Parent Mentors Join Forces to Bring Clarity to Medicaid, Waivers, and OhioRISE
News Share the Post: Related Posts Written by Marcie Kamb, December 9, 2025 Navigating Medicaid, waivers, and the many levels of care available to individuals with disabilities can feel overwhelming for families. Recognizing this challenge as they hear recurring questions on these topics from the families they serve, Parent Mentors from Regions 2 and 3 […]
Gallia County Parent Mentor Leads Annual Special Skills Sports at the 2025 Rio Grande Invitational
News Share the Post: Related Posts Gallipolis, Ohio, October 8, 2025 Allison Small, Parent Mentor for Gallia County Local Schools, continues to make a lasting impact in her community through her leadership and support. In September, Allison coordinated the annual Special Skills Sports/Rio Grande Invitational, a track and field event held at the University of […]
Tina Wallace Shares Parent Mentor Perspective on FACES Episode for Columbus City Schools
News Share the Post: Related Posts Tina Wallace, Parent Mentor for Columbus City Schools (CCS), was recently featured on FACES, the online Family and Community Engagement Series program designed to inform and connect families, schools, and the community. This episode focused on Special Education at East High School, with a spotlight on how CCS supports […]
Building Early Connections: Pam Thornburg’s Impact as Fayette County’s Parent Mentor
As families prepare for the transition into kindergarten, Pam Thornburg, Parent Mentor for Fayette County Schools, is making sure they don’t walk that path alone. Pam recently participated in the Head Start Preschool Screener, where she connected with 26 families, offering not just information but a warm welcome into a supportive community. Pam introduced herself […]
Spotlight on Erin Simmons: From North Central ESC to Washington D.C., she Champions the Disability Community
Erin Simmons, Parent Mentor at the North Central Ohio Educational Service Center, shines as a beacon of support for families navigating the education and disability services journey. Since joining the Parent Mentor Program in the 2022–2023 school year, Erin has combined personal experience with professional dedication to ensure families feel seen, heard, and supported. As […]
Worthington Parent Mentor Expands Support for Families Through New Roles and Training
News Share the Post: Related Posts Shannon Daily, Parent Mentor and occupational therapist for Worthington Schools, continues to expand her impact in supporting families of students with special needs. “Collaboration has been my favorite part of this position! Whether it be with leadership within the district, special education staff or community resources, coming up […]
Joy Howard, Parent Mentor, Shares Her Story of Advocacy Through Film
News Share the Post: Related Posts Joy Howard, Parent Mentor for Cleveland Heights–University Heights, is a proud mother of five children whose advocacy journey has touched many. She recently shared her story through two films that highlight the realities of caregiving and the importance of inclusive community spaces. Joy contributed to the PBS documentary Caregiving, […]
Pathways to Success Workshop Builds Bridges with Multilingual Families in Dublin City Schools
News Share the Post: Dee Marks, Parent Mentor for Dublin City Schools, hosted a heartfelt and culturally inclusive Pathways to Success workshop on April 10, 2025, welcoming 17 parents and caregivers—many of whom were part of the district’s Japanese-speaking community. The Ohio Statewide Family Engagement Center trains on The Pathways to Success workshop, which aims […]
Parent Mentor Caitlin Smith Recognized as Champion for Children Employee of the Month
News Share the Post: The Ohio Parent Mentor Program celebrates Caitlin Smith, Parent Mentor at Warren County Educational Service Center, for being named Champion for Children Employee of the Month for February 2025 as part of the Champions for Children Initiative. This initiative honors outstanding employees from Warren County Educational Service Center, Southwest Ohio Council […]
Parent Mentors Create Caring Closets to Build Bridges of Support in Schools
News Share the Post: Ohio’s Parent Mentors already wear many hats and often their work extends far beyond the calls, e-mails, meetings, and paperwork. During a Community of Practice, the Parent Mentors of regions 7, 9 & 12 shared examples of Caring Closets they have helped create or maintain to support students in their districts. […]
