Mar. 15, 2024 -- “I just want them to know they’re not alone.” That is the driving message that Joy Howard, Parent Mentor for the Exceptional Children’s Advocacy Group, wants to send to parents and guardians of students with Individualized Education Programs and 504s.

As an employee of Reaching Heights in collaboration with the district, Howard is available as a free resource to the families of students receiving special education services within the CH-UH schools. She can attend IEP meetings as an advocate, helping to explain laws and procedures to families who want assistance. She also hosts information sessions for parents and staff and provides information on federal, state and local special education laws and policies.

“It can be very lonely,” says Howard, of the experience of parenting a child with special needs. “And you don’t know what you don’t know.” But she actually does know. As the parent of five children who all had IEPs for different reasons, “my experience is very diverse.”

Howard is available to anyone at any point in the process, from a newly diagnosed student to a parent trying to figure out what happens after high school graduation. She has connections to countless resources, hosts workshops, and provides guidance to families of children from pre-kindergarten to age 22. She also coordinates representatives at each school building so parents have someone on the ground they can connect with.

Her goals are many: To help children thrive, to educate district staff on the latest laws and policies, to help exceptional children integrate more fully into their schools, to keep families in the district receiving the care they need and deserve. “I am a neutral party,” she says of her role as an advocate, “working for and with the district and for and with families.”

Any parent with a question or just wanting to talk to someone who’s been there can reach out to Howard at [email protected] or (216) 236-3616.