STAFF LISTING & BIOGRAPHIES

Linda B. Bimbo, Interim Director

PHONE: 603-862-0560 (Durham) 603-228-2084 (Concord)
FAX: 603-862-0555 (Durham) 603-228-3270 (Concord)
E-MAIL

Education

  • M.S., Management, Lesley University, Cambridge, MA, 1977
  • B.S., Recreation Therapy, Springfield College, Springfield, MA, 1987

Professional Background

Linda joined the Institute in 2003 bringing with her over 20 years of experience in providing direction and support to people with developmental and psychiatric disabilities in the community. Working for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Departments of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, and later with non-profit organizations, Linda has provided leadership and vision in the development of homes and employment opportunities for people with disabilities. She is a creative thinker, disciplined analyst, and forward-moving manager who can mobilize resources, mediate conflicting interests and achieve strategic visions of organizations and the constituencies they serve. As Project Coordinator she implemented the Community Wrap/Nursing Facility Transition Project. Linda was also Project Director for the Home Care Connections grant – Integrating Long Term Supports and Affordable Housing. Both grants are part of the Real Choice Systems Change Initiative. In 2007, Linda was appointed Deputy Director and oversees the day-to-day operations of the Institute.

Mary Schuh, Associate Director

PHONE: 603-228-2084
FAX: 603-228-3270
E-MAIL

Education

  • Ph.D., Education, University of New Hampshire, 2002
  • M.S., Special Education, Syracuse University, 1987
  • B.S., Special Education, State University of New York at Geneseo, 1984

Professional Background

Dr. Mary Schuh is the associate director of the Institute on Disability. She has been with the Institute on Disability since its inception in 1987, working to coordinate family and consumer leadership development and educational systems change activities in the areas of: preschool, students with emotional and behavioral disabilities, higher education, and students with complex medical issues. Dr. Schuh has more than 20 years of experience in inclusive schools and communities and project management. She is currently working on systems change in the areas of personnel preparation, leadership development, and inclusive education. She teaches a course on Introduction to Exceptionality and Educating Students with Disabilities in High School at the University of New Hampshire. Dr. Schuh has consulted extensively in the United States, Czech Republic, Slovakia, and the United Kingdom on issues related to supporting students with disabilities and their families in typical school and community environments. Among her many projects, Dr. Schuh is the Leadership Development Coordinator for the National Inclusive Education Initiative (NIEI). She continues in the role of advisor on the award-winning documentary, Including Samuel, and is the author and co-author of a variety of books and other publications related to inclusive schooling.

Projects

National Inclusive Education Initiative (NIEI): The NIEI is focused on improving educational services and outcomes for students with autism and related disabilities through national efforts in the areas of model demonstration, leadership development, personnel preparation, professional development, clinical evaluation services, and research and policy.

Including Samuel: Dan Habib's new award-winning documentary film Including Samuel examines the educational and social inclusion of youth with disabilities. The film is built on the Habib family's efforts to include Samuel, 8, in all facets of their lives, a journey that transforms each of them. Including Samuel also features four other families with varied inclusion experiences, plus interviews with teachers, parents, students, and disability rights experts.

Maria Agorastou

PHONE: 603-862-0318
FAX: 603-862-0555
E-MAIL

Education

  • Accepted into the Doctorate of Education program, University of New Hampshire, 2006
  • Graduate Certificate in Leadership in Children's Health and Disability, University of New Hampshire, 2004
  • M.S.W., Social Work, University of New Hampshire, 2003
  • B.S.W., Social Work, Technological Educational Institute (Patra, Greece), 1998

Professional Background

Maria joined the Institute on Disability in 2003 as a Social Work Graduate student interning for the NH Leadership in Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) program. From 2004-2006 Maria worked as an Intakes Coordinator for the Seacoast Child Development Clinic which is an Interdisciplinary clinical component of the NH LEND program. Since 2006, Maria joined the staff of the APEX II (Achievement in Dropout Prevention and Excellence) project as a Behavior Specialist and Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) facilitator providing on-going training and technical assistance, data collection and analyses to local high schools to assist them in the development and expansion of implementation of school-wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports. In addition to the APEX II initiative Maria is part of the NH Responds initiative as a Research Associate and High school facilitator.

Within NH Responds Maria provides consultation to 2 high schools on school–wide PBIS implementation and literacy interventions and assists in the development of an advanced graduate certificate in Secondary Transition for Adolescents with Emotional and Behavioral Challenges.

Maria is originally from Greece and she is working on her Ph.D in Teacher Education and Curriculum Theory at the Department of Education at the University of New Hampshire with a focus on Inclusive Education practices and Cross-Cultural attitudinal dimensions towards Inclusion and Systems change.

Projects

Research Associate

APEX: The Achievement in Dropout Prevention and Excellence (APEX) project provides training, technical assistance and staff resources to implement a comprehensive drop-out prevention model in high schools that have higher-than-average drop out rates.

NH RESPONDS: NH RESPONDS is a five-year grant-funded initiative to improve the effectiveness of in-service and pre-service professional development for educators, particularly in the areas of literacy and positive behavior support. The NH Department of Education is partnering with UNH Institute on Disability and several institutions of higher education around the state along with NH Center on Effective Behavioral Interventions and Supports (NH CEBIS) on this initiative.

Mary Ann Allsop

PHONE: 603-228-2084
FAX: 603-228-3270
E-MAIL

Professional Background

Mary Ann has been the Conference Coordinator based out of the IOD's Concord office for the past three years. Prior to coming to the Institute, Mary Ann worked as a paraprofessional for 13 years. She is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree through Granite State College.

Caroline Arakelian

PHONE: 603-862-3767
FAX: 603-862-0555
E-MAIL

Education

  • M.Ed., Special Education, Emotional/Behavioral Disorders, Rivier College
  • B.A., Psychology, Johnson State College

Professional Background

Caroline joins the Institute on Disability as a Research Associate for the Autism Transition Project to help adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders transition from high-school into the community. Caroline has worked as a special education teacher at an alternative high-school for six years in the New Hampshire seacoast area. She has taught career classes to disadvantaged youth in the group home, 1-1, and high-school settings.

Projects

The Autism Transition Project: The Autism Transition Project: Family-Centered Transition Planning for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders is a two-year collaboration between the Institute on Disability and the Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies at the University of Maine, to demonstrate an innovative approach to the transition of individuals with autism spectrum disorders from high school to adult life. Students age 16-18 enrolled in public high school and who have been diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) are eligible to participate.

Joan Beasley

PHONE: 617-469-7391
FAX: 603-228-3270
E-MAIL

Education

  • Ph.D., Public Policy, The Heller School at Brandeis University, Waltham, MA, 2000
  • M.Ed., Community Mental Health Counseling, Northeastern University, Boston, MA, 1981

Professional Background

Joan joined the Institute in 2008 and serves as the Director of the Center for START Services where she heads a multi-disciplinary team made up of national experts in the field of mental health and intellectual/developmental disabilities. She holds a license in mental health counseling and has worked to promote the development of effective services for people with disabilities and their families for more than 30 years.

