Target Audience: Families of students with hearing loss
This free event includes:
ASK Resources
Networking with other families
Discuss effects of hearing loss on your child's education
Ice Cream!
Date: April 23, 2026
Time: 6:30 - 7:30 pm
Location: ESC of Lorain County
Facilitators: ESC Audiologists
Registration Assistance: Pam Sykes, sykes@esclc.org or 440.324.5777 x1100
Target Audience: OTs, COTAs, PTs, PTAs
his spring, join us for an OT/PT professional development session led by Nicole Dearth, focused on supporting student participation and success in the school setting. This training emphasizes practical, evidence-informed strategies that connect evaluation findings to functional, educationally relevant interventions. Nicole brings a collaborative, school-based perspective, highlighting how occupational and physical therapists can support access to the curriculum, classroom routines, and daily school activities through effective goal writing, intervention planning, and collaboration with educational teams. Participants will leave with tools and strategies that can be immediately implemented to support students’ independence, engagement, and overall school performance.
Date: April 30, 2026
Time: 9:00 - 3:00
Location: ESC of Lorain County
Presenter: Nichole Dearth MOT, OTR/L, Midwest Regional ESC Occupational Therapist
Event Fee: Free
Registration Assistance: Pam Sykes, sykes@esclc.org or 440.324.5777 x1100
Target Audience: Intervention Specialists, Transition Coordinators, Special Education Directors, School Counselors, High School Teachers, and anyone that works with students with disabilities who want to go to college
The transition from high school is challenging for any high school student. For students with disabilities, it also presents a disability services system that is very different from the one they knew in high school, but with the proper preparation, students can enjoy success! Elizabeth C. Hamblet, college learning disabilities specialist and author of Seven Steps to College Success: A Pathway for Students with Disabilities, explains the shift in relevant laws as students move to college, how the system for accommodations works there, what is commonly available and - importantly what isn't, and some tips for how to help students find the right level of support.
Date: Feb. 26, 2026
Time: 9:00 - 11:00
Location: Virtual via Zoom
Speaker: Elizabeth C. Hamblet
Event Fee: Member District*-$25 | Non-Member Districts - $50
*Member Districts: Amherst, Avon, Avon Lake, Bellevue, Clearview, Columbia, Elyria, Horizon Science Academy, Lorain, Margaretta, Midview, New London, North Ridgeville, Norwalk, Oberlin, Perkins, Sheffield- Sheffield-Lake, South Central, Wellington
Registration Assistance: Pam Sykes, sykes@esclc.org or 440.324.5777 x1100
Target Audience: Any parent, guardian, student, or district that is interested in learning more about Project Search
This event will allow families and districts to get to know what Project Search is and how it can be a great place for students to prepare for the competitive workforce after High School. Families and districts can ask questions they may have about internships, how to apply and who is the ideal applicant.
Date: Jan 20, 2026
Time: 5:00 - 6:00 pm
Location: Virtual via Zoom
Facilitators: Kaylee Ammar and Danielle Holztrager
Event Fee: Free
Registration Assistance: Debbie Shannon, shannon@esclc.org or 440.324.5777 x1112
Target Audience: School Psychologists, Licensed Behavioral Health Clinicians, School Administrators
Confidentiality in school psychology practice reflects a complex intersection of multiple federal statutes,
state occupational licensure requirements, and ethical demands. School psychologists oftentimes have to
navigate these challenging expectations while also simultaneously navigating multiple systems.
Attendees will learn about salient areas of confidentiality across IDEIA, HIPAA, FERPA, Ohio’s Operating
Standards, and how these and many more influence our roles and function.
Date: Feb. 13, 2026
Time: 9:00 - 11:00
Location: Zoom
Speaker: Erich Merkle, PhD, EdS, NCSP
Event Fee: Lorain County, Huron County, Eric County - Free | All Others - $50.00
Registration Assistance: Pam Sykes, sykes@esclc.org or 440.324.5777 x1100
Target Audience: Special Education, Literacy Specialists, Administrators, and those who work with students requiring reading interventions.
This in-person training will address practical considerations and challenges associated with implementing Science of Reading interventions ("best practices") within an MTSS framework, TGRG requirements, Special education requirements, and in alignment with Ohio Dyslexia Guidebook requirements. We will go beyond a simple understanding of these provisions to address implementation strategies, systems integrations (MTSS, RIMPs, Special Education, and SoR requirements), practical advice, and anticipated challenges that Districts may face with the process of implementing the assessment, reporting, intervention and training requirements inherent in these processes.
Date: Feb. 2, 2026
Time: 8:30 - 3:30
Location: ESC of Lorain County
Speakers: Kerry M. Agins, Esq. on behalf of Agins & Gilman, LLC
Event Fee: Member District*- $50 | Non-Member Districts - $100
*Member Districts: Amherst, Avon, Avon Lake, Bellevue, Clearview, Columbia, Elyria, Horizon Science Academy, Lorain, Margaretta, Midview, New London, North Ridgeville, Norwalk, Oberlin, Perkins, Sheffield- Sheffield-Lake, South Central, Wellington
Registration Assistance: Pam Sykes, sykes@esclc.org or 440.324.5777 x1100
Target Audience: Speech-Language Pathologists
This spring, join us for an engaging and practical SLP training led by Michelle Richards, an experienced clinician and sought-after speaker in myofunctional therapy. Michelle’s MYO training goes beyond traditional speech-language therapy by examining how a client’s anatomy and physiology influence how they eat, breathe, speak, and sleep—and how these functions impact overall medical and dental health. She brings together a passion for learning and teaching with real-world experience as both a clinician and a mom, helping clients move beyond compensation to achieve meaningful, lasting improvement. Michelle is especially known for her work with “complex” cases, where she demonstrates the powerful, life-changing impact of myofunctional therapy.
