Parent Mentor Program
The Parent Mentor Program was begun in 2002 by the Georgia Department of Education Division of Special Education Services and Supports. Parent Mentors are professional staff members of the school system who know first-hand the triumphs and disappointments of raising a child with learning, emotional and or physical challenges.
Parent Mentors help build the bridge between families and educators to provide insight into one another’s worlds. Along with assisting parents on a day to day basis in areas such as respite care, Katie Becket Waiver, medical equipment, and Family Support Funding, parent mentors collaborate with special education directors and staff in developing parent friendly programs. Mentors also participate on local school system teams to improve educational outcomes for students with disability.
Parent Mentor Activities for 2007 - 2008
- Preschool meetings are held every other month with preschoolers transitioning from Babies Can’t Wait to the Hall County School System. Informational packets are given to each parent about the parent mentor program. A presentation is given about the IEP process and how parents can help with a smooth transition to preschool. Additional information about community and state resources are also included in the packets.
- Coordinate the PIN (Parent Information Network) Support group for parents of children with disabilities which meet monthly at the Lanier Career Academy. Future meeting dates and topics include January 22nd the disability resource canter will be coming to talk about services that they offer to the disability community. February 26th To Be Announced, March 26th Probate Court will be discussing guardianship. April 22nd summer activities, camps and how to fund them will be discussed.
- Helped with organizing the Gainesville-Hall County Interagency Transition Council. This Transition Council will provide information to parent’s teachers and the community about transition issues for students with disabilities from school to adult life.
- Work with Partnership for Success Grant funded by The Governors Council on Developmental Disabilities.
Activities of the Grant include:
Partners clubs in each high school
Teaching of self-determination in classrooms
Portfolio building
Person Centered Planning
- Support Parents as needed by phone or in person.
