Ohio’s Parent Mentor Project

In Ohio, Parent Mentors help families understand special education and partner with their school to get the support they need to succeed. Parent Mentors are parents themselves—family members of children with disabilities—who use their lived experience, training, and knowledge to guide other families through the special education process.

Parent Mentors work closely with families, schools, and community agencies to build strong partnerships that help students with disabilities thrive. Their goal is to make sure families feel confident, informed, and supported every step of the way.

Today, there are about 100 Parent Mentor Projects across Ohio, serving more than one-third of the state’s school districts. Every Parent Mentor is trained to support families by answering questions, attending school meetings, and helping parents become strong advocates for their children.

All services provided by the Parent Mentor Project are free of charge to families.

Click the buttons below to find a Parent Mentor in your area and learn more about the project.