Ohio Higher Education Partnership Project, September 1997 through August 2001. Final Report

This final report describes the activities and outcomes of the Ohio Higher Education Partnership Project (OHEPP), a federally funded project designed to develop a model for promoting greater levels of participation within institutions of higher education by parents of children with disabilities. OHEPP has the following three objectives: (1) to develop and support parent-faculty "teams" throughout the state; (2) to provide financial support for parent involvement; and (3) to develop a strategic plan for ongoing financial support for parent participation in higher education in Ohio. OHEPP developed an instructional model that included the following components: (a) developing parent skills and understanding of higher education; (b) promoting access to and financial support of parents; and (c) increasing faculty receptiveness to parent-participation. The project resulted in an increase in the number of parents involved in higher education and an increase in the number and types of courses in which parents were involved. In addition, the role of parents on instructional teams in higher education expanded. Finally, students demonstrated a change in the way they viewed the role of parents of children with disabilities in higher education. The training activities included workshops and retreats. The parent activities were consistent with recommended practices for personnel preparation as instructors, mentors and supervisors. In summary, the project trained many parents in many roles on parent-faculty teams, and it helped meet the need to train practitioners in the principles of family-centered care for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families. Includes references, a short videotape, and two powerpoint presentations. (Author/SG)