MOUNT VERNON – Amanda Gibson knows firsthand the questions some parents have as they try to get help for their special-needs children.
“I had to work with school administrators from the time my son was in kindergarten until he was in seventh grade to get him tested for anxiety and ADHD (attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder),” she said. “A guidance counselor helped me.”
Gibson has been hired by the Knox Educational Service Center to work as a parent mentor, providing free peer-to-peer support to families of children with disabilities. She will work under the guidelines of Ohio’s Parent Mentor Project. A state grant will pay her salary.
“My role is to bring families, schools and agencies together to find solutions to best serve students’ needs,” she said.
In addition to the ESC’s Learning Center and preschool, Gibson will be available to mentor parents in all of the ESC’s client districts – Centerburg, Clear Fork, Danville, East Knox, Fredericktown and Mount Vernon.
A Mount Vernon High School graduate, Gibson received an associate degree in human services from Central Ohio Technical College. She is working toward a bachelor’s degree in social work at Mount Vernon Nazarene University.
The Ohio Parent Mentor Project states, “We use our firsthand experiences to work with school officials and guide families to increase the educational success of students who receive special education services.
“We help families navigate local and state special education processes and services so that children with disabilities can get the most out of their educational experience. Additionally, our training helps us provide current and updated information about special education laws and policies.”
Gibson said some parents do not understand all of the services that are available to special-needs students or how to go about securing them.
“Again, my role is to work toward what is best for children with disabilities,” she said.
Superintendent Dr. Timm Mackley said the ESC is pleased to provide Gibson’s services to its client districts.
“Certainly, schools want what is best for all students, but sometimes there can be misunderstandings or miscommunication that can leave parents of special education students with questions,” Mackley said. “Other times, parents just don’t know what services are available.
“For more than 30 years, the Ohio Parent Mentor Project has helped families understand special education processes and services so that children with disabilities can get the most out of their educational experience.”
Gibson has been visiting schools to introduce herself. She also posted information on her Facebook page and left her business card in public places.
“Sometimes I will meet with parents at an informal site, like a coffee shop, a place that makes them feel comfortable and more likely to open up about their concerns about the special-education needs of their children,” she said. “Then we will schedule a meeting with the school to discuss the best possible solutions.”
Gibson can be reached at 740-485-9295.
