Boardman Schools Names Jenkins Parent Mentor

BOARDMAN, Ohio — Ariel Jenkins has been named the parent mentor, a newly created position, for the Boardman Local Schools. Her job is to provide free support and resources to Spartan families of children with disabilities.  

“Mrs. Jenkins is energetic and smart, with a great sense of humor and more than anything, a great empathy and understanding that our families are sure to appreciate,” says student services director Katie Fallo.  

The parent mentor position was in the works well before Covid-19 shut down Boardman school buildings along with all schools across Ohio. The district was awarded a $25,000 grant in February from the Ohio Department of Education to pay for the part-time position — the only district in the Mahoning Valley to receive this type of grant.
There are more than 700 children with disabilities enrolled in Boardman Local schools, according to Fallo. 
 
“The Department of Student Services and the district are extremely grateful to have Mrs. Jenkins as a resource during these uncertain times. She has already hit the ground running by reaching out to families not only about special education facilitation, but to also assess what community resources might be needed during the mandated closure,” says Fallo.

“I am thankful for the opportunity and the ability to provide support for our district families,” Jenkins says. “Being a parent of children within the district, I am excited for the development and progression of the parent mentor program right here in our community.” said Jenkins.

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