She worked as the Clinical Director of a large non-profit organization for 20 years, and co-founded the START/ Sovner Center program in Massachusetts, which she directed from 1989 until 2000. In 2001, the START program was identified in the US Surgeon General’s report as a national model. The START Center at the Institute is dedicated to implementation of evidence-based and effective services and supports to individuals with developmental/intellectual disabilities and behavioral health care needs and their families. Current projects include: a contract to provide trainings and evaluate the service needs of individuals in New Hampshire, statewide development and implementation of NC START in North Carolina, two Health Foundation pilot projects being developed in Butler and Hamilton Counties in Ohio for children and adolescents, and a contract with the State of Missouri to help in the development of Mo-START.

Dr. Beasley has published numerous articles and book chapters, and has provided training through the US and Canada. She serves on the National Board of Directors of NADD, and has been the editor of “The US Public Policy Update” an ongoing contribution to the NADD Bulletin, since 2003.

Projects

The Center for START Services: The mission of the Center for START Services is to enhance local capacity and provide collaborative, cost-effective support to individuals and their families through exemplary clinical services, education and training, with close attention to service outcomes.

Stephanie Bernier

PHONE: 603-228-2084
FAX: 603-228-3270
E-MAIL

Professional Background

Stephanie brings her wealth of small business, customer service, and sales management skills to the Concord office where she manages administrative functions for that team. Stephanie is currently closing in on her Bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration.

Sarah Buckovitch

PHONE: 603-862-0561
FAX: 603-862-0034

Professional Background

Sarah has been with the Institute on Disability since 2001 and currently provides child care services for the Seacoast Child Development Clinic.

Heidi Cloutier

PHONE: 603-228-2084
FAX: 603-228-3270
E-MAIL

Education

  • MSW, University of New Hampshire, 2000
  • BSW, University of New Hampshire, 1997
  • AS, Business Administration, University of New Hampshire, 1995

Professional Background

Heidi joined the Institute on Disability in 1998 after working in Community Mental Health as a vocational counselor and case manager for individuals with chronic and severe mental health issues and drug and alcohol addiction. She has worked in transition planning, person-centered planning and resource planning with youth and adults on the Career Enhancement Opportunities Project, Project Dollars & Sense, NH Microboards, and the Family Centered Transition Planning Project. Heidi has presented nationally on topics of transition planning, creating individualized budgets and person centered planning. She currently acts as the Southern NH Facilitator on the Autism Transition Planning Project.

Projects

The Autism Transition Project: The Autism Transition Project: Family-Centered Transition Planning for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders is a two-year collaboration between the Institute on Disability and the Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies at the University of Maine, to demonstrate an innovative approach to the transition of individuals with autism spectrum disorders from high school to adult life. Students age 16-18 enrolled in public high school and who have been diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) are eligible to participate.

Patty Cotton

PHONE: 603-692-0948
E-MAIL

Education

  • M.Ed., Cambridge College, Cambridge, MA, 1994

Professional Background

Patty directs Innovation Facilitators (IF), a new service initiative offering educational programs, facilitation services and professional development related to creative planning, strategic visioning, and consumer and family-directed service designs. IF is dedicated to advancing the standards of excellence in person-centered planning to support the shift from placing people in programs, to creating personalized support arrangements that are highly customized to the unique interests and needs of individuals. Patty works jointly with the Institute on Disability and the Browne Center for experiential learning at UNH to establish IF as a centralized resource for people with disabilities and families to hire an “independent” facilitator to guide them through person-centered planning. Since joining the Institute on Disability in 1989, Patty has coordinated numerous federally funded projects with a particular focus on model demonstration and system-change in adult services. She has extensive background in process facilitation, service brokering, and the development of natural support strategies. Patty has authored several publications on person-centered planning and natural supports, and provides training at both the state and national levels.

Projects

Innovation Facilitators (IF): As a centralized resource for training, process facilitation, and technical assistance, the mission of Innovation Facilitators (IF) is to advance the standards of excellence in person-centered planning through the support of practitioners, persons with disabilities, families, and personal support teams.

Person Centered Planning for Older Adults. Using the Team Performance Model (TPM) developed by Drexler & Sibbet (1993) as the framework for Person Centered Planning (PCP), the IOD is designing a process for supporting PCP that is applicable across all ages and disabilities. The TPM offers a valuable structure for supporting the progression of PCP and provides a comprehensive framework that reflects predictable phases of planning and decision-making that individuals, families and support teams progress through as they design and develop individually-tailored supports. The PCP project includes the development of principles of PCP, training for community staff who work in critical pathways to long-term supports, the development of a training manual, and the development of web-based PCP tools. Click here for more information.

Brittney DeVincenzo

PHONE: 603-228-2084
FAX: 603-228-3270
E-MAIL

Education

  • Certificate for Administrative Support Specialist, 2007

Professional Background

Brittney joined the IOD’s Concord office team in November 2008 as Administrative Support Specialist. Prior to joining the IOD, Brittney gained experience in the Human Services field while completing an internship at Merrimack County ServiceLink Resource Center.

Ann Donoghue Dillon

PHONE: 603-862-4840
FAX: 603-862-0034
E-MAIL

Education

  • M.Ed., University of New Hampshire, 1998
  • B.S., Occupational Therapy, University of New Hampshire, 1975

Professional Background

Since Ann's career began as an occupational therapist, she has enjoyed supporting young children, their families and providers and working to provide supports and services that are family-centered. Her interest in autism has been fueled by these connections and passions. Increasing the use of person-centered planning, organizing and designing responsive supports, and pre-service and continuing education are personal priorities. Through the IOD, Ann is the Coordinator of Clinical Services and Supports and the Coordinator of Family-Centered Care at the Seacoast Child Development Clinic and LEND program. She has worked with many community, state, country and governmental agencies in the areas of systems change, medical home, positive behavioral supports, family-centered care, autism and developmental disabilities. Ann is a registered and licensed Occupational Therapist (OTR/L) with the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy and the State of New Hampshire. As the parent of a wonderful daughter who has disabilities, Ann applies her parenting experience to the Institute’s work in education, inclusion, medical support and family support.

Projects

NH-LEASD: The aim of the New Hampshire Leadership Education in Autism Spectrum Disorders Program is to increase early screening, diagnosis, and effective family-centered treatment of children with ASD. The overall goal of the program is to increase the number of highly qualified health-care and education professionals who have the knowledge, skills, and leadership abilities to provide evidenced-based services for children with or suspected of having ASD and their families, including screening, referral, diagnosis, assessment, and interventions.

NH-LEND: The NH LEND Program is a collaborative effort of the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth and the Institute on Disability, a University Center of Excellence in Disabilities (UCED), and the College of Health and Human Services at the University of New Hampshire. The program provides interdisciplinary leadership training to those who wish to enhance their knowledge and skills in working with children with neurodevelopmental disabilities or special health care needs and their families. Training experiences are individually designed to provide future leaders with both value-based and evidence-based training.

Seacoast Child Development Clinic: The Seacoast Child Development Clinic provides family-centered and culturally sensitive interdisciplinary evaluation and consultation to assist families of children who have developmental challenges to make informed decisions regarding medical, developmental, and educational needs.

