A Parent Mentor is a support person for parents of children with special needs. I am not a teacher or an administrator but a parent of a child with disabilities. I understand the questions and concerns parents may have. I am also familiar with Middletown City School District programs and currently have a son with special needs at Middletown High School.

I can help in a variety of ways that include:

• Act as a liaison or bridge between parents and schools when problems arise.
• Guide parents through the special education process.
• Explain your rights and responsibilities.
• Help provide services for children with disabilities and their families by collaborating with school and county agencies.
• Listen to concerns and find the best possible solutions.
• Offer one on one support for IEP's, assessment, program options within Middletown City School District, aid in life planning (vocational, employment training, college), and agency contacts and referrals for additional needed services.
• Provide access to the parent mentor resource library which contains a large variety of books, video's and training materials.
• Provide teachers with classroom resources through the teacher resource library.
• Organize workshops and publish quarterly newsletters on relevant topics of interest to special needs families.

I am committed to promoting a quality learning experience for your child in the Middletown City School District. The goal of the Parent Mentor is to:

 
• EDUCATE families and school staff about the special education process;
• INFORM parents of their legal rights;
• ACCESS services in the school and community;
• SUPPORT parents and school personnel through this process.

The Parent Mentor program for Middletown City Schools is funded through a $25,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Education. There are currently 71 programs operating throughout the state of Ohio.

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