Exceptional Children's Advocacy Group (ECAG)

In today’s fast-changing world, navigating the special education system and accessing the right support can feel overwhelming. The Exceptional Children's Advocacy Group (ECAG) is here to help. We provide a strong, inclusive community where parents, caregivers, and self-advocates of all ages can find guidance, connection, and empowerment. Through educational workshops, advocacy, and both virtual and in-person events, we address the real issues families face—ensuring individuals with exceptional needs have access to the resources, opportunities, and support they deserve. Together, we are stronger, more informed, and better equipped to create lasting change.
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Parent Mentor Services
Joy Howard:
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Support for families to answer questions and concerns about the special education process via in-person meetings, by email or over the phone
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Guidance and information about the CH-UH special education program
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Preparation, support and guidance for IEP meetings
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Resources relating to special education within and around the CH-UH community
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Host and promote community engagement events, workshops and special events
Joy Howard serves as our district’s Parent Mentor, bringing a wealth of experience and dedication to supporting families of individuals with exceptional needs. As a healthcare worker, active community advocate, and parent of children with exceptional needs, Joy understands the challenges families face and is committed to providing guidance, resources, and empowerment. She offers compassionate support to help parents and caregivers navigate the special education system, access services, and advocate for their loved ones.
For assistance, Joy can be reached by email at joy@reachingheights.org or by phone at (216) 236-3616.
"As a mother of a child with an IEP, I know how discouraging the process can feel sometimes and how truly amazing our children are. My goal is to help families build strong toolkits so they can be their children's best and strongest advocates."
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ECAG Events & Resources
As Cleveland Heights-University Heights parents/caregivers of those living with disabilities, we believe ALL children deserve the right to learn and thrive in proactive, integrated and rigorous learning environments in a community that provides opportunities, education and collaboration to help them live up to their full potential.
We warmly invite everyone to join us for our parent support group meetings held every other month on the 3rd Mondays of the month from 6:00 pm-7:30 pm, unless special programs are happening that month. Meet other parents who share similar life experiences raising special needs children and have navigated the myriad of choices that must be made to support their children. In addition to providing support, the group also addresses specific needs parents may have by connecting them to the resources and training they need. It is also during these monthly meetings that we plan collaborative events with the school district in an effort to improve its special education program. Meetings are currently virtual and in-person Zoom link is always: https://bit.ly/ECAGCHUH


Surviving the holidays
& Sustaining the Soul
Monday, December 15, 2025
6 p.m. -7:30 p.m.
Virtual Meeting
A Community Circle for Neurodivergent Families
The holiday season brings joy, celebration, and connection, but it can also bring sensory overwhelm, disrupted routines, and emotional exhaustion for neurodivergent children and their caregivers.
You don’t have to navigate it alone.
Monday, December 15, 2025
6.00 PM to 7.30 PM
Virtual via Teams
Meeting Link: https://bit.ly/holidayz2025
Join us for a warm, supportive community circle where families can share experiences, gather practical tools, and prepare for winter break with confidence and calm.
We’ll Explore:
Predictable but flexible routines for school break
Sensory and emotional supports for high-energy holiday moments
Strategies for navigating family gatherings
Neuro-inclusive activity ideas for long winter days
Grounding practices to sustain the caregiver’s spirit
This is not a lecture, it is a shared space for reflection, conversation, and connection.
A space that honors your lived experience.
A space where you and your child are seen.
Who’s Invited:
• Caregivers and guardians
• Families supporting neurodivergent children
• Educators and community partners
• Anyone preparing for the winter break season
Hosted by the Exceptional Children’s Advocacy Group ECAG, committed to strengthening families and supporting students of all abilities.
You deserve a peaceful season. Come be part of the circle.
special events

Video
The PACTS special education program received a special message from Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson!
Every 3rd Saturday
of the Month
Sensory-Friendly Saturday events offer adaptations to meet diverse sensory-processing needs every third Saturday of each month from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m.
Guests on the autism spectrum, people experiencing dementia, and those of all ages who have intellectual or developmental disabilities are invited to participate in a calming museum experience with less stimulation in a section of the museum’s galleries before they open to the public—reducing crowds, noise, and distractions.
Guests can explore the galleries at their own pace, relax in the designated “calming corner,” and share this time and space with open-minded members of the community.
Sensory-Friendly Saturday events are free. Parking in the CMA garage is $14 for nonmembers and $7 for members.

resources
CH-UH school district special education information
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Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities
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Cuyahoga Board of Health Provide direction, support, and coordination in preventing, preparing for, and responding to events that threaten the public's health.
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Milestones Autism Resource Toolkits for diagnosis, behavior, and much more.
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MetroHealth School Based Health Care Enrollment
The MetroHealth Institute for H.O.P.E. School Health Program is partnering with CH-UH to offer health care services on-site at your child’s school. Your child will now have easier medical service access during the school day.
Redtreehouse.org Supporting the well-being of Ohio's families and children with challenges, disabilities, and health care needs.
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CH-UH School COVID-19 Information
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Local Pantry and Crisis Contact List
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ECAG and Parent Mentoring programming are generously supported through CH-UH Schools' IDEA funding.
some fun & learning we've had






