Beth Dixon

PHONE: 603-228-2084
FAX: 603-228-3270
E-MAIL

Education

  • B.S., Behavioral Science, College of Lifelong Learning, 2001

Professional Background

Beth, a parent of four children and grandparent of four, is interested in equality for all people in all areas that affect our lives - education, social/friendship ties, work environments, housing options, recreation opportunities, and more. Beth enjoys organizing and presenting best practices to participants at the NH Leadership Series. Watching people change and broaden their expectations for themselves and/or their children is exciting to her - but even more exciting is watching them become involved in their communities and in public life.

Projects

The New Hampshire Leadership Series is a seven-month training session for adults with disabilities and parents or family members of children with disabilities. It is based on the national Partners in Policymaking model. The Series is funded by the NH Department of Education, NH Developmental Disabilities Council, NH Division of Developmental Services, 12 NH Area Agencies, Annie Forts UP Fund Laconia Savings Bank, and donations from NH Leadership graduates.

Jennifer Donahue

PHONE: 603-862-0321
FAX: 603-862-0555
E-MAIL

Education

  • B.S., Business Studies, Southern New Hampshire University

Professional Background

Jennifer has been with the Institute on Disability since 2006. Jennifer currently assists in managing the business and service operations of the IOD. She is responsible for the preparation and management of grant and contract funds. Prior to joining the IOD, Jennifer was the Finance Manager for a Global Media Intelligence firm.

Sönke Dornblut

PHONE: 603-862-4064
FAX: 603-862-0555
E-MAIL

Education

  • M.S., Community Economic Development, Southern New Hampshire University, 1999
  • B.A., Political Science, Plymouth State University, 1995

Professional Background

Sönke's primary motivation lies within a deeply held belief that society must be accessible at all levels to all people in order to fulfill its promise as a democratic society. He is interested in developing infrastructures that support access for all by utilizing community economic development strategies and structures. Current work focuses on access through transportation for people with disabilities and others who do not drive, especially in rural areas. Sönke is also intrigued by connections - both historical and current - between languages and in language as a transmitter of cultural norms and values.

Projects

New Hampshire Assistive Technology Partnership Project: The goal of the New Hampshire Assistive Technology Partnership Project is to increase access to assistive technology through the creation and support of consumer driven systems for the provision of state-of-the-art assistive technology products and services for citizens with disabilities in the state of New Hampshire.

Transportation Solutions New Hampshire (TSNH) analyzes existing issues, provides factual information resources, and initiates policy changes toward a sustainable transportation system. It is especially critical that public awareness of the transportation system’s role and current stresses be strengthened through a common messaging framework in order to over-come short term thinking, restrictive state budget frameworks, and other challenges.

Jonathon Drake

PHONE: 603-228-2084
FAX: 603-228-3270
E-MAIL

Education

  • MSW, University of New Hampshire, 2006
  • Graduate Certificate in Leadership in Children's Health and Disability, University of New Hampshire, 2004
  • B.A., Psychology, University of New Hampshire, 2004

Professional Background

Jonathon started working with the Institute on Disability in 2005 as an intern through the NH Leadership in Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) program. From 2006-2009, Jonathon joined the APEXII (Achievement in Dropout Prevention and Excellence) project as an Intensive Intervention Facilitator providing on-going training and technical assistance to high school professionals around a youth intensive intervention model called RENEW (Rehabilitation for Empowerment, Natural Supports, Education, and Work). Jonathon is currently the Master Trainer for the RENEW Capacity Building Project. The RENEW project is designed to build sustainability for RENEW in the mental health system by training clinicians to use the RENEW model as an evidence based mental health intervention. The project is targeting up to 60 youth with emotional and/or behavioral disorders. Jonathon has also collaborated with Strafford Learning Center on the Wraparound initiative for the seacoast region as a wraparound trainer and facilitator.

Projects

RENEW: This project is designed to develop the capacity among mental health providers to provide RENEW (Rehabilitation for Empowerment, Natural Supports, Education, and Work) services to 60 adolescents with emotional and behavioral disorders in New Hampshire, and to support the systems change, training, and sustainability issues related to the implementation of this practice throughout the state. This initiative is funded by a grant from the New Hampshire Endowment for Health, a non-profit foundation that has adopted improved children's mental health as its newest priority area.

Michelle Fox

PHONE: 603-862-0561
FAX: 603-862-0034
E-MAIL

Education

  • Business Office Management Certification, 1993

Professional Background

Michelle joined the Institute on Disability's clinical staff in 2006. As a Program Support Assistant, Michelle is currently involved in providing supports for clinicians, children with disabilities, and their families through the NH LEND program and the Seacoast Child Development Clinic.

Susan Fox

PHONE: 603-228-2084
FAX: 603-228-3270
E-MAIL

Education

  • Doctoral Candidate, Sociology, University of NH
  • M.A., Sociology, University of New Hampshire, 2006
  • M.S., Educational Leadership, Lesley University, 1981
  • B.S., Education, University of Massachusetts, 1977

Professional Background

Susan Fox is currently a Project Director at the Institute on Disability at UNH leading New Hampshire’s work to prevent unnecessary institutionalization and to support all citizens to live within their home communities through the Real Choice System Transformation Grant in collaboration with the NH Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services. Prior to this, she served for five years as the State Director of the Division of Developmental Services. She managed services in a community agency serving persons with disabilities for over ten years. Including her years working in special education, she has been active in regional and statewide initiatives involving persons with disabilities for over 30 years.

Projects

The Real Choice Systems Change Project is designed to create and implement improvements in community-based care systems in order to improve health and long-term care services and supports that assist people with disabilities and long-term illnesses to live in the community.

Person Centered Planning for Older Adults. Using the Team Performance Model (TPM) developed by Drexler & Sibbet (1993) as the framework for Person Centered Planning (PCP), the IOD is designing a process for supporting PCP that is applicable across all ages and disabilities. The TPM offers a valuable structure for supporting the progression of PCP and provides a comprehensive framework that reflects predictable phases of planning and decision-making that individuals, families and support teams progress through as they design and develop individually-tailored supports. The PCP project includes the development of principles of PCP, training for community staff who work in critical pathways to long-term supports, the development of a training manual, and the development of web-based PCP tools. Click here for more information.

Transitions in Caregiving: The Transitions in Caregiving project (formerly Nursing Home Diversion Modernization Grant) is transforming how services are being delivered to family caregivers in New Hampshire who are caring for older adults at risk of nursing home admission. The project has shifted the locus of control from a primarily state-controlled, provider driven model to a caregiver-directed, locally-managed model that allows caregivers to determine their needs with support from local resources.

Amy Frechette

PHONE: 603-862-0561
FAX: 603-862-0034
E-MAIL

Education

  • A.S., Criminal Justice, New Hampshire Technical Institute, 1997

Professional Background

Amy has a diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome and brings her expertise as a self-advocate to her work with the IOD. She is a strong advocate and statewide leader in the area of ASD, serving as a board member for the Autism Society of NH and a governor appointed self-advocate for NH Council on ASD which is responsible for coordinating the implementation of the recommendations made in the report NH Commission on ASD. Amy is a 2007 graduate of the NH Family and Consumer Leadership Series and co-instructor for the Graduate Seminar on ASD in the Communication Sciences and Disorders Dept. (with Rae Sonnenmeier, Ph.D.). Amy works in the NH LEND Program and serves as faculty in self-advocacy for the LEND expansion program. Amy has an Autism Service Dog, Eden, a Pomeranian.

