Exceptional Children's Advocacy Group (ECAG)
Navigating the special education system can often feel overwhelming. Parents who have children with exceptional needs can rely on unbiased assistance, which can make a huge difference along the educational journey. Reaching Heights, in partnership with the CH-UH school district, provides the following services to families with special needs students throughout the year:
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
Amy Kerr-Jung is our district's Parent Mentor and brings a strong background to this position as a former educator, a public sector researcher, an active community member and parent of a child with special needs. If you need assistance in any of the above mentioned areas, Amy can be reached by calling the office or by email at amy@reachingheights.org
"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."
Contact Joy at joy@reachingheights.com or (216) 236-3616
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 monthly meetings held most 3rd Mondays of the month from 6:30 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. Zoom link is always: https://bit.ly/ECAGCHUH
events
sexual health & hygiene
Feb 27, 2023, 6pm - 7:00 pm
Sexual health is part of the human experience, yet it is often ignored, especially regarding students with disabilities. Sexual health education for people with disabilities is important to help and ensure the capacity of each individual to make informed and educated choices regarding personal safety, developing and maintaining healthy relationships, and understanding how to maintain sexual health and hygiene. The application of self-determination skills plays an integral role in the ability of students with disabilities to attain sexual health.
This workshop emphasizes strategies to respect individuals with disabilities autonomy; reduce risk of sexual violence, abuse, exploitation and coercion; promote safer sex practices; and foster the development of healthy sexuality regardless of physical, cognitive or socioemotional limitations.
Join us virtually January 23, 2023 for this very important discussion.
Date: Monday, February 27, 2023
Location: Zoom Meeting
Time: 6 PM-7:00 PM
Zoom Link:
announcements
Group Coffee Talk
What do you need, what do you want?
Share your ideas with CH-UH Parent Mentor to best help support our exceptional students.
Friday, Feb 24, 2023, 6 pm - 7 pm
Location:
Panera Bread
13901 Cedar Road
South Euclid, OH 44118
Video
The PACTS special education program received a special message from Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson!
Wednsday, Mar 1, 2023
6 pm - 8 pm
The Eastern Cuyahoga County Resource Fair is now less than one month away! This is our first time taking a resource fair to the eastside and we couldn't be more excited with the response we've seen from our eastside providers (almost 70 and counting!)
Whether you prefer to meet the providers in person or drive up to receive a tote filled with fliers from all our participants, you're sure to find something new for your family at the fair. Plus when you register now and attend the in-person fair, you could win a $100 Visa gift card!
For details and preregistration, visit connectingforkids.org/east-cuyahoga-fair
ID: Social media flier for the Eastern Cuyahoga County Resource Fair, indicating that the fair takes place on March 1 from 6-8:00 p.m. at the Tri-C Eastern Campus in Highland Hills. The event focuses on programs and services for families with children between the ages of 0-22. The flier also includes logos of the fair's platinum sponsors, Bright Futures Therapeutic Services, LLC, New Heights ABA, Cuyahoga Community College, and State Support Team - Region 3.
resources
CH-UH school district special education information
Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities
Cuyahoga Board of Health Provide direction, support, and coordination in preventing, preparing for, and responding to events that threaten the public's health.
Milestones Autism Resource Toolkits for diagnosis, behavior, and much more.
Redtreehouse.org Supporting the well-being of Ohio's families and children with challenges, disabilities, and health care needs.
CH-UH School COVID-19 Information
Local Pantry and Crisis Contact List
ECAG and Parent Mentoring programming are generously supported through CH-UH Schools' IDEA funding.