Parent Mentor Project
Parents of children with disabilities may sometimes feel overwhelmed as they try to understand special education policies and procedures while also trying to help the children do their best at school. In an effort to provide support and assurance to these parents, the Parent Mentor Project has been developed. In the Tri-County Special Education Association service area, Parent Mentor services are available through the Logan County Family Connection.
Meet Parent Mentor Leslie Keller.
“My name is Leslie Keller. I am a mother of two little boys. My older son receives Special Education services through West-Lincoln / Broadwell Grade School. Before I had children and became a stay at home mom, I was a caseworker for Catholic Charities. I specialized in children with behavioral, medical, and educational needs. Most of my clients received special education services, and I always attended their IEP meetings and helped with other support services they needed.”
What is a Parent Mentor?
As a parent mentor, Leslie is a resource for you and your child. She can help find services and explain what those services mean for your child. She can help you communicate with your school district, Tri-County Special Education Association or your child's teachers.
Leslie is available to assist you with your child's Individual Education Plan (IEP) in the following ways: she can go with you to your child's IEP Team meeting, help you with your child's education agenda or simply provide support during and after the meeting. In addition, she will address concerns between parents, school administrators, teachers, social workers affiliated with Tri-County Special Education Association, and other service providers. Leslie will work directly with all parties involved to help improve the relationships between the parents of a child receiving special education services and those providing the services in Logan County.
Logan County Family Connection
The goal is to promote positive relationships between families, schools and service providers to effectively meet our children's special educational needs.
The group includes parents of children with disabilities, personnel from Tri-County Special Education Association, the Academic Development Institute, school administrators, and teachers.
Leslie is a member of the Logan County Family Connection and works with council members to provide support and information to parents. The group sponsors workshops designed to assist parents to understand and develop skills that can enrich their child's education and learning process. They offer an Academic Development Institute's Champions Together course for parents and promote workshops from the Family Matters Parent Training & Information Center.
Parent Mentor Project Sponsors
The parent mentor position is one of 11 funded by a grant from the Illinois State Board of Education. Activities of the parent mentor project in this area are sponsored and supported by Tri-County Special Education Association and the Academic Development Institute.
Individuals can support the parent mentor project through participation on the Logan County Family Connection by helping with the various activities conducted by the Project. For information about volunteering, please contact Leslie Keller at 217-732-2316
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