Education: Advocates (General Audience)

Special Education advocate

Milestones Autism Resources improves the lives of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) by educating, coaching, and connecting the autism community of Northeast Ohio with evidence-based information.

Milestones focuses on educating and providing life-long, effective strategies for success at school, home, the community, and the workplace. Through the transformative power of education, Milestones is actively assisting parents, professionals, and individuals with autism on their journey and improving their outcomes.

Core services and programs:
· Annual Autism Conference with workshop track designated for parents, family members, and caregivers
· One-on-one consultations at any age, stage, and ability
· Free autism Helpdesk, open 24/7
· Vetted Online Resource Center

If you are interested in a consultation, please fill out an intake form and someone will contact you.

The Ohio Coalition for the Education of Children with Disabilities (OCECD) is a statewide nonprofit organization that serves families of infants, toddlers, children and youth with disabilities in Ohio, and agencies who provide services to them.

Multicultural specialists are available for the Hispanic/Latino communities throughout the state of Ohio.
Especialistas multiculturales están disponibles para las comunidades hispanas/latinas en todo el estado de Ohio.

Marbella Caceras, Statewide Multicultural Specialist – phone: (800)374-2806 ext. 22

Delmar Roman, Hispanic Family Advoate – (877) 396-9138
(Serves Cuyahoga, Lorain, Akron, Summit, Lake, Medina, Ashtubula)

Delma is from Puerto Rico. She covers the Northern Ohio area and serves the Hispanic/Latino families in Northern Ohio regarding information and individual assistance on their rights through trainings and advocacy skills.
Delma Roman asiste a las familias en la parte Noreste de Ohio, proporcionando entrenamientos, hablando con padres por teléfono y atendiendo a las reuniones relacionadas con la educación de sus hijos/as.

The Ohio F2F HIC can help families of children with disabilities and special health care needs navigate the health care system and find answers to their questions. Their aim is to help families become informed advoctes for their children. Services are free to all Ohio residents.

An Advocate, Consultant, & Trainer working for families who have a child(ren) with special needs for the past 20 years. She has experience in providing support, information, resources, case management, development of crisis & care plans for parents who has a child(ren) at risk or identified with a disability, for women & children in a Domestic Violence Crisis Shelter, and for Young Adults seeking/receiving Adult Services.

She also has knowledge about Individual Education Plans, 504 plans, Services Plans, Transition/Employment Plans, & Behavioral Plans.

State Support Teams provide assistance to parents and guardians navigating state and federal special education initiatives, laws and regulations. This includes referrals and guidance for resources and services for children through age 21. State Support Teams also provide assistance to parents and districts involved in potentially contentious special education issues.

Single Point of Contact – Tracy Lichtenfels
(440) 324-5777 ext. 1136

Special Education Contact – Sarah Walker
Phone: (440) 324-5777 Ext 1136

Parent and Family Contact – Jennifer Heim
Phone (440) 324-5777 Ext 1148

ELSR Contact – Jackie Plantner
Phone (440) 324-5777 ext. 1157

ELSS Contact – Nancy Osko
Phone (440) 324-5777 Ext 1118

State Support Teams provide assistance to parents and guardians navigating state and federal special education initiatives, laws and regulations. This includes referrals and guidance for resources and services for children through age 21. State Support Teams also provide assistance to parents and districts involved in potentially contentious special education issues.

They have online and in-person support opportunities for families.

SHC provides services to individuals with disabilities and their families. They are an advocate for human rights, in addition to many programs for children, adults and families.

Services include:
Camp Paradise — traditional day and residential summer camps for adults with developmental disabilities
Residential Services
The Link Day Program (social opportunities and job training for adults)
Special Olympics
In-Home Support
Ombudsman
Resource Center
Transportation Services

The Arc of Ohio has offices in several counties throughout the state. Each office offers local programming, in addition to these statewide services:

Advocacy — promotes and protects the rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities by advocating on a broad range of issues that affects lives of individuals and their family members, friends and co-workers

Assistive Technology Program — the provision of electronic equipment such as iPads, tablets, specialized screens, touch screens and software

Summer Camp — a four-week traditional day camp program for school-age children (4-22) with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Camp is held Monday through Friday at Baylor Beach Park in Navarre, OH.

Family Choice Program — FCP bridges the gap in services that some individuals and families have been experiencing through the IO and Level 1 Waivers.

Support Brokerage — assists the participant and their families in arranging for, directing, and managing SELF Waiver services. A Support Broker represents and advocates for the participant in relation to the day-to-day coordination of services and community inclusion.