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Amy Keenan-Amago is the founder and director of The Arc Studio - a visual arts program and open studio space for artists with developmental disabilities at The Arc of The Piedmont in Charlottesville, VA. Amy is an artist, educator, and doctoral student at Virginia Commonwealth University. She has taught art for over two decades in public and private schools, universities, museums, and art centers. She lives with her husband, two sons, and one cute cattle dog in Charlottesville.
Kayla Diggs Brody is a Project Director and Health Content Co-Leader at the Partnership for People with Disabilities. She manages state-level health-related projects involving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). She assisted with the adaptation of the adult-based Project LEAP curricula for a teen audience and an online setting. Her passion is the inclusion of disability topics in healthcare professional educational programs.
Tahnee Causey completed her Master of Science in Genetic Counseling at the University of South Carolina School of Medicine. She has been practicing as a genetic counselor for 27 years. She joined the faculty at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) in 2008. She is the Program Director for the VCU MS Genetic Counseling Program. She is also the Genetic Counseling faculty representative for the Virginia LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities) Program.
John Cimino is an attorney with the disAbility Law Center of Virginia where his work focuses on, among other things, Medicaid Waiver services and appeals. He has experience representing Medicaid Waiver members in State Fair Hearings and frequently advises members and their families on their rights when a member is denied a Medicaid service, or has her Medicaid services reduced or revoked.
Teresa Cogar, M.Ed., BCBA, LBA is a Training and Technical Assistance Associate for Virginia Commonwealth University – Autism Center for Education (VCU-ACE). She earned her Master’s Degree in Special Education from James Madison University. Teresa has worked in Virginia serving individuals with disabilities since 1998. She has worked as an educator in Virginia public schools supporting students with ASD at the elementary and secondary level. She has also provided positive behavior support to adults across Virginia. Teresa’s passion is working with individuals at all levels to support their hopes and dreams and instill in them the components of self-determination to live the quality of life they want and deserve
Sensei Carla Dannouf is a 4th Degree Black Belt and the Director of Student Affairs for the International Silkisondan Karate Association. Her wealth of experience in education and her degree in psychology make her an invaluable resource for instructors, students and parents. Sensei Dannouf has been training in martial arts for over 20 years. She has been a black belt since 1993. Carla teaches the children’s and women’s classes. Carla has been a competitive fighter and Kata enthusiast since the late 80’s. It is clear to anyone watching her classes that she enjoys teaching and has a great time with her students.
Marie Fraticelli is the Housing Coordinator at the Virginia Dept. of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services where she has been working since 2016.
In her job she is helping individuals with Developmental Disabilities as well as individuals with Behavioral Health needs by providing housing subsidies and working to generate more affordable options in their communities.
Marie has a rich background in the disability field having worked with people in Virginia living in group homes, serving as a case manager and the role she describes as the most rewarding was Working with parents and individuals as a liaison with Central Virginia Training Center and Region Ten Community Services Board during the shutdown of the Training Centers in Virginia.” She has a bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration and a minor in Marketing from Mary Baldwin University and has a Master of Art in Human Services from Liberty University. Marie is a champion of inclusion of people whose opinions and preferences are typically discounted or undervalued. Marie wants people to have confidence in who they are and to have a say in how they live their lives.
Kenneth Haines is the Regional Program Manager at the Department of Behavioral health and
Developmental Services (DBHDS). Ken has worked with individuals with developmental disabilities for more than 30 years in residential settings, as a support coordinator, and at DBHDS. Ken oversees the slot assignment processes and procedures for new slots and attrition slots and co-manages the SIS assessment program.
Taylor Thomas-Harris is employed at SOAR 365 as a Direct Support Professional, and she lives with Cerebral Palsy. Taylor teaches LEAP: Leadership for Empowerment and Abuse Prevention to teens and also trains about developing person-centered health profiles for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She is passionate about advocating for children and adults with disabilities. Her goal is to continue working with those in the disabled community in hopes of making their lives better.
Allyson Hart lives with Autosomal Recessive Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia, similar to Cerebral Palsy, my entire life. I have lived independently since I was 26 years old, never allowing my disability to hinder my dreams and goals. I was crowned Ms. Wheelchair Virginia in 2017, graduated from Roanoke College in 2021 with a degree in creative writing, and earned a general studies diploma from Virginia Western Community College in 2018. Although it sometimes takes me longer to manage daily living skills, I always get the job done. I use a motorized wheelchair and the RADAR transit system to navigate my community, with occasional assistance from friends or family who drive my accessible van. I love drawing, coloring, making crafts, attending church and bible study at Fellowship Community Church in Salem, VA, and buddying with children with disabilities once a month. I also enjoy working out and eating healthy.
Mathew Hudgins is dedicated to helping anyone in need, treating everyone as if they were my own family. I have two Chihuahuas, Duke and Poppy, whom I've raised since they were puppies. My hobbies include fishing, gaming, participating in video game tournaments, acting, and enhancing my computer skills. I enjoy working for Hexed Haunted House, building battle bots, and creating YouTube videos. With 18 years of work experience, including in the food industry and at Virginia Tech, I am adept at planning ahead and offering mentorship.
Nikida Cromartie-James is a dedicated advocate for children of all abilities, currently serving as an Outreach and Inclusion Specialist for the Virginia Down Syndrome Association. In her role, she focuses on supporting young children aged 0 to 6 years old and the caregivers and educators who play a vital role in their lives within the greater Richmond area. Nikida's primary objective is to enhance the inclusion of children facing behavioral challenges, developmental delays, or disabilities by offering coaching and technical assistance to childcare centers, in-home daycare providers, and early childhood home visitors. With over 20 years of experience in social work, Nikida brings a wealth of expertise to her work, having earned her master's degree in social work from Virginia Commonwealth University. Beyond her professional endeavors, she is also a passionate advocate for her own daughter, further fueling her commitment to championing the rights and well-being of children with diverse needs.
Maureen Kennedy currently holds the position of Supports Intensity Scale ® (SIS ® ) Quality Manager at the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS). Prior to her role at DBHDS, she served as a SIS Master Trainer at Henrico Area Mental Health and Developmental Services. Her tenure at DBHDS has been characterized by efforts to integrate the SIS into the person-centered planning process and uphold SIS quality standards. Notably, she is contributing to the initiative to introduce the Supports Intensity Scale-Adult Version ® 2nd Edition (SIS-A ® 2nd Edition) in Virginia
Beth Kessler has been working in the field of human services since 2007. In 2021, Beth founded B Kessler Consulting where she supported government, academic, and non-profit organizations across the country to meaningfully engage people and families within the disability community so they could lead and guide transformational systems change efforts.
Beth started her career in Washington, DC working for Ketchum and serving government agency clients like the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services helping to increase public access to information and support. When Beth moved to Oregon in 2010, she began working for, and later leading, the Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities, where she founded the Oregon Consortium of Family Networks. Beth has also served as a subject matter expert for the UMKC Center for Human Development Charting the LifeCourse Nexus, and the National Community of Practice on Supporting Families. Beth's work is grounded in the principles of Asset Based Community Development, strength-based frameworks such as Person Centered Thinking and Charting the LifeCourse, and cultural humility. She lives in Charlottesville, Virginia with her daughter, Sophie, her husband, Jordan, and office mates: Louie and Lolli(pop) her dogs.
Gina Koke has been a Customized Rate Technical Consultant for the Commonwealth of Virginia for 4 years. The Customized Rate provides increased funding to support approved Individuals within the FIS and CL waivers and whose support needs fall outside the parameters of the standard rate. Prior to DBHDS, Gina has spent her career of over 26 years administering programs to Individuals with Developmental Disabilities and Serious Mental Illnesses in the private sector. These programs include residential, day, employment, and community guide services. As a passionate advocate for people with disabilities she was led to serve on Local Human Rights Committees for Richmond and Hanover, as both Vice-Chair and Chair for more than 7 years. Additionally, she was previously appointed by Governor Ralph Northam to serve on the State Rehabilitation Council for the Blind and Visually Impaired. She has also experienced firsthand, through the journey of her family members, the challenges that occur with obtaining supports for special needs. In her current role, she provides in-depth technical assistance and community training throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia for those providers seeking to support individuals with exceptional needs.
Sarah Lineberry is a Program Evaluation Associate at the Partnership for People with Disabilities at Virginia Commonwealth University. At the Partnership, Sarah supports projects that promote community participation and inclusion, health and well-being, and education for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their families. Sarah also co-leads the health content group at the Partnership and is responsible. Sarah is especially interested in research that actively includes people with IDD as co-researchers and leaders.
Mahalia "Mally" Dryden-Mason is the retired Fair Housing Training Specialist as of March 30, 2024, where she was the first and only trainer at the Department of Professional & Occupational Regulation. She has traveled all over the state of Virginia sharing the message of Fair Housing for the past 21. "Many of our residents have no idea that they have rights and responsibilities under the Virginia Fair Housing Law that was enacted 52 years ago.
Joseph M. Macbeth is the Chief Executive Officer and President of the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) and has worked in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities for 41 years - beginning as a direct support professional. Macbeth is recognized as an international leader in the advocacy & movement to recognize direct support as a profession and for the past decade, has been a highly sought-after contributor on the workforce challenges that affects the intellectual and developmental disability service system.
After working for a New York trade association for more than a decade where he helped the state lead the nation in direct support workforce initiatives. The impact of his work in New York led to Macbeth being hired as the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals first employee. During the ensuing 13 years he has built a membership of more than 150 service provider organizations representing nearly 60,000 direct support professionals, partnered with other national organizations to influence public policy reform and created the first national certification program using a digital badge platform called the E-Badge Academy where thousands of direct support professionals currently receive recognition for the demonstration and objective review of their skills. Today, the NADSP employs twelve fulltime employees and dozens of contractors working across North America.
Macbeth co-authored the Report to the President, “America’s Direct Support Workforce Crisis: Effects on People with Intellectual Disabilities, Families, Communities and the U.S. Economy” for the President’s Committee for People with Intellectual Disabilities (PCPID, 2017), he was the Issue Editor for Impact: “The Direct Support Workforce and People with Intellectual, Developmental, and Other Disabilities” (University of Minnesota, 2018) and produced an award winning Realistic Job Preview titled "Working as a Direct Support Professional: We Get It Done" (NYSACRA 2011). While working in New York, Macbeth partnered with the State University of New York (SUNY) by assisting more than 500 direct support professionals to advance their college education through the "Disability Studies Certificate".
He is a guest faculty at the National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities (NLCDD) and currently sits on the College of Direct Support's National Advisory Board. In 2016, Macbeth was appointed and approved by the NYS Senate as a Member of the Advisory Council for the New York State Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs. In 2019, he was recognized as a National Honoree, (2020 National Honors/AAIDD) by the National Historic Recognition Project for significant national contributions in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities in the US between 2000 and 2020. In 2021, Macbeth was recognized by AAIDD with their Exceptional Service to the Field Award for his decades-long contributions and accomplishments to I/DD systems. Most recently, Macbeth was re-appointed by President Joe Biden to the President's Committee for Intellectual Disabilities (PCPID) for a second two-year term where he co-chairs the sub-committee for workforce shortages. He lives in North Bennington, VT.
Jesse Monroe Jesse shares that he was born 45 years ago with a physical disability called Arthrogryposis, which severely constricts the movements of joints and muscles. Although he has full feeling, he has no use of his upper or lower extremities, except for his head and neck. Since 2017, he has lived independently in an apartment in Norfolk Virginia with DD Waiver services. He is an advocate both statewide and locally for people with disabilities – including as a past board member for The Arc of Virginia, as a member of a state self-advocacy alliance called “A Life Like Yours” and as a member of a local advocacy group, Our Voices. Over the years he has worked alongside fellow self-advocates on many issues, with some important successes including increasing Medicaid waiver slots and raising the reimbursement rates for providers of services. He aims to fight for what is right.
Teri Morgan is the Executive Director of the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities. For the past 35 years, she has dedicated her career to learning from and supporting individuals with disabilities and their families. She began in Michigan as a residential counselor and supervisor for a non-profit provider. In the early 90s, after moving to Richmond, she managed various home and community-based services.
In 2001, Teri joined the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities as a program manager,
overseeing statewide training programs and working on housing and transportation policy. She also spent six years at the Department of Medical Assistance Services, focusing on waiver operations and policy. Teri holds a BS from Eastern Michigan University and an MBA with a concentration in Healthcare Management from Western Governors University. She lives in Montpelier with her husband and enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Heather Norton is the Acting Deputy Commissioner for Community Services at the Virginia Dept. of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. She has been with the Department since 2014. Heather has been working in the field of developmental services for the past 35 years. Heather started her career in developmental services in Pennsylvania working for a variety of providers delivering both developmental and behavioral health services. She relocated to Virginia in 2004 working for one of Virginia’s state training centers for the first 2.5 years. Heather then worked for the Chesterfield Community Services Board first as the manager of employment services and then as the Assistant Director of Community Services. Heather has spent a large portion of her career focused on individuals with dual diagnosis and developing appropriate crisis services and supports for individuals with developmental disabilities
Joy Ocetnik is the Director of Support Services for The Arc of Greater Prince William. Over her nearly 30-year career with The Arc, she has held various roles such as Recreation Director, Training Coordinator, Volunteer Coordinator, and overall assistance with management. Recently she led a grant initiative that provided nearly 60 free iPads with training to underserved teens and adults with disabilities in the community, enabling them to stay connected. She will be supervising this year’s new Sentara Cares Grant for individuals transitioning from high school and beyond.
Katherine (Kate) Olson is a Part-Time Self Advocate Coordinator with The Arc of Virginia. Kate is a native of Richmond and attended Midlothian High School. Katherine is very passionate about her job advocating for disability rights and helping with The Arc of Virginia’s advocacy campaigns while working to educate elected officials on issues important to the Disability Community. She is a member of the Board for the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities, a graduate of the LEND Program, and The Arc of Virginia's representative to multiple task forces and committees giving a voice to Virginians with disabilities. Katherine loves her job, the people she works with, and fighting for A Life Like Yours for all people with disabilities.
Ashley Africa-Osborne started as a Tech for Independent Living Program Coordinator at The Arc of Northern Virginia in March 2022 and now serves as the Community Outreach and Client Engagement Specialist. Ashley's role involves developing, training, and assisting individuals in utilizing Arc2Independence to promote independence among people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Additionally, she facilitates webinars and events, conducts outreach within the community, and establishes collaborative partnerships with other organizations. She has spent the past eleven years working with people with disabilities and has loved making a difference in their lives. Ashley earned a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a minor in Special Education from Radford University. Additionally, she holds a Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis with a concentration in Autism from Ball State University.
Jennifer Palmer currently has over 20 years as a Registered Nurse and as a parent of a child with a disability, Jennifer has a unique perspective regarding personal relationships, complex needs, sexual health, and risk of abuse issues. What started as a parental desire to support her child has combined with her professional experiences to fuel the fire that lights her passion for advocating for those with disabilities to have healthy, meaningful relationships with those they love. Jennifer is a LEND and Partner in Policymaking alumni as well as a forensic interviewer and sexuality and relationship educator for those with developmental disabilities.
Hallie Pence is the Executive Director of Right Help, Right Now for Governor Glenn Youngkin. Hallie’s previous position was also in Governor Youngkin’s administration as a Senior Policy Advisor for Policy and Legislative Affairs. She worked for almost six years for several Virginia Representatives in Congress. A graduate of the University of Virginia, Hallie has a double major in Government and Philosophy with a minor in Buddhism.
Jade Presnell is a licensed social worker with graduate degrees in psychology and social work. Jade has over a decade of clinical practice experience supporting persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities in various capacities. She is currently a doctoral candidate and adjunct faculty at Indiana University School of Social Work (Indianapolis) where she engages in research and teaching to build more inclusive and equitable communities. As an emerging scholar, her research interests include identifying strategies for advancing social inclusion and improving direct support workforce well-being, advancing trauma-informed care, and fostering disability-affirming, rights-based social work education and practice. She is also the proud parent of an awesome son with Down syndrome.
Shay Ruff is a Radford University graduate with a Bachelor’s in Social Work. She has been a self and community advocate in Roanoke, VA for nine years. She has worked in the field of Disability Rights professionally working with individuals and groups in a variety of roles for six years. Currently, she works as a Peer Mentor for The Arc of Southside. She is a member of the self-advocacy Alliance “A Life Like Yours". She has over 40 years of lived experience as an individual with Cerebral Palsy. Advocacy in all forms is important to her because she believes that everyone should be seen as equal and have equal access to services that will help individuals to build the lives they want.
Ashley Schalick is the Senior Program Specialist on the Tech for Independent Living team at The Arc of Northern Virginia. In this role, she develops virtual custom lessons to assist individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) in navigating daily routines and challenges. She also oversees the management of the team's app, Arc2Independence. Ashley joined The Arc of Northern Virginia in July 2022 as a program coordinator. Ashley began her professional career as a program facilitator at a private school, where she provided direct support to individuals with disabilities. There, she gained valuable experience in vocational programs, life skills instruction, and behavior management support. Ashley holds a Bachelor's degree in hospitality management from the University of South Carolina. Before dedicating herself to serving individuals with IDD, she worked in hotel sales and events.
Beth Sellers is the Assistant Director of Educational Programming for TechVision. Beth provides education and assistive technology services to students who are blind or have low vision throughout the U. S. She is also the parent of three children with disabilities, ages 9-17. Beth serves on the State Rehabilitation Center for the Dept. of the Blind and Visually Impaired, the Executive Board of her local CIL (Valley Associates for Independent Living), and volunteers at several local organizations including a nonprofit thrift shop and the local SPCA where she fosters neonate kittens. When she is not working, volunteering, or acting as a taxi driver for her children, Beth likes to travel and listen to audiobooks.
Taylin Sellers is a 17-year-old rising Junior at Harrisonburg High School. Taylin is the first fully blind student in recent memory to graduate with a standard diploma from her school, and certainly the first blind student with additional disabilities to be fully integrated into the general education curriculum. Because of this, Taylin has become a master at self-determination, advocating for herself both in and out of the classroom and using assistive technology in creative ways to make the curriculum work for her. In her spare time, Taylin enjoys singing in the choir, traveling with her family, participating in many programs with the Dept. of the Blind and Visually Impaired, and raising foster kittens with the local SPCA. She is also an I'm Determined Youth Leader.
Mathew Shapiro Matthew Shapiro is a 2013 graduate of VCU where he completed a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies degree. Throughout college he participated in several internships including opportunities with The White House, The U.S. Department of Transportation as well as with several Virginia area disability organizations. In 2014, he developed a disability consulting company called 6 Wheels Consulting. It is the goal of 6 Wheels Consulting, LLC to work with businesses of all types to help advance their understanding of disability culture. In his free time, he enjoys learning about politics, watching sports, and hanging out with his dog, VP.
Lisa Terry Infant Mental Health Mentor-