Assisting Families 101 November 12, 2019 

10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

You must complete registration info to watch the recording. 

In Assisting Families 101, we’ll talk about everything you need to know to help you assist families with their child’s special education services as well as other helpful tips and tricks! This webinar will include: How we get started with a family upon initial contact; How we come up with an action plan to help them have a successful meeting with the school; How we help a family get connected with any outside services they may need.

Presenters: Rachel Barnhart, Parent Mentor for Muskingum Valley ESC Nichol (Nikki) Herold, Parent Mentor for Northwest Ohio ESC

Your Role in IEP/ETR Meetings

December 3, 2019 

10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

You must complete registration info to watch the recording. 

It’s important to understand your role as a Parent Mentor in Individualized Education Program (IEP) and Evaluation Team Report (ETR) meetings. This webinar will cover all the basics, including what’s appropriate, what to avoid, how to deal with difficult team members, and tips for assisting families and school personnel in their communication efforts.

Presenters: Heather Smith and Dee Marks, Parent Mentors for Dublin City Schools

Building Relationships and Developing Partnerships

January 7, 2020

10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

You must complete registration info to watch the recording. 

Establishing relationships with both school and community agencies is key to assisting families. This webinar will cover how to begin, tips for introducing yourself, setting people at ease, and how to maintain good relationships with people when conflict may arise. Time for Q&A will be included.

Presenter: Jacqueline Howley, Parent Mentor for Madison-Champaign ESC

OOD for Students

January 24, 2020

 10:00 – 12:00 p.m.

As a Parent Mentor, an important part of your job is helping make parents and school teams aware of transition services and activities that will enable their students to be successful as young adults when they graduate.  You need to be in the know!  This webinar provides information about the Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities, a key partner with the Ohio Department of Education’s Office for Exceptional Children, and the many changes to its service options in an effort to reach more students and provide more comprehensive services throughout the state. 

Presenters: Julie Hance, Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities and Alex Corwin, Office for Exceptional Children

Advocating for Your Child: How Does That Work?

April 14, 2020

10:00 – 11:00 a.m.

You must complete registration info to watch the recording. 

Parent Mentors walk many fine lines. Learn from a seasoned parent mentor’s 17 years of service as she has advocated for her own child in one of the districts that she serves. From preschool to post-secondary, her daughter didn’t fit into a neat and tidy box. How do you work your way out of that box and keep your position as a parent mentor?

Presenter: Vicki Lezon, Parent Mentor for North Point ESC

Deaf Is Diverse!

April 23, 2020

10:00 – 11:30 a.m.

Password:  3M!NJ?+u

In this webinar you will have an introduction to deaf culture and the unique needs of students who have any degree of hearing loss, from mild to profound or unilateral to bilateral. We will discuss how IDEA and ADA specifically support the educational needs of students with hearing impairments or deafness and can how they can be applied to real-life situations. A variety of tools and resources to support families, teachers, and related services providers will also be presented.

You must complete registration info to watch the recording. 

Presenter: Tabitha Belhorn, Ohio School for the Deaf

Positive Mental Health Practices:  One School's Journey

June 17, 2020

10:00 – 12:00 p.m.

Password:  2U&&K3e?

You must complete registration info to watch the recording. 

Addressing the mental health needs of students can be a challenging task. Ms. Samuel will share her district’s approach to supporting the mental health needs of students and the support that is necessary for the school personnel who serve them:
• Creating awareness of common mental health diagnoses, and how behaviors related to those diagnoses may impact a student’s functioning, both in and out of school.
• Identifying students’ individual needs and developing IEPs with a clearly defined program of services and supports.
• Training for staff that supports their understanding of the students’ mental health needs, how to implement strategies, and their role.

Presenter: Tricia Samuel, Director of Educational Services, Maumee City Schools