Date: May 1, 2026
Time: 9:00 - 3:00
Location: ESC of Lorain County
Presenter: Michelle Richards
Event Fee: Member District*- $25.00 | Non-Member Districts - $50.00
*Member Districts: Amherst, Avon, Avon Lake, Bellevue, Clearview, Columbia, Elyria, Horizon Science Academy, Lorain, Margaretta, Midview, New London, North Ridgeville, Norwalk, Oberlin, Perkins, Sheffield- Sheffield-Lake, South Central, Wellington
Registration Assistance: Pam Sykes, sykes@esclc.org or 440.324.5777 x1100
Target Audience: Speech-Language Pathologists
This professional development opportunity is designed to equip Speech-Language Pathologists with the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to effectively serve bilingual communicators across diverse linguistic and cultural contexts. Participants will deepen their understanding of bilingual language development, differentiation between language difference and disorder, and culturally responsive assessment and intervention practices. Through evidence-based strategies, real-world case examples, and practical tools, SLPs will learn how to support bilingual students. This training emphasizes ethical decision-making, family collaboration, and strengths-based approaches, empowering clinicians to deliver equitable, high-quality services to bilingual individuals in educational settings.
Date: Feb. 24, 2026
Time: 9:00 - 3:00
Location: ESC of Lorain County
Speaker: Cassandra Guarneros Rosile, M.S., CCC-SLP
Event Fee: Member District*- $35 | Non-Member Districts - $55
*Member Districts: Amherst, Avon, Avon Lake, Bellevue, Clearview, Columbia, Elyria, Horizon Science Academy, Lorain, Margaretta, Midview, New London, North Ridgeville, Norwalk, Oberlin, Perkins, Sheffield- Sheffield-Lake, South Central, Wellington
Registration Assistance: Pam Sykes, sykes@esclc.org or 440.324.5777 x1100
Target Audience: Related service providers (e.g., speech-language pathologists, occupational therapists, physical therapists, etc.), as well as general education teachers, intervention specialists, school psychologists, and administrators are welcome.
Join us for a blizzard of knowledge as we welcome our Ohio Department of Education & Workforce Regional Consultants once again for a full-day session focused on IEP and ETR compliance—specially tailored for Related Service Providers!
This Winter-themed professional development will chill you out about compliant, well-written documents that meet both student needs and state expectations. From understanding your role in the ETR process to crafting measurable, meaningful goals in the IEP, you’ll leave with a snow globe full of practical tools, clarified guidance, and renewed confidence in your documentation practices.
Come ready to shovel up best practices, build time for collaboration, and gather helpful tips that make compliance a little more satisfying!
Date: Jan 29, 2026
Time: 9:00 - 3:00
Location: ESC of Lorain County
Facilitators: Kimberly Altobelli, Ed.S., School Psychology Consultant and Kristy Hopkinson, MA, CCC-SLP, Speech-Language Pathology Consultant
Event Fee: Member District*- FREE | Non-Member Districts - $25
*Member Districts: Amherst, Avon, Avon Lake, Bellevue, Clearview, Columbia, Elyria, Horizon Science Academy, Lorain, Margaretta, Midview, New London, North Ridgeville, Norwalk, Oberlin, Perkins, Sheffield- Sheffield-Lake, South Central, Wellington
Registration Assistance: Pam Sykes, sykes@esclc.org or 440.324.5777 x1100
NETWORK DATES: Jan 14 - Avon Library, Jan 15 - Avon Library, Jan 23 - EHOVE
(registration is required for dates you plan to attend by clicking the date links)
OCALI, SST, OOD & DD Present:
Transition planning is the bridge between school and adult life for students with disabilities. Backwards planning ensures that this bridge is strong and purposeful. By starting with each student’s postsecondary goals—employment, education, and independent living—we can intentionally map out the skills, supports, and experiences they need now to reach those goals later. When teams use backwards planning, every IEP becomes a roadmap for real-life success, not just compliance. It’s about preparing students today for the lives they want tomorrow.
We’ve offered three different dates to accommodate schedules, as we understand it can be difficult to send your entire team at once. Your Intervention Specialists are an integral part of daily student success and substitutes can be difficult to secure.
Additional coaching sessions can be requested by the SST to help with your backwards planning after attending this event.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
1. Transition Backwards Planning for Students with Disabilities
2. Creating postsecondary goals and Transition Activities
3. Agency Collaboration
4. Work time to start your backwards planning with OCALI and SST assistance
Date: Jan 14, 2026
Time: 9:00 - 3:00
Location: Avon Library, 37485 Harvest Drive, Avon
Facilitator: Melissa Wagner
Registration Assistance: Debbie Shannon - shannon@esclc.org or 440.324.5777 x1112