5. From Struggle to Strength: A Person-Centered, Trauma Informed Model for Supporting Older Adults with Disabilities

EDUCATION
M.Ed. Special Education: Moderate and Severe Handicaps, University of Illinois-Champaign.
(Dean’s List, Special Education Department Award)

B.A. Psychology/Sociology, Hope College-Holland, Michigan. (Presidential Scholarship, Dean’s List, Mortar Board, Phi Beta Kappa, Psi Chi)

CERTIFICATIONS
Illinois, Indiana, and Minnesota Teaching Certificates in Moderate to Severe Mental Handicaps, K-12.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Director of Human Potential, ND Center for Persons with Disabilities – Conducting professional development training for staff to ensure implementation of best-practice initiatives. Providing information, resources, and referrals to individuals with disabilities, family members, and professionals from across the state. (September 2021 to Present)

Project Director, Trauma Informed Approaches for Adults with Disabilities (TRIAD) - Overseeing project activities for providing person-centered trauma informed care to older adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, family caregivers, and professionals. (May 2024 to Present)

Research Associate, ND Center for Persons with Disabilities –Assessing individuals with disabilities, developing and modifying curriculum, implementing training, collecting and analyzing data for evaluation. (September 2011 to Present)

Preservice Training Facilitator, ND Center for Persons with Disabilities – Facilitating NDCPD’s preservice activities Teaching an interdisciplinary Disability Studies course for Minot State students. Mentoring undergraduate students in internship programs. Facilitating training activities for interdisciplinary scholars based on a LEND model. (May 1998 to Present)

Instructor, Department of Special Education, Minot State University - Teaching undergraduate and graduate coursework for prospective special education teachers. Coordinating practicum and independent study opportunities for preservice students in the special education and human service programs. (August 1996 to Present)

Project Coordinator, Advancing Students Toward Education and Employment Project (ASTEP) – Served as an advisor and the employment coordinator for students with intellectual disabilities enrolled in Minot State University’s TPSID program. Developed and implemented person-centered plans to support college success. Used a customized employment model to support students’ employment. Provided statewide training for families and professionals on postsecondary education opportunities for young adults with intellectual disabilities. (December 2010 to December 2023)

LEND Training Director, Utah Regional LEND Consortium – Recruited trainees. Coordinated implementation of training activities for North Dakota trainees. Served on consortium committees. Facilitated research/leadership projects as a faculty mentor. Directed family mentorship projects and parent-directed consultations for trainees. (August 2005 to August 2019)

Teacher, Special Education Classrooms in Illinois, Indiana, and Minnesota - Taught in classrooms for transition-age students with I/DD. Implemented functional, age-appropriate individualized education in regular education and community settings. Promoted self-determination and effective transition to adulthood. (August 1991 to August 1996)

Detail-oriented project manager, trainer, and public speaker with over 15 years of experience in nonprofit program management. 

EDUCATION 

B.A. Clark University, Psychology, graduated 1976 

M.A. University of Maryland at Baltimore County, Clinical Psychology, graduated 1986 

Ph.D. University of Maryland at Baltimore County, Applied Developmental Psychology, 

Trained in Clinical Psychology, Applied Developmental Psychology and Applied Behavioral Analysis, graduated 1996  

LICENSE/CERTIFICATION 

Ph.D. Licensed Psychologist – License # 3537 

EMDR – Trauma Therapy–Advanced Certification 

EDUCATION
B.A. Communication Disorders Brigham Young University

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Abilities Specialist, ND Center for Persons with Disabilities – Co-teaching SPED 234 a class that looks at the lifespan (from birth to death) of people with disabilities. Teaching the importance of person-centered planning and the importance of presuming that all students can learn, live on their own and lead independent lives. Sharing lived experience as a person with a disability.

Certified Navigator, ND Center for Persons with Disabilities - Meet with individuals to provide information about available health insurance plans offered by the marketplace.

Independent living specialist for independence Inc - Developed instructional materials and classes for individuals with disabilities to enhance their independence. Networked across the state to ensure that individuals with disabilities received the support needed to live independently. Ensured client caseload was properly documented and charts were current.

Consumer liaison and consumer service coordinator with North Dakota Center for Persons with Disabilities–Networked on a national level for potential conference presenters on disability related issues. Served as NDCPD consumer liaison. Coordinated and facilitated all the meetings for the consumer Advisory Council. Coordinated research activities conducted literature reviews and statistical analysis on funded grants with NDCPD. Secured funding from the North Dakota Association of the Disabled for a conference focused on developing the leadership and communication skills of the next generation of advocates.

Committees and Professional Memberships
Peer vision for mental health board of directors