Projects

The Autism Transition Project: The Autism Transition Project: Family-Centered Transition Planning for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders is a two-year collaboration between the Institute on Disability and the Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies at the University of Maine, to demonstrate an innovative approach to the transition of individuals with autism spectrum disorders from high school to adult life. Students age 16-18 enrolled in public high school and who have been diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) are eligible to participate.

NH-LEASD: The aim of the New Hampshire Leadership Education in Autism Spectrum Disorders Program is to increase early screening, diagnosis, and effective family-centered treatment of children with ASD. The overall goal of the program is to increase the number of highly qualified health-care and education professionals who have the knowledge, skills, and leadership abilities to provide evidenced-based services for children with or suspected of having ASD and their families, including screening, referral, diagnosis, assessment, and interventions.

NH-LEND: The NH LEND Program is a collaborative effort of the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth and the Institute on Disability, a University Center of Excellence in Disabilities (UCED), and the College of Health and Human Services at the University of New Hampshire. The program provides interdisciplinary leadership training to those who wish to enhance their knowledge and skills in working with children with neurodevelopmental disabilities or special health care needs and their families. Training experiences are individually designed to provide future leaders with both value-based and evidence-based training.

Deborah Genthner

PHONE: 603-228-2084
FAX: 603-228-3270
EMAIL

Professional Background

Projects

Youth Empowerment Services: A three year initiative designed to develop and promote self advocacy and leadership skills in young adults with disabilities to help them prepare for the future.

Matthew Gianino

PHONE: 603-862-2300
FAX: 603-862-0555
E-MAIL

Education

  • B.A., Theatre, University of Massachusetts, 1997

Professional Background

Since 2002, Matthew Gianino has been actively involved in the development and execution of comprehensive marketing and communications strategies and campaigns for both for-profit and non-profit organizations. In both leadership and hands-on roles, he has been instrumental in the deployment of countless successful public-oriented promotions and communication initiatives. With a background in the arts and writing, Matthew has been able to apply his eye for detail and his creative disposition along with 13 years of professional relationship building experience to encourage discourse and nurture relationships with targeted audiences, the press and strategic organizational partners. Since joining the Institute on Disability in January 2006, Matthew has spent much of his time evaluating and improving upon existing communications and marketing strategies as well as incorporating new initiatives in order to develop a comprehensive marketing plan for the organization. In addition to his expertise in communications and marketing, he is also well versed in graphic design, photography, and video production.

Nichole Guntz

PHONE: 603-862-1769
FAX: 603-862-0555
E-MAIL

Education

  • B.A., Communication, Houghton College, 2006

Professional Background

Nikki has been with the IOD since April 2007 as Communications & Marketing Assistant. Prior to coming to the IOD, Nikki worked in internal communications with the Information Systems group at Liberty Mutual Insurance, exercising skills in website content management and design, event coordination and support, and publication production.

Dan Habib

PHONE: 603-228-2084
FAX: 603-228-3270
E-MAIL

Education

  • B.A., Political Science, University of Michigan

Professional Background

Dan Habib is the director, producer and cinematographer of the new documentary, Including Samuel and is Filmmaker in Residence at the Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire. Until joining UNH in April of 2008, Habib was the photography editor of the Concord Monitor since 1995. In 2006 and 2008, he was named the national Photography Editor of the Year for papers with a circulation under 100,000. Between his stints at the Monitor, Habib freelanced and created a multi-media documentary project titled “Teen Sexuality in a Culture of Confusion” (www.danhabib.com). His freelance work, including extensive documentary work in China, has appeared in numerous publications, including Time, Newsweek, Yankee, Life, Boston Magazine, Mother Jones and the New York Times. Habib has been named New Hampshire Photographer of the Year six times. He has been a judge of Pulitzer Prizes, Pictures of the Year, Best of Photojournalism and White House News Photographer's Association. He was one of 10 young photojournalists from around the world chosen for the 1995 World Press Masterclass in Amsterdam.

David Hagner

PHONE: 603-228-2084
FAX: 603-228-3270
E-MAIL

Education

  • Ph.D., Rehabilitation Counseling, Syracuse University
  • M.S., Rehabilitation Counseling, Syracuse University
  • M.A., Philosophy, University of Cincinnati

Professional Background

Dr. Hagner currently serves as Research Professor with the University of New Hampshire Institute on Disability.  He is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor with over 25 years’ experience in teaching, research, evaluation and direct service.  He has directed research and demonstration projects in the areas of transition, employment and community living for individuals with disabilities.  Recent projects have included model demonstrations of consumer-controlled approaches to transition from high school to adult life for individuals with significant disabilities.  Dr. Hagner is the author of five books and over 45 chapters, monographs and journal articles related to employment and rehabilitation.  He is a frequent presenter at regional and national conferences and serves as reviewer for several academic journals.

Projects

The Autism Transition Project: The Autism Transition Project: Family-Centered Transition Planning for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders is a two-year collaboration between the Institute on Disability and the Center for Community Inclusion and Disability Studies at the University of Maine, to demonstrate an innovative approach to the transition of individuals with autism spectrum disorders from high school to adult life. Students age 16-18 enrolled in public high school and who have been diagnosed with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) are eligible to participate.

Andrew Houtenville

PHONE: 603-862-3999
FAX: 603-862-0555
E-MAIL

Education

  • Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, National Institute on Aging, Syracuse University, 1998-99
  • Ph.D., Economics, University of New Hampshire, 1997
  • M.A., Economics, University of New Hampshire, 1991

Professional Background

Dr. Andrew Houtenville is an Associate Professor of Economics and Research Director of the Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire.  He is extensively involved disability statistics and employment policy research.  He is a co-Principal Investigator of the Hunter College Rehabilitation Research and Training Center on Disability Demographics and Statistics (StatsRRTC).  He has published widely in the areas of disability statistics and the economic status of people with disabilities. 

Dr. Houtenville received his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of New Hampshire in 1997 and was a National Institute on Aging Post-Doctoral Fellow at Syracuse University in 1998/1999.  He was also a Senior Research Associate at Cornell University and New Editions Consulting in McLean, Virginia.

Cat Jones

PHONE: 603-228-2084
FAX: 603-228-3270
E-MAIL

Education

  • M.F.A., Creative Writing, University of Washington, 2005
  • B.A., English Literature, University of Washington, 2003

Professional Background

Cat is a member of the support staff team at the IOD's Concord office. Previous to returning to her home state of New Hampshire, she helped to develop and support a spearhead professional development program serving university staff at the University of Washington's Professional and Organizational Development in Seattle, Washington.

Cheryl M. Jorgensen

PHONE: 603-862-4678
FAX: 603-862-0555
E-MAIL

Education

  • Ph.D., Health Education, Penn State University, 1982
  • M.P.H., Maternal and Child Health Services Administration, University of Pittsburgh, 1975
  • B.S., Health Education, Springfield College, 1974

Professional Background

Dr. Jorgensen is project director with the Institute on Disability and assistant research professor with the University of New Hampshire’s Education Department. She currently directs a four-year OSEP personnel preparation grant in the area of promoting access to the general education curriculum for students with low incidence disabilities. She is also the Director of the National Inclusive Education Initiative for Students with Autism and Related Disabilities.

