Parent Leadership

Parent Leaders are parents equipped to help other parents understand and navigate the educational system; assist school districts in meeting the requirements of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), formerly known as No Child Left Behind, Section 1118; the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA); and nurture collaboration among parents and educators.

The Parent & Educator Partnership supports Parent Leadership through two programs:

The Parent Liaison Program

The purpose of Parent Liaisons is to help parents of school-age children effectively navigate the educational system in partnership with school district personnel and to assist school districts with meeting the requirements of IDEA; and Title 1, Family Involvement (ESEA, Section 1118). Parent Leaders are supported by the Parent & Educator Partnership through in-kind support, however, there is no direct funding from ISBE for local development of parent liaisons.

For more information about the Parent Liaison Program, you may download a Description of the Parent Liaison Program or email us, or read more here.

The Parent Mentor Project

Parent Mentors help parents of children with disabilities, in partnership with local school district personnel, to effectively navigate the educational system.

Each local parent mentor grant site is a collaboration among agencies, such as, school districts or special education cooperatives and not-for-profit parent or disability groups. Through grant funding, each local team employs one or more parents of children with disabilities as Parent Mentors. At this time, the grant funding is committed, so there are no new grant funds available. If you would like to start a parent mentor program locally, as a volunteer within your school district, we have created the Parent Liaison program.

For more information about the Parent Leadership Program, you may download a brochure or email us.