Current Community Projects:
Project Lifesaver (January 2009-present). Currently in the initial stage (secure funding stream, locate interested agencies, draft proposals) of creating a system to locate missing persons with disabilities when reported missing and developing a pilot program through Project Lifesaver. Working in conjunction with the Berks County Sheriff’s Office and the Berks County MH/MR Office to implement the program county wide.
ProjectLifesaver International:
http://www.projectlifesaver.orgChild and Adolescent Service System Program (CASSP): Advisory Committee Member (January 2007- present). CASSP helps children, adolescents and their families gain access to needed services. These services are planned collaboratively with the child/adolescent, their family, the child serving systems and other agencies.
CASSP:
http://www.co.berks.pa.us/berks/cwp/view.asp?a=1159&q=443159AUTISMLINK- Mentor (2005- present).
Autismlink:
http://www.autismlink.com
Past Community Projects:
Autism Society Berks County- (2003- present): Volunteer 2003-2005, Member of The Board of Directors 2004-2005. The Autism Society of Berks County is a registered chapter of the Autism Society of America. Founded in June of 2000 and are an all-volunteer organization. We are made up of parents and family members of individuals affected by an autism spectrum disorder, as well as professionals working in the field.
Autism Society of Berks County:
http://www.autismsocietyofberks.orgPennsylvania Autism Task Force (ATF)-Family and Social Issues Subcommittee (July 2003- December 2004) The Autism Task Force was formed in July 2003 by Estelle B. Richman, Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare (DWP). Secretary Richman assigned State Representative Dennis O'Brien, as an Honorary Chair; and Administering Co-chairs: Dr. Nancy Minshew, Dr. David Mandell and Ms. Nina Cote, MSS, LSW. The committee, along with 250 people developed a plan for a new system for individuals living with autism and their families that would make Pennsylvania a national model of excellence in autism service delivery. The Task Force was divided into twelve subcommittees, each of which focused on current practices, problems and potential solutions. The final report was developed December 2004.
Bureau of Autism Services:
http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/ServicesPrograms/Autism/TaskForceHealth Choices: Advisory Board Member (January 2007-January 2009). The HealthChoices Advisory Board is the formal avenue for stakeholder involvement in the HealthChoices program. The duties of the HealthChoices Advisory Board are: To provide Behavioral HealthChoices program oversight and to make recommendations for quality improvement to the Operations Committee; to insure that each of the stakeholder committees has input into its respective area of quality improvement; to be the formal avenue for communication of concerns from the stakeholder committees to the Operations Committee; and to identify and review such reports as are necessary to assess the overall quality and utilization management of the Behavioral HealthChoices program.
Health Choices:
http://www.co.berks.pa.us/berks/lib/berks/BK_Annual_Rpt_0607_Rev_2_09_WEB.pdfPennsylvania Department of Education, Bureau of Special Education: Compliance Monitoring System, Peer Monitor (July 2007- September 2008). Certified by the Pa Department of Education; Bureau of Special Education to complete Cyclical Compliance Monitoring for the state at all school districts in Pennsylvania. Cyclical Compliance Monitoring is conducted at selected school districts yearly in order to verify compliance of IDEA by conducting on-site reviews of documentation of district special education files.