Dr. Jorgensen works with the NH Department of Education on efforts relating to teacher certification, alternate assessment of students with disabilities, and high quality educational programs for students with autism.

Since 1985, Dr. Jorgensen has worked with public school teachers, parents, and administrators to increase their commitment to and capacity for including students with disabilities in general education classes. For the past several years, her work has focused on the restructuring of policies, organizational structures, and teaching practices that naturally facilitate inclusion and learning for all students.

Dr. Jorgensen has collaborated on several multi-university grant proposals; has authored several books (including The Inclusion Facilitator’s Guide); publishes extensively in the field; presents at state, national, and international conferences; and provides technical assistance in New Hampshire and the New England region. She had lead and served on a number of federal and statewide policy task forces and is a member of a national coalition of leaders promoting Universal Design for Learning and Inclusive Education. In 2008, she received an award from the National Down Syndrome Congress for her contributions to inclusive education research.

Projects

Gaining Access: A multi-year project in partnership with the NH Department of Education to revise the NH Alternate Assessment

Beyond Access for Teacher Education: Preparing Teachers of Students with Low Incidence Disabilities to Access the General Education Curriculum is a four-year personnel preparation project funded by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education Programs. The program prepared teachers to serve as inclusion facilitators of students with autism and related low incidence disabilities and leads to New Hampshire certification in the area of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.

The National Inclusive Education Initiative (NIEI) is focused on improving educational services and outcomes for students with autism and related disabilities through national efforts in the areas of model demonstration, leadership development, personnel preparation, professional development, clinical evaluation services, and research and policy.

Laurie Lambert

PHONE: 603-862-
FAX: 603-862-0555
E-MAIL

Education

  • Graduate Certification, Autism Spectrum Disorders, University of New Hampshire, 2009
  • Graduate Certification, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, University of New Hampshire, 2009
  • M.Ed., Elementary Education, University of New Hampshire, 2001
  • Special Education and Elementary Teaching Certifications, 1997
  • B.P.S., Behavioral Science, College for Lifelong Learning, 1995
  • A.S., Early Childhood Education, College for Lifelong Learning, 1993

Professional Background

Having come up through the education ranks as a paraprofessional, Title 1 tutor, general education teacher, special education teacher and inclusion facilitator, Laurie brings a wide variety of experience, perspectives and expertise to the education of children with disabilities. Laurie has had significant training in the many areas of educating students with disabilities obtaining Advanced Graduate Certification (July 2009) in the areas of Intellectual and Development Disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorders.  Laurie has also done significant work in the Beyond Access for Students with Disabilities Project, the Beyond Access for Assessment Accommodations project and the Gaining Access to What Student with Cognitive Disabilities Know Project, all research projects that are part of the work of the Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire.

Projects

Beyond Access for Assessment Accommodations: A general supervision enhancement grant to assist the NH Department of Education and NH schools to better support students with disabilities to participate in the NECAP with accommodations and the NH Alternate Assessment.

Gaining Access: A multi-year project in partnership with the NH Department of Education to revise the NH Alternate Assessment.

Anne Long

PHONE: 603-862-4129
FAX: 603-862-0555
E-MAIL

Education

  • A.S., Medical Assistant, Southern New Hampshire University, 1979

Professional Background

Anne has been with the IOD since November 2009 as a Program Assistant for the Gaining Access and NH RESPONDS projects, as well as the National Inclusive Education Initiative.  Prior to the IOD, Anne worked with the Information Technology Group at a large Insurance company as a Software Engineer.

Peter A. Macalaster

PHONE: 603-862-4320
E-MAIL

Professional Background

Peter A. Macalaster joined the Institute on Disability in 1994 as an office assistant. Prior to his work at the Institute, Peter worked as a courier at BankEast for over 10 years and operated a small business in Boston, Massachusetts for 15 years. In 1999, Peter graduated from the Institute on Disability's Leadership Series and remains an active advocate for disability rights. Currently, he serves on the Board of Directors for the NH Challenge newspaper and offers guest lectures in UNH classes and elsewhere on his experiences with disability. Peter is also a member of the UNH President's Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities. In his free time, Peter enjoys skiing, water skiing, and traveling.

JoAnne Malloy

PHONE: 603-628-6837
E-MAIL

Education

  • M.S., Social Work Administration and Planning, University of Tennessee, 1981
  • B.A., Fine Arts, University of Massachusetts at Amherst, 1976

Professional Background

JoAnne M. Malloy, MSW received a Masters Degree in Social Work Administration and Planning from the University of Tennessee in 1981. She joined the staff of the University of New Hampshire’s Institute on Disability (NH’s University Center for Excellence in Disability) in 1991 where she has directed several state and federally-funded employment and dropout prevention projects. In 1996, she directed a demonstration project to create employment opportunities for youth with emotional and behavioral disabilities. The model developed as a result of the project, known as RENEW (Rehabilitation, Empowerment, natural supports, Education, and Work), has resulted in positive outcomes for youth with emotional and behavioral disorders and at risk youth, and has been recognized by the National Transition Alliance as a promising practice. Ms. Malloy is also considered an expert in public benefits and work incentives for youth and adults with disabilities.

Ms. Malloy directed two major dropout prevention projects funded by the U. S. Department of Education, using a school-to-career and Positive Behavioral Supports and Interventions (PBIS) model to reduce dropout rates in New Hampshire high schools, and has recently been awarded a project from the Endowment for Health to train community mental health center staffs to provide RENEW services to youth with emotional and behavioral disorders. Ms. Malloy has published numerous articles and book chapters on employment for youth with emotional disorders and adults with mental illnesses, and is currently working on her dissertation for her doctorate degree in Education at UNH.

Projects

APEX: Dropout Prevention Project- provides training, technical assistance and support to high schools in positive behavioral supports.

Medicaid Infrastructure Grant: Provides research, capacity building and infrastructure development to remove barriers to employment for individuals with disabilities.

NH RESPONDS: NH RESPONDS is a five-year grant-funded initiative to improve the effectiveness of in-service and pre-service professional development for educators, particularly in the areas of literacy and positive behavior support. The NH Department of Education is partnering with UNH Institute on Disability and several institutions of higher education around the state along with NH Center on Effective Behavioral Interventions and Supports (NH CEBIS) on this initiative.

RENEW: This project is designed to develop the capacity among mental health providers to provide RENEW (Rehabilitation for Empowerment, Natural Supports, Education, and Work) services to 60 adolescents with emotional and behavioral disorders in New Hampshire, and to support the systems change, training, and sustainability issues related to the implementation of this practice throughout the state.

Melissa Mandrell

PHONE: 603-228-2084
FAX: 603-228-3270
E-MAIL

Education

  • MSS, Bryn Mawr College Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research, Bryn Mawr, PA 1989
  • MLSP, Bryn Mawr College Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research, Bryn Mawr, PA 1989
  • B.A., Swarthmore College, Swarthmore, PA 1985

Professional Background

Melissa joined the Institute in 2005. She is currently project coordinator for Transitions in Caregiving, a grant funded by the Administration on Aging designed to develop a new community-based approach to serving family caregivers of older adults.  The project is shifting the locus of control from a primarily state-controlled, provider driven model to a caregiver-directed, locally-managed model that allows caregivers to determine their needs with the support of a locally based caregiver specialist from the ServiceLink Resource Center.  Project partners include NH DHHS Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services, ServiceLink Resource Centers, and Gateways Community Services. From 2005 to 2007, she worked as project coordinator for a Medicaid Real Choice Grant designed to integrate affordable housing with long term supports. From 1999 to 2005, she served as the assistant administrator for children’s mental health services at the NH Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Behavioral Health. In that role, she developed and implemented statewide policy and programming; coordinated activities among multiple state, local and family agencies; provided consultation and technical assistance to community mental health centers;; and consulted with families receiving services from the mental health system. In addition, during that time she was the project director for CARE NH, a SAMHSA grant initiative for the development of a system of care for children with multiple service needs. Previous to that, she worked in a number of roles, including administrator and social worker for a mental health clinical research center, United Way community funding coordinator, and psychiatric social worker at a hospital.

Projects

Transitions in Caregiving: The Transitions in Caregiving project (formerly Nursing Home Diversion Modernization Grant) is transforming how services are being delivered to family caregivers in New Hampshire who are caring for older adults at risk of nursing home admission. The project has shifted the locus of control from a primarily state-controlled, provider driven model to a caregiver-directed, locally-managed model that allows caregivers to determine their needs with support from local resources.

Michael McSheehan

Phone: 603-862-2144
Fax: 603-862-0555
E-MAIL
Follow Michael on Twitter

Education

  • Master's Level Training, Communication Sciences & Disorders, Syracuse University
  • B.S., Communication Disorders, University of New Hampshire, 1990

Professional Background

Michael McSheehan, a project coordinator with the Institute on Disability/UCED and Clinical Assistant Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders, has been affiliated with the Institute on Disability since 1993.

Michael is a coordinator of the newly funded National Inclusive Education Initiative for Students with Autism and Related Disabilities. He has worked on a variety of state and federally funded initiatives to advance research, policy, and practice in inclusive education, alternate assessment, augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), autism spectrum disorders, collaborative teaming, and Response to Intervention (RtI).

With the National Initiative, Michael coordinates an effort to create 20 model demonstration schools in the U.S. that are successfully promoting membership in general education classrooms, participation in general education instruction, and learning of general education curriculum by students with significant disabilities. In partnership with the NH Department of Education, Michael is currently assisting to revise the NH Alternate Assessment (Gaining Access) and to develop and scale up a RtI model that blends academic and behavioral supports (NH RESPONDS). Additionally, Michael is an active faculty member with the NH Resource Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders.

As a researcher and professional developer, Michael has published peer-reviewed articles, book chapter, and a forthcoming book (Summer 2009) in the areas of autism, AAC, and access to and learning of general curriculum. He consults with various state departments of education and presents internationally. Currently, he is working with several states to replicate components of the Beyond Access Model to improve student and team outcomes in general education settings by assisting districts, schools, and teams to build their capacity to educate children with significant disabilities in general education classrooms. Michael shares exceptional skills in working with teams to solve challenging problems within school-wide improvement and reform efforts, and is nationally recognized for his presentations at TASH, OSEP, NATTAP, ASHA, and other inclusive education conferences

Projects

National Inclusive Education Initiative (NIEI): The NIEI is focused on improving educational services and outcomes for students with autism and related disabilities through national efforts in the areas of model demonstration, leadership development, personnel preparation, professional development, clinical evaluation services, and research and policy.

Gaining Access: A multi-year project in partnership with the NH Department of Education to revise the NH Alternate Assessment.

NH RESPONDS: NH RESPONDS is a five-year grant-funded initiative to improve the effectiveness of in-service and pre-service professional development for educators, particularly in the areas of literacy and positive behavior support. The NH Department of Education is partnering with UNH Institute on Disability and several institutions of higher education around the state along with NH Center on Effective Behavioral Interventions and Supports (NH CEBIS) on this initiative.

Beyond Access for Assessment Accommodations: A general supervision enhancement grant to assist the NH Department of Education and NH schools to better support students with disabilities to participate in the NECAP with accommodations and the NH Alternate Assessment.

Maureen Miller

PHONE: 603-228-2084
FAX: 603-228-3270
E-MAIL

Education

  • B.S., Computer Information Systems

Professional Background

Maureen has been with the Institute on Disability since 2004. Prior to joining the IOD, Maureen was Director of Finance & Administration at a state-wide human service agency. She is pleased to be part of the IOD as a member of the financial management team that supports the work the staff ‘in the field’ perform to carry out the mission of the organization.

Sarah O'Rourke

PHONE: 603-228-2084
FAX: 603-228-3270
E-MAIL

Education

  • B.A., Political Science, Lewis and Clark College, 2000

Professional Background

Sarah joins the IOD as a Project Assistant for the National Inclusive Education Initiative. Prior to joining the IOD, Sarah was a Project Assistant for the Office of HIV/AIDS at the United State Agency for International Development and a Congressional Aide for the U.S. House of Representatives.

Projects

National Inclusive Education Initiative (NIEI): The NIEI is focused on improving educational services and outcomes for students with autism and related disabilities through national efforts in the areas of model demonstration, leadership development, personnel preparation, professional development, clinical evaluation services, and research and policy.

Susan Lovas Orr

PHONE: 603-228-2084
FAX: 603-228-3270
E-MAIL

Professional Background

Susan has been with the IOD since October 2008 as Senior Program Support Assistant for the Aging Programs. Prior to coming to the IOD, Susan worked for CCA Global Partners’ Training Department as Business Manager, which included playing an integral part in the planning and execution of “Education Day” at the bi-annual Conventions for two of their divisions. Before CCA, Susan worked for Clear Channel Communications at WGIR AM/FM Radio. She held many positions over 12 years there including Office Manager, Traffic Coordinator, Sales Assistant and Copywriter; as well as assisting the on-air staff with production and creative development.

Jason Paradis

PHONE: 603-862-4114
FAX: 603-862-0555
E-MAIL

Professional Background

Information Technologist II

Tobey Partch-Davies

PHONE: 603-228-2084
FAX: 603-228-3270
E-MAIL

Education

  • ABD/Ph.D., Community Economic Development & Policy, School of Community Economic Development, Southern New Hampshire University
  • M.S., Community Economic Development, New Hampshire College, 1998

Professional Background

Before rejoining the Institute on Disability in 2009, Ms. Partch-Davies served for six years as founding director of the Center for Community Economic Development & Disability at Southern New Hampshire University, where she served as Principal Investigator for a sub-study of NIDRR funded Asset Accumulation and Tax Policy Project; the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) funded Living with Independence, Freedom & Equality (LIFE) Project, and the Principal Investigator for several CMS funded sub-studies for New Hampshire's Medicaid Infrastructure Grant. She is the current PI for the experimentally designed REAL Opportunity Study, a NIDRR funded Asset Accumulation and Economic Self Sufficiency Study in partnership with the Burton Blatt Institute of Syracuse University.  She is the PI for the New Hampshire Medicaid Buy In Utilization project in partnership with Mathematica Policy Research, the co-PI for the Employment Infrastructure Evaluation, and the project manager for the Employment Indicator System, a multi-system, web-based, quality improvement tracking system for the employment development of people with disabilities, all sub-studies affiliated with New Hampshire’s Medicaid Infrastructure Grant.

Kathleen Pirie

PHONE: 603-862-4117
FAX: 603-862-0555
E-MAIL

Professional Background

Kathleen Pirie brings more than seventeen years of administrative and leadership experience to her role as Office Manager at the IOD’s Durham Office. This experience, combined with Kathy’s commitment to providing quality support and service, makes her well suited for this role.

Leigh Rohde

PHONE: 603-862-0791
FAX: 603-862-0555
E-MAIL

Education

  • Ph.D., Teacher Education, University of New Hampshire, expected completion 2010
  • M.Ed., Early Childhood Special Education, University of New Hampshire, 1986
  • B.A., Special Education, University of Massachusetts, 1981

Professional Background

Leigh began working at the Institute in 1993. Prior work included teaching in a special education preschool program and as a family support worker in an early intervention program. She began at the Institute by providing technical assistance and training around elementary school inclusion. She has served as project coordinator for the Granite Ladders Project, a five-year research project evaluating the effectiveness of a literacy curriculum in Head Start classrooms, funded by the U.S. Dept. of Education, Institute of Education Sciences and the Community Options project, a model demonstration project promoting inclusive options for preschoolers. Leigh currently provides technical assistance and training for school districts and community providers in the areas of inclusion, literacy, and Response to Intervention.

Leigh is a mother of three, including one child with special educational needs. She is completing work on a Ph.D. in Teacher Education with a focus on literacy for young children with disabilities. Leigh is a past board member of the Northern New England Down Syndrome Congress and served on the Family Advisory Board for Region 8.

Projects

NH RESPONDS: NH RESPONDS is a five-year grant-funded initiative to improve the effectiveness of in-service and pre-service professional development for educators, particularly in the areas of literacy and positive behavior support. The NH Department of Education is partnering with UNH Institute on Disability and several institutions of higher education around the state along with NH Center on Effective Behavioral Interventions and Supports (NH CEBIS) on this initiative.

Amy Schwartz

PHONE: 603-862-2962
FAX: 603-862-0555
E-MAIL

Education

  • M.P.H., University of Hawaii, 1992
  • Certificate, Disability Studies, University of Hawaii Center on Disability Studies UAP Program, 1992
  • B.A., Anthropology, University of Hawaii, 1990

Professional Background

Amy Schwartz joined the Institute for Health Policy and Practice in December of 2001 and current manages the New England Genetics Collaborative and the SPARK project. Previously, she was the Vice President of Provider Network Management for the Neighborhood Health Plan, a Medicaid HMO headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts. She has held several management positions for health insurance companies in provider relations, contract negotiation and cost containment. She completed her graduate degree in public health at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, with a concentration in maternal and child health and a minor in disability studies. Amy has also completed a 40-hour course in mediation for health care executives. Her specific expertise and experience is in health insurance, business management, health care finance, contract negotiation and government programs. Amy has worked on projects with the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services Office of Medicaid and the Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services, the New Hampshire Insurance Department and Public Health.

Frank Sgambati

PHONE: 603-228-2084
FAX: 603-228-3270
E-MAIL

Education

  • M.S., Special Education, Southern Connecticut State University, 1976
  • B.A., Psychology, Unity College, 1971

Professional Background

For nearly 40 years, Frank has worked in the education field in a variety of educational and residential settings. He brings diverse experience to the Institute on Disability. Working to promote sustainable system change in schools, he has been instrumental in building the capacities in schools to support educational practices which include all students. Providing trainings for and technical assistance to teachers, therapists, paraprofessionals and administrators, he focuses on practical applications, the “how to” of achieving full participation for students with disabilities.

Frank has also been instrumental in the development and operation of the NH Leadership Series which supports self advocacy and leadership skills for individuals with disabilities and their families who wish to affect change at a personal, community, and statewide level. He currently is the Project Director of Youth Empowerment Services (YES), providing an intensive training series in the areas of leadership, self advocacy, and future planning for young adults ages 16-22 with and without disabilities.

He has co authored chapters in the books, Part of the Community and Tips for Inclusion Handbook by Brooks publishing and has been a contributor to several publications in the field of special education.  Frank has also conducted several workshops and trainings on “Schools are for ALL Kids” throughout the state, the nation, in the United Kingdom and most recently in Belarus.

Projects

Including Samuel: Dan Habib's new award-winning documentary film Including Samuel examines the educational and social inclusion of youth with disabilities. The film is built on the Habib family's efforts to include Samuel, 8, in all facets of their lives, a journey that transforms each of them. Including Samuel also features four other families with varied inclusion experiences, plus interviews with teachers, parents, students, and disability rights experts.

The New Hampshire Leadership Series is a seven-month training session for adults with disabilities and parents or family members of children with disabilities. It is based on the national Partners in Policymaking model. The Series is funded by the NH Department of Education, NH Developmental Disabilities Council, NH Division of Developmental Services, 12 NH Area Agencies, Annie Forts UP Fund Laconia Savings Bank, and donations from NH Leadership graduates.

Youth Empowerment Services: A three year initiative designed to develop and promote self advocacy and leadership skills in young adults with disabilities to help them prepare for the future.

Susan Shapiro

PHONE: 603-228-2084
FAX: 603-228-3270
E-MAIL

Education

  • Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study, Plymouth State University, in progress
  • M.Ed., Elementary Education, University of New Hampshire, 1990
  • B.A., Elementary and Special Education, Wittenberg University, 1987

Professional Background

Susan has worked in NH as a special education teacher, classroom teacher, and as one of NH's first Inclusion Facilitators. She spent many years working at the IOD providing technical assistance and training to schools on the topic of inclusive education. As adjunct faculty, she taught a course for ten years at UNH for seniors and graduate students on curricular accommodations and differentiated instruction. She has co-authored many of the IOD publications related to school equity and excellence. Currently, Susan teaches full-time in the education department at Plymouth State University.

Karen Smith

PHONE: 603-862-3454
FAX: 603-862-0555
E-MAIL

Education

  • B.A., Psychology, Coe College, 1982

Professional Background

Karen has been with the IOD since February 2008 as Project Coordinator with the New England Genetics Collaborative (NEGC). The NEGC is a cooperative agreement with HRSA intended to improve access to high quality genetic services in New England. Directly before this position Karen worked as a research assistant with the Crimes Against Children Center at UNH. Karen has a strong background in human services, having directed a Juvenile Intake program for eighteen years prior to working at UNH. This experience spanned child welfare, the juvenile court system and social services, and helped Karen learn to look across systems as well as to manage day to day activities. She now uses those skills here at the IOD.

Rae Sonnenmeier

PHONE: 603-862-1860
FAX: 603-862-0034
E-MAIL

Education

  • Ph.D., Speech Language Pathology and Augmentative Communication, State University of New York at Buffalo, 1999
  • M.A., Speech Language Pathology, State University of New York at Buffalo, 1984
  • B.S.Ed., Communicative Disorders, State University of New York College at Buffalo, 1980

Professional Background

Rae M. Sonnenmeier, Ph.D., is a Clinical Assistant Professor with the Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders and the Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire. Her research focuses on designing AAC systems to support students’ learning of the general education curriculum, including literacy skills. She teaches courses on AAC, autism spectrum disorders, and leadership in the field of developmental disabilities. Through her work with the Seacoast Child Development Clinic, she provides clinical assessment and consultation regarding best practices for using AAC to families, school personnel, and early intervention providers.

Projects

NH-LEASD: The aim of the New Hampshire Leadership Education in Autism Spectrum Disorders Program is to increase early screening, diagnosis, and effective family-centered treatment of children with ASD. The overall goal of the program is to increase the number of highly qualified health-care and education professionals who have the knowledge, skills, and leadership abilities to provide evidenced-based services for children with or suspected of having ASD and their families, including screening, referral, diagnosis, assessment, and interventions.

Kate Stimmell

PHONE: 603-862-4471 or 603-862-0561
FAX: 603-862-0034
E-MAIL

Education

  • ABD/Ph.D., University of New Hampshire
  • M.S.OT, Boston University, Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
  • B.S.OT, Boston University, Sargent College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, 1998

Professional Background

Kate is an occupational therapist with over 10 years clinical experience working with people of all ages.  She is a doctoral candidate in Education at UNH and her studies have focused on supporting children with autism spectrum disorders. Kate currently teaches in the Occupational Therapy Department and she is the project coordinator for the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) program.

Projects

NH-LEND: The NH LEND Program is a collaborative effort of the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth and the Institute on Disability, a University Center of Excellence in Disabilities (UCED), and the College of Health and Human Services at the University of New Hampshire. The program provides interdisciplinary leadership training to those who wish to enhance their knowledge and skills in working with children with neurodevelopmental disabilities or special health care needs and their families. Training experiences are individually designed to provide future leaders with both value-based and evidence-based training.

Vidya Sundar

PHONE: 603-862-0284
FAX: 603-862-0555
E-MAIL

Education

  • Ph.D., Rehabilitation Science, University at Buffalo, 2006
  • B.S., Occupational Therapy, Santosh College of Occupational Therapy, Dr. M.G.R University, India

Professional Background

Dr. Sundar joined the Institute on Disability in 2007 and is responsible for providing research and evaluation support to several projects at the IOD. Prior to this, Dr. Sundar was a post-doctoral associate at the Center for International Rehabilitation Research Information and Exchange (CIRRIE). She has extensive experience working with disability advocacy and community based agencies. Dr. Sundar’s expertise is in research and evaluation design, applied statistical techniques and measurement models in disability research. Her research interests include long term care specifically community living for the aging population and assistive technology for older adults.

Projects

Gaining Access: A multi year project in partnership with the NH Department of Education aimed at providing recommendations to revise and improve the NH Statewide Alternate Assessment System by better understanding the sensory profiles of students with severe cognitive disabilities in NH

NH Leadership Series: The goal of the New Hampshire Leadership Series is to support self-advocacy and leadership skills for individuals with disabilities and their family members who wish to affect change at a personal, community, and statewide level to support the full inclusion of individuals with disabilities in their schools and communities.

Transitions in Caregiving: The purpose of this project support nursing home diversion for persons identified to be at risk of spend down to Medicaid by (1) modernizing and transforming family caregiver support funds into flexible into consumer-directed service dollars managed locally by Caregiver Support Specialists at the ServiceLink Resource Centers (SLRC) and (2) by providing support and services and training to caregivers of older adults at risk of institutional placement

Youth Empowerment Services: A three year initiative designed to develop and promote self advocacy and leadership skills in young adults with disabilities to help them prepare for the future.

Jill Varney

PHONE: 603-862-3476
FAX: 603-862-0555
E-MAIL

Education

  • B.A., Women's Studies, University of New Hampshire, 2002

Professional Background

Jill has been with the Institute on Disability since 2007 as the publications coordinator/program support assistant. Her background includes experience in both the nonprofit and corporate settings, and her extensive customer service experience strongly supports her activities as the publications coordinator.

Janet Williamson

PHONE: 603-228-2084
FAX: 603-228-3270
E-MAIL

Professional Background

Janet has been employed at the Institute on Disability for the past 20 years in a number of capacities. She is currently involved in the coordination and implementation of the NH Leadership Series. Janet is a powerful advocate in the movements for inclusive education, consumer direction, self-determination, individualized budgets, and community-based supports and services. As the parent of a 38-year-old son with significant disabilities, Janet and her son have demonstrated how these values lead to a healthy, more satisfying, and independent way of life without increasing the resources necessary to provide supports and services.

Projects

NH Leadership Series: The goal of the New Hampshire Leadership Series is to support self-advocacy and leadership skills for individuals with disabilities and their family members who wish to affect change at a personal, community, and statewide level to support the full inclusion of individuals with disabilities in their schools and communities.

Therese Willkomm

PHONE: 603-862-1056
FAX: 603-862-0555
E-MAIL

Education

  • Nationally Certified Assistive Technology Practitioner (ATP), 1997
  • Ph.D., Rehabilitation Science and Technology, University of Pittsburgh, 1997
  • M.S., Vocational Rehabilitation, Job Development, Job Placement, Drake University, 1984
  • B.S., Vocational Rehabilitation, University of Wisconsin-Stout, 1982
  • B.S., Special Education K-12, University of Wisconsin-Stout, 1982

Professional Background

Dr. Willkomm is currently the Director of the New Hampshire Statewide Assistive Technology Program (ATinNH) with the Institute on Disability and a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy. In addition, Dr. Willkomm is the coordinator of the Graduate Certificate in Assistive Technology Program and the coordinator of the Disability Studies Minor. She has been in engage in providing/managing assistive technology services for over 28 years in the areas of home, school, and worksite modifications for persons with disabilities. She is known nationally and internationally as “The MacGyver of Assistive Technology" and for her work in rural rehabilitation technology. Dr. Willkomm has presented in 38 states, five foreign counties, and three U.S. Territories and authored 22 publications including her most recent book titled “Make A Difference Today – Assistive Technology Solutions in Minutes."

Projects

New Hampshire Assistive Technology Partnership Project: The goal of the New Hampshire Assistive Technology Partnership Project is to increase access to assistive technology through the creation and support of consumer driven systems for the provision of state-of-the-art assistive technology products and services for citizens with disabilities in the state of New Hampshire.

Michelle Winchester

PHONE: 603-228-2084
FAX: 603-228-3270
E-MAIL

Education

  • J.D., Franklin Pierce Law Center, 1998
  • Graduate Work, Nutritional Biochemistry, 1976-1977
  • B.A., Biology, St. Michael’s College, 1976

Professional Background

Michelle provides legal and policy analysis for a variety of projects at the Institute on Disability.  Prior to joining the IOD in 2010, Michelle was a health and long-term care policy analyst with the Institute for Health, Law, and Ethics at the Franklin Pierce Law Center (a UCED partner) for eleven years and continues to work with the IHLE.  Her work employs legal and policy analysis to research, report, comment, and propose recommendations relative to the impacts of federal and state law, including government funding sources, on the integration and provision of quality health and social services to the people of New Hampshire.  A primary focus of her work has been to enhance the home- and community-based long term care infrastructure for children and adults in New Hampshire.  Additionally, from 2006 to 2009, Michelle was a member of New Hampshire’s team in the national Health Information and Privacy Collaborative, assessing state law and policy on issues related to electronic health information use, disclosure, and privacy.   Other areas of particular focus include:  Medicaid law and policy; managed care issues affecting people with disabilities; and legal and financial planning for individuals with disabilities and their families.