Founder & Director — Michigan Autism Academy Staff & Occupational Training Center (SAOT)
Special Education Advocate | Professional Life Coach | Parent Instructor | Licensed Training Provider 

Pennie Ohia is the Founder and Director of Michigan Autism Academy Staff & Occupational Training Center (SAOT), a Michigan-based organization providing direct care workforce training, medication administration instruction, CPR and First Aid certification, and special education advocacy services. She is a licensed American Red Cross Training Provider who supports individuals, families, and organizations across Michigan through professional training and advocacy services.

With more than fifteen years of hands-on experience supporting children and adults with developmental disabilities, behavioral challenges, and communication needs, Pennie brings practical knowledge and real-world expertise to her work. Her background combines direct service experience, workforce training, and family-centered advocacy, allowing her to guide both professionals and parents through complex support systems.

Her journey began with her own family’s struggle navigating special education, which first opened her eyes to gaps in services and the need for stronger family support. That early experience became the foundation of her lifelong commitment to advocacy, training, and community empowerment.

In 2011, motivated by her grandson’s challenges and the lack of appropriate support services in the community, Pennie founded Michigan Autism Academy. What began as a personal mission quickly evolved into a program that provided structure, support, staffing, and meaningful assistance to families who felt overlooked by the system.

By 2014, she expanded the academy by establishing a staffing agency component and serving as Program Director, coordinating caregivers and supporting families across Wayne County. In that role, she secured contracts with Community Living Services, Inc. and the Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority (now known as the Detroit Wayne Integrated Health Network). Her work focused on providing community-based support for children and adults with developmental disabilities and mental illness, ensuring they received the services and care they were legally entitled to.

Alongside her program leadership, Pennie became a respected trainer in Michigan and has been delivering instruction for direct care workers, foster care staff, respite providers, and community professionals since 2011. Her courses emphasize the rights and equality of people with disabilities, managing challenging behaviors, health and safety practices, building natural supports, professional ethics, and person-centered care. Her training programs are recognized by the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO). Her teaching style is structured, practical, and grounded in real-world situations, reflecting her years of direct service in homes and community environments.

In 2024, Pennie began receiving an increased number of inquiries from parents seeking help with evaluations, IEP processes, school communication, and understanding their educational rights. Many families, particularly within Detroit Public Schools Community District (DPSCD), expressed uncertainty about how to navigate the special education system effectively. These conversations highlighted the need for clear, informed advocacy support and inspired Pennie to further expand her work.

Drawing on more than fourteen years of personal advocacy experience, she began providing coaching and guidance to parents, helping them understand their rights and effectively support their children in school settings. The increasing demand made it clear that the community needed a strong, knowledgeable voice, and it was during this time that Pennie stepped further into formal advocacy work.

To strengthen her professional foundation, Pennie completed The Arc@School’s Advocacy Curriculum for Non-Attorney Special Education Advocates, earning a certificate of completion, and obtained a Professional Life Coach Certification through Udemy. She is also listed as a Parent Instructor with the National Parent Instructor Association in the state of Michigan, expanding her reach and reinforcing the work she had already been doing for years.

Through her advocacy program, CalmStart, Pennie now supports families across Wayne County in navigating evaluations, IEP development, compensatory services, communication challenges, and compliance with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Her first CalmStart case success in 2025 came in June, when she and a parent filed a formal complaint with the Michigan Department of Education’s Office of Special Education. The investigation resulted in corrective action against DPSCD and prompted the district to review similar issues affecting other students. This outcome reinforced the strength of her calm, parent-centered advocacy approach.

Today, Pennie continues her work as a Special Education Advocate, Licensed Training Provider, Parent Instructor, and Professional Life Coach. She remains committed to empowering families, strengthening care providers, and ensuring that every child receives the support and opportunities they deserve. Her work is grounded in compassion, experience, and a deep understanding of what families face behind the scenes, making her a trusted guide for parents and professionals navigating complex support systems.