Organization Memberships:
The Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA)
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Autism Society of Berks County
Autism Society of Berks County:
http://www.autismsocietyofberks.org
Professional Development:
Professional Development; Workshops/Conferences:
- PA Developmental Disabilities Council Grantee Meeting
(March 2009) - A Journey Through Special Education presented by CPARC
(March 2009) - Legal Advocacy as a tool for Social Change presented by The Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania
(March 2009) - Autism In Berks County, A Symposium and Resource Fair for our Community featuring Stephen Shore
(March 2009) - Connecting for Success, Transition Expo by Berks County Transition Coordination Council
(March 2009) - New Regulations IDEA July 2008 presented by the Education Law Center
(January 2009) - PASA Training presented by PaTTan
(January 2009) - PSSA Training presented by PaTTan
(January 2009) - Assistive Technology Expo presented by PaTTan
(November 2008) - CASSP Conference, “Transitions- Helping Youth Transition to Adult Services”
(November 2008) - Play and Learn Day presented by BCIU
(October 2008) - Advocate Meeting at The Arc of Chester County
(September 2008) - Functional Behavior Assessment and Behavior Planning for Young Children presented by PaTTan
(September 2008) - National Autism Conference presented by PA Department of Education
(August 2008) - Introduction to Teaching Verbal Behavior presented by Establishing Operations, Inc. Conducted by Holly Kibbe M.S., BCBA and Jennifer Donnelly, B.A., BCABA, MADS candidate
(July 2008) - New Changes to IDEA presented by the Education Law Center
(June 2008) - Autism Society Annual Conference
(April 2008) - Enhance Communication and Problem Solving presented by Suzanne McDougall, Consulting Supervisor, Office of Dispute Resolution; sponsored by North Penn Special Education Council
(March 2008) - A Journey Through Special Education presented by CPARC
(March 2008) - Pennsylvania Department of Education 2008 Annual Conference: Indicators for Success: Improvement, Performance, and Results
(February 2008) - Teaching Children with Disabilities to Read: Legal Tools and Learning Strategies, ELC Buddies Training presented by Education Law Center
(January 2008) - Special Education Law and Advocacy presented by Wrightslaw
(October 2007) - The ABC’s of IEP’s “Writing Effective Goals” presented by PaTTan and The Arc of Pennsylvania
(September 2007) - National Autism Conference presented by PA Department of Education
(August 2007) - Inclusion Conference presented by BCIU
(April 2007) - Pennsylvania Department of Education 2007 Annual Conference: Effective Interventions: Meeting the Needs of All Students
(March 2007) - A Journey Through Special Education presented by CPARC
(March 2007) - 8Th Annual Medical School- Mood Disorders in Children and Adolescents presented by Leonora Petty, MD in conjunction with Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
(March 2007) - Connecting for Success: A Transition expo preparing students and parents for the future sponsored by The Berks County Transition Coordinating Council
(March 2007) - Special Education- A Practical Overview for Families presented by McAndrews Law Firm
(March 2007) - Your Child’s Evaluation presented by Nancy Bloomfield, PhD, sponsored by The Arc of Chester County
(March 2007) - Educational Aftercare and Reintegration Training for Juvenile Justice Professionals presented by the Education Law Center
(January 2007) - Restructuring for Caring and Effective Education: The Inclusive School presented by Dr. Richard A. Villa
(November 2006) - The 2006 IDEA Regulations: Implementing the Law for Individuals with Disabilities sponsored by BCIU
(October 2006) - Advocacy Workshop presented by Candace Cortiella Learning Disabilities Association of Pa
(April 2006) - A Journey Through Special Education presented by CPARC
(March 2006) - Understanding your Child’s IEP presented by Debra Schafer
(February 2006) - Helping Children with Early-Onset Bipolar To Learn
(2005) - Teaching the Hidden Curriculum to Children and Adolescents with Autistic Spectrum Disorders and Other Cognitive Challenges presented by Brenda Smith Myles, Ph. D.
(May 2005) - Special Education Law and Advocacy Boot Camp presented by Wrightslaw
(February 2005) - Teaching Verbal Behavior in the Classroom presented by Thomas Caffrey, M. ED
(October 2004) - National Autism Conference presented by PA Department of Education
(August 2004) - No Child With A Disability Left Behind: Using No Child Left Behind, The IDEA, Section 504, ADA and FERPA In Your Advocacy presented by Reed Martin
(2004) - Progress Monitoring in Special Education presented by PaTTan
(2003-2004) - Navigating the School-Age Special Education World presented by Jane Brown
(November 2003) - Helping the “Out-of-Sync” Child at Home and School presented by Carol Stock Kranowitz, M.A.
(November 2003)
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