Reaching Heights seeks applicants for new parent mentor position

In an effort to provide additional resources to special needs families within the Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District, Reaching Heights announced plans to hire a part-time parent mentor, for which applications are currently being accepted. In this newly created position, the parent mentor will link the school and the community by providing up-to-date information and training to parents of children with special needs, and by serving as a community contact for school district personnel.

Students with special education needs have a team of educators, paraprofessionals, and other service providers who, along with their parents, provide input on each student’s individual education plan (IEP). With a better understanding of services available and the personal support of the parent mentor, parents can become more capable, competent, and confident members of their children’s education team. Adding the parent mentor will provide a strong connection between the family and the school to ensure that the needed supports are present for every child. Parent mentors receive ongoing training, resources and the added benefit of sharing best-practices with adjacent district’s mentors.

This new position is a natural fit in Reaching Heights’ mission to “foster highly valued public schools that provide ALL students with a successful education.” With close to 20% of the CH-UH student population eligible for special education services there is clearly a need to connect the individuals receiving and the individuals supporting these services.

Interested persons should submit a resume and a thoughtful cover letter outlining how their skills and experience meet the qualifications of the position to Lisa M. Hunt, assistant director of Reaching Heights, 2843 Washington Boulevard, Cleveland Heights, OH, 44118, or e-mail Lisa@Reachingheights.org. Read the job description here. Letters of interest and an accompanying resume must be received no later than Dec. 5 in order to be considered.  

In 2012, Reaching Heights began a parent-led initiative, the Exceptional Children’s Advocacy Group (ECAG). The group has worked to identify and share local resources, support parents on the journey, and work collaboratively with teachers and administrators. A parent mentor will be a natural and welcome addition to the ongoing work at Reaching Heights.

The Parent Mentor Program began in 1991, as one of several targeted parent engagement goals in Ohio Department of Education’s Special Education Action Plan. This plan was developed by over 160 parents across the state of Ohio, the Office for Exceptional Children, the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) and the Ohio Coalition for Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD). Due to their vigilant efforts, federal funds were directed from the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) dollars to ensure the Parent Mentor Program was successfully launched. Since that time, ODE, OCECD, and several school districts have benefited from the state and federal funding sources that keep the program present.

Lisa Hunt

Lisa M. Hunt is assistant director at Reaching Heights. A graduate of Cleveland State University, she holds a master's degree in Nonprofit Administration and Leadership. She is a proud mother of two CH-UH students.

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Volume 8, Issue 1, Posted 11:53 AM, 11.25.2014