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
Joy Howard is our district's Parent Mentor and brings a strong background to this position as a former healthcare worker, an active community member and parent of a child with special needs. If you need assistance in any of the above-mentioned areas, Joy can be reached by calling the office or 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."
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 6:30 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
Moving to adult healthcare
New online resource for youth young adults with disabilities, families & professionals
April 23, 2024
Virtual
10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
Moving to Adult Health Care
New Online Resources for Youth, Young Adults
with Disabilities, Families, and Professionals
Accessing Adult Health Care
Transition Resources
• Are you a teenager or adult with a disability who is
ready to move into adult health care?
• Do you need help learning how to get started moving
to adult health care?
• Are you a family member, teacher, transition
coordinator or other professional who is interested in
helping youth and young adults make the move to
adult health care?
Join Us to Learn About:
• Locating the website and new materials
• How to use the information
• Different formats to use at your own speed
• Activities to assist youth and adults
Training Dates & Times:
• Virtual
Tuesday, April 23, 2024 @ 10am-11:30am
Registration is required:
lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/mv5u6jq
• Cleveland Area
*in-person*:
Monday, April 29, 2024 @ 6:30pm – 8pm
Independence Library, 6361 Selig Dr.,
Independence, OH 44131
Registration is required:
https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/taq9g34
Additional in-person training will be offered in Columbus and
Cincinnati areas – stay tuned!
Training is free of charge, but registration is required.
Questions? Contact: Amy.Clawson@cchmc.org 513-803-2419
These training sessions are provided by Ohio Family to Family Health Information Center (Ohio F2F) in
collaboration with the Ohio Department of Developmental Disabilities (DODD)
Video
The PACTS special education program received a special message from Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson!
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Summer 2024
State Support Team Region 3 (SST3) proudly offers the 2024 Summer and Beyond Directory as a resource to parents, family members, and school district/community school personnel about extended opportunities around the Cuyahoga County area.
Each school year SST3 collaborates with local agencies, camps, and community partners around summer activities for students with disabilities.
Many of those agencies and organizations offer continued academic skill-building, and therapeutic and social-emotional supports throughout the year to assist students with disabilities in becoming independent and self-sufficient.
special events
Bedford Parks and Recreation: Adaptive Basketball League
March 13 - April 17, 2024
6 PM - 7:30 PM
Activities designed for individuals 14+ with physical, sensory or developmental disabilities. People of all abilities are welcome. Learn basketball through fun, team-oriented drills and scrimmages. All skill levels welcome. Empower Sports Programs emphasizes socialization skills, self-esteem, teamwork, discipline and most importantly, HAVING FUN!
Dates
March 13 - April 17, 2024
6 PM - 7:30 PM
Address
Bedford Parks & Recreation Ellenwood Center Gymnasium
124 Ellenwood Avenue Ellenwood Center Gymnasium
Bedford, OH 44146
Contact
Phone: 440-735-6570
Admission
Bedford Resident $15 / Non-Resident $30
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.
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.
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.
some fun & learning we've had
