Welcome to the Parent Mentor Page!
My name is Stacey Hartwig and I am the Parent Mentor for Coventry Local School District. I have lived in district for 14 years and I have 3 sons that attend Coventry Schools. As a parent of multiple children with disabilities, I can help you with my knowledge of how the special education system works and with firsthand knowledge of parenting a child with special needs.
I am here to listen and provide support to all families that receive special services. I am also available to attend IEP or other meeting with parents and educational staff as needed. My goal is to facilitate positive parent/professional relationships within Coventry Schools. Please note that I work part-time, if you are unable to reach me please leave a message or send me an email and I will get back to you ASAP. See below for a more detailed description of the Ohio Parent Mentor Project.
Stacey Hartwig
Definition
A Parent Mentor is the parent of a child with a disability employed by the local education agency to help school districts and families by providing training, support, and information services.
Vision Statement
Districts have a responsibility to develop, support and implement a system of education services for all students.
The Parent Mentor Program is based on the assumption that students with disabilities will be ensured an appropriate and meaningful education if parents and educators can communicate effectively and operationalize the partnership planning required by Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
Districts choose to implement the Parent Mentor Program to promote this necessary and effective communication by providing information and support to families about special education issues and by providing a mechanism to convey the family perspective back to the system.
Mission Statement
The mission of Ohio Parent Mentors is to provide the necessary support and resources to families of children with disabilities and the professionals who serve them.
No Cost For Services
Ohio Parent Mentor projects are funded through grants from the Ohio Department of Education (ODE). All Parent Mentor services are provided to families free of charge.
Program Services
- Guide families through the special education process, including rights and responsibilities.
- Listen and provide support to families and educators on an individual basis.
- Provide information and resources to families and school personnel including education laws, district programs and services, and community resources.
- Attend Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings and other meetings at parent or staff request.
- Organize and conduct information sessions or workshops based on the needs of families and professionals.
- Build collaborative partnerships between families, schools and committees to benefit students with disabilities.