Welcome to the HCSD Parent Mentor Webpage

The parent mentor serves as the support person and an information resource to assist parents with the special education process. The goal is to assist parents and teachers in establishing a cooperative working relationship to enable your child to reach his/her fullest potential. The Parent Mentor Program is funded through a grant through the Ohio Department of Education Office of Exceptional Children.

The parent mentor is here as a confidant to listen, answer questions, and offer resources and support.

Some examples of the types of resources the Parent Mentor may provide are:

• Connections to community resources and support
• Information on upcoming events of interest
• Resource Library
• Information on the Special Education Process (evaluation, implementation, transition)
• State and Federal Rules and Regulations
• Links to support groups & parent-to-parent networking

Since 1990, Ohio Parent Mentors have helped families navigate local and state special education processes and services so that children with disabilities can get the most out of their educational experience. Using our lived experience and an evidence-based approach, we work in collaboration with families, schools, and agencies to create the conditions for success for your child.

Currently, there are approximately 100 Parent Mentor Projects in Ohio. They serve more than one-third of the schools and families in Ohio’s school districts. With our support as peers and trained mentors, parents will understand the special education process and become better advocates for their children. Ohio’s Parent Mentor Project offers all services free of charge to families.  (https://parentmentor.osu.edu/)

Please view the short video by clicking on the link below for an overview of the Parent Mentors of Ohio Program : 

 Parent Mentor Video