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:
-
Support for families to answer questions and concerns about the special education process via in-person meetings, by email or over the phone
-
Guidance and information about the CH-UH special education program
-
Preparation, support and guidance for IEP meetings
-
Resources relating to special education within and around the CH-UH community
-
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 children 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
Exceptional Children's advocacy Group (ECAG)
Supporting Your Exceptional Learner
Tools To Support Your Exceptional Learner Workshop
January 23, 2025
6 - 8 p.m.
📚🌟 Tools to Support Your Exceptional Learner Workshop 🌟📚
Calling all parents and caregivers of exceptional learners! 🎉 Join us for an empowering workshop designed to equip you with tools to support your child’s educational journey.
✨ What to Expect:
-
Learn how to create an organizational binder to keep track of essential documents and resources.
-
Gain insights and strategies to advocate effectively for your exceptional learner.
-
Enjoy a supportive community of fellow parents.
📍 Location:
Noble Neighborhood Library
2800 Noble Road
Cleveland Heights, OH 44121
🗓 Date: Thursday, January 23, 2025
⏰ Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
👶 Supervised Activities for Children will be available, so bring your little ones along!
📌 Registration is strongly encouraged to secure your spot and help us plan for materials and activities.
We can’t wait to see you there!
💡 Let’s build brighter futures together.
Sign up now and join us for this special evening! 💖
special events
Video
The PACTS special education program received a special message from Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson!
January 27, 2025
Being a parent of a child with Autism affects every aspect of a caregiver’s life. Join Linda Cooper, MA, of Hope Behavioral Health, and Connecting for Kids for this five-part workshop aimed at empowering Black American caregivers and building community.
This free, virtual program meets on Monday evenings, from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m., starting on January 27 and meeting every other week afterward.
To register, visit connectingforkids.org/workshops
(Autism & Caregiving - Your Grief and Joy Matter) and session dates (1/27, 2/10, 2/24, 3/10, and 3/24).
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
