Parent Mentors are a unique group of parents of children with special needs who work within school districts to provide families with the information and support they need to effectively work with the school district. The State of Ohio, through the collaborative efforts of the Ohio Department of Education, Office for Exceptional Children, and the Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities, provides ongoing staff development and technical support to Parent Mentors. Through numerous training opportunities, Parent Mentors are skilled in various areas including the special education system, conflict resolution, and current trends in discipline, communication, and many more.

Parent Mentors assist parents of children with disabilities who are seeking specialized services for their child and also help parents effectively interact with their childrsquos school district. Parent Mentors provide services in each county within the Mid-Ohio Educational Service Centerrsquos (Mid-Ohio ESC) service area: Crawford, Morrow and Richland. Services include maintaining resource libraries for parents and school-based special education staff, holding support group meetings, responding to telephone inquiries, attending school meetings either at parent or school district request, meeting with parents to review their childrsquos Individual Education Plan (IEP), and providing liaison services between parents and schools. They also provide parents with access to community resources, agencies, camps, and therapists. Parent Mentors work with other community agencies and professionals, helping them to understand special education regulations and procedures. As needed or upon request, training on various aspects of special education and inclusion practices is organized, sponsored, and hosted by Mid-Ohio ESCrsquos Parent Mentors for parents, teachers, physicians, and mental health professionals. Parent Mentor services are available to parents at no cost through a grant from the Ohio Department of Education.

For more information on Parent Mentors, call 419-774-5520 and ask for the Parent Mentors.