls and mail, maintains the governing board membership which includes parent and professional organization representatives and is responsible for collection, development, and maintenance of data for the Parent Alert System and ODE parent surveys. She assists Margaret with public policy and research for OCECD, scheduling and meeting preparation. Angie prepares parent and governing board mailings, prepares and edits the FORUM newsletter and also assists with computer technology, phone and email accounts, and tracks equipment inventory.

Huckaba, Cheryl
Parent Training Assistant, Marion Office

Cheryl has been with OCECD since 1998. She copies and collates training materials for regional trainings and state conferences. She fills publication orders, completes mailings and assists staff in various ways. She also assists the librarian in disseminating library material. She has previous worked at Mobile Meals, Marion County Board of Developmental Disabilities, and Compass Group Homes. She has two daughters and three grandchildren.

Hudson, Connie
Conference Coordinator

Connie has been OCECD Conference Coordinator since 2004. She coordinates the annual conferences and events such as: Partnering for Progress, Leadership and the Horn/Walter Awards Banquet. She also writes/distributes the FUN Newsletter which is geared to families of young children 0-9. She was a Parent Advocate from 1998 to 2004 for the West Central office. She graduated from Columbia College with an Associate Degree in Business Administration. She became interested in special education after having two children with special needs. Connie is the parent of three children; a daughter who has A.D.D. with Depression and a son who is medically fragile with Cognitive Disability. She has served on the board of Family Voices of Ohio and is a member of Logan County Supported Living Advisory Council.

Lause, Martha
Head Librarian, Marion Office

Martha Lause has been the Head Librarian for the OCECD since 1997. She has a master's degrees in Library Science and in Education. She is responsible for collection, development, and maintenance of the Coalition's vast library and information files. She provides requested information to parents, Parent Mentors, teachers, professionals and regional OCECD offices and coordinates the Parent Network mailing that is distributed to over 300 parent groups within the state of Ohio. She also maintains the Coalition's mailing database of over 50,000 parent, teacher and professional contacts and FORUM subscriptions. Martha is the mother of three children; her eldest son, a college graduate, has attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and learning disabilities.

Rice, Barbara
Grants Manager, Marion Office

Barbara has been with OCECD since 2002. She coordinates conference events for the Parent Mentors in Ohio. She is the grants manager and bookkeeper for all OCECD grants. She holds a bachelor's degree in Education as well as a teaching license for social sciences grades 7-12. Her background in is social services and casework through Marion County Job and Family Services. Active in her church, she helped establish Prospect Christian Preschool and served on an all female work team in West Virginia through the Appalachia Service Project. Barbara is married and has two daughters.

Seaton, Jane
Executive Assistant, Marion Office

Jane has been with OCECD since 1999. She is the assistant to Statewide Training Coordinator. She is responsible for scheduling trainings, meetings for the Coordinator and making travel arrangements for some staff members. She prepares the training materials that the trainers need and ships them to the training location. She monitors the curriculum and office supplies for the Marion office as well as the regional offices and places orders when needed. She tracks the trainings and completes monthly reports to follow up on statistics needed for management and various grants. Jane previously was employed with the Marion County Department of Human Services for 15 years. She and her husband have three daughters and five grandchildren.

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.   

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 also is a lead trainer in the northern part of Ohio for the “It’s My Turn” transition training for students age 14-21. She previously was Advocacy Manager for Ohio Protection & Advocacy Association for 5 years. She has been assisting families in securing appropriate services for children with disabilities for over 20 years. 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.

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