About

PARENT MENTORS MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR FAMILIES AND STUDENTS

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.

Meet Our Program Team

Lyndsay Havey is an Education Program Specialist at the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, Office for Exceptional Children. Lyndsay currently serves as an office lead for family engagement work, including support for the Parent Mentors of Ohio.

Gabrielle Johnson, PhD is a translational researcher at the Center on Education and Training for Employment (CETE) where she works as a member of the Equity, Engagement, and Evaluation Team. Gabrielle is also an Ohio Licensed School Psychologist.

Beth Crawford serves as a Program Manager across various teams at the Center on Education and Training for Employment (CETE). Beth serves in this role for the Project and also leads the Spring Conference Parent Mentor Committee.

Keli Bussell is a Researcher 2 with the Curriculum and Training team at the Center on Education and Training for Employment (CETE). Keli develops data collection tools and maintains project data for program improvement and reporting. Keli also leads the Professional Development Parent Mentor Committee.

Tricia Hughes-Fitzgerald is a Program Specialist at the Center on Education and Training for Employment, where she provides content expertise in the areas of curriculum and instruction. Tricia leads Parent Mentors in regional Community of Practice meetings on a monthly basis.

Sara Owens serves as a Program Specialist with the Equity, Engagement and Evaluation program at the Center on Education and Training for Employment (CETE). Sara trains and manages a team of Parent Mentors who serve as mentors for the onboarding and support of new Parent Mentors.

Jessica Hurtt is a Program Coordinator at the Center on Education and Training for Employment (CETE) on the Equity, Engagement, and Evaluation team. Jessica leads the Website Parent Mentor Committee and supports Communications for the Project.

Marcie Kamb is a Program Manager at Center on Education and Training for Employment (CETE). Marcie supports Communications for the Project as well as coordination of monthly Connect Meetings.

Melissa Ross, PsyD, serves the Center on Education and Training for Employment (CETE) as the Associate Director of Research Partnerships and Impacts and Program Director for the center’s Equity, Engagement, and Evaluation team. Dr. Ross provides oversight and administrative support for the Project.

About

PARENT MENTORS MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR FAMILIES AND STUDENTS

Meet Our Program Team

Lyndsay Havey

Dr. Gabrielle Johnson

Beth Crawford

Keli Bussell

Tricia Hughes-Fitzgerald

Sara Owens

Jessica Hurtt

Marcie Kamb

Dr. Melissa Ross

Our mission is to be passionate, connected, and accessible.

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Resource Library

Get Started

About

Resource Library