I draw on my lived experience and skills to help families grow and thrive.
Advocacy Career
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I am an accomplished project director and training facilitator with over 25 years of experience working at the local, state, and national levels to improve systems and empower families of children with behavioral or special health care needs.
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Family Voices: Project Director for the Family Engagement and Leadership in Systems of Care project, leading national initiatives to raise family voices and improve care systems.
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Maryland Department of Health: Program Chief for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs, administering and managing grants to health departments and nonprofits.
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Maryland Coalition of Families: Professional Development/Training Manager and Family Engagement/Training Specialist, focusing on training, advocacy, and family leadership.
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Parents’ Place of Maryland: Family-to-Family Health Information Center and Health Project Coordinator, assisting families navigating healthcare systems and facilitating trainings.
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Johns Hopkins Pediatric Epilepsy Center: Volunteer, offering peer support and coaching for families starting the ketogenic diet for pediatric epilepsy.
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Maryland State Autism Workgroup: Participant, appointed by the governor.​
Artistic Pursuits
I'm also a mixed-media mosaic and collage artist.
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Creative expression: I use my art to help myself and others process mental health challenges. My mosaics often represent broken pieces coming back together in a beautiful new way.
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Workshops: I teach community art classes and workshops through a variety of organizations in Maryland, including the Baltimore County Arts Guild.
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Storytelling: In 2024, I shared a personal story about finding lost love at a Stoop Storytelling event, which was featured on WYPR, a local NPR affiliate.