Currently, over 100 parent mentors are working in 90 school districts to improve outcomes for children and youth with disabilities and their families. Funding, equal to about one-half of the mentor’s salary, is provided to the employing school district by the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) Division for Special Education Services and Supports.

Parent mentors are parents of children with disabilities who are employed by the districts to support other parents by providing information and resources to help their children succeed in school and transition from school to adult life. Parent mentors have experienced special education first hand from the time their children transitioned into special education from early learning programs to the time they graduated and transitioned to post-school environments. They have navigated the special education process including the development of Individualized Educational Programs (IEPs) and the secondary transition plans. They have searched for resources for their children to support their successes at home, at school, and in the community.

Parent mentors have received specialized training in special education and family engagement to support them in their efforts to work with other parents, teachers, administrators, and other community members. Although each parent mentor’s job description and plan of work varies according to the needs of their school systems, the main objective is to help children with disabilities become more successful at school, at home, and in the community.

Please scroll down to find your school district to connect with your parent mentor.