This year, three NH Leadership Series graduates became part of the NH-ME LEND 2018 Program. Their leadership skills will continue to grow and strengthen in their year in LEND. Congratulations to all of them on their acceptance into the program and for all they will continue to contribute to NH families and the disability community.
Kori Boeckeler – NH Family Trainee
My background is in healthcare and education. I started my career as a chair side dental assistant, in a private practice, and in a community health center. This is where I developed a passion for providing oral health services to medically underserved populations. Eventually I moved on to an educational environment in a medically underserved area in Lowell, MA at Middlesex Community College where I was the Dental Programs Clinical Operations Manager. I have also worked for the State of New Hampshire, Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Medicaid Business and Policy, and Department of Public Health Services, as the Medicaid/CHIP Dental Benefits Administrator and Oral Health Program Coordinator. Currently, I am employed as a full-time faculty member in the Health Information Management Program at Manchester Community College. I am a 2010 graduate of the Institute on Disability, NH Leadership Series. I am motivated by helping others, and learning new skills. As the parent of a 26 year old with an intellectual disability, I often think about his future. I am particularly concerned about healthcare disparities within the intellectually and developmentally disabled community. I would like to see the development of a healthcare delivery system that is customized to the needs of the IDD community and provides a high standard of health, wellness resources, and oral health care services across the life span. I am also very interested in community living for adults with intellectual disabilities, and finding cooperative housing solutions that provide a high quality of life. I have earned a certificate in Dental Assisting and an Associate’s Degree in Health Science from NHTI-Concord’s Community College in 1993, a Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Health Education from Granite State College in 2003, a Master’s Degree in Education in Adult Learning and Development from Plymouth State University in 2006, and a certificate in Health Information Management from Alabama State University in 2015.
Julie Smith – NH Family Trainee
I am joining the 2018 NH-ME LEND trainee cohort as a family support specialist and parent of a young man on the autism spectrum. I came to New Hampshire 19 years ago, leaving behind a 10-year career as a clothing designer to focus on the upbringing of my new baby. Born 9 weeks prematurely, our family life was different from the start. Our story includes many supports, services and collaborative efforts to build a productive and fulfilling life for our son who was diagnosed with autism in 2001. Learning as much as I could about autism, I attended numerous trainings, including the NH Leadership Series. I joined my area agency family council and state work groups on ASD to improve the quality of life for individuals on the spectrum across the life span. I was forever present on my son’s educational team, working to ensure his progress. Identifying parent involvement as key to every child’s success, I started a group for parents of young children on the spectrum in my local school district in 2006. Two years ago, I revived and expanded this group to address the many concerns of parents with transition age youths and young adults on the spectrum in the seacoast. After working as the Family Support and Clinic Coordinator at the Seacoast Child Development Clinic in the NH-ME LEND program since 2009, I am looking forward to developing my leadership skills further as a trainee. I value the time I spent with the clinic team, children, and parents preparing them for developmental evaluation and supporting them through diagnosis. I also loved the mission of sharing my knowledge of family centered care by mentoring LEND trainees. I eagerly look forward to the future and developing my path to continue supporting families.
Rebecca Mitchell-Ward – NH Education/Family Trainee
My name is Rebecca Mitchell and I am a graduate of Rivier University with a BA in Human Development with a concentration in Early Childhood Education and Special Education. I am currently working towards my MA in Elementary and Special Education. I am a NH Leadership graduate of 2017. I am the Vice President for the NH Down Syndrome Association as well as have a seat on the Department of Education’s State Advisory Committee. I currently work as a substitute in the Hillsborough Deering School District and worked previously in the Milford School District. Prior to that I was an assistant preschool teacher as well as a co-teacher. I also am a 2017 graduate of the Parent Information Center Volunteer Advocacy program. I live in Deering NH with my two children. My oldest son is 16 and was born with Down Syndrome and has hearing loss. My younger son is 13 and has ADHD. Both are involved with our local Boy Scout troop. My older son is extremely involved with Special Olympics (bowling, basketball, snowshoeing, and track) and also does the unified sports through his school. My younger son recently joined 4H and has started to get involved in acting. They are the reason I keep moving forward and want to help others. They are my heart and soul and I am so proud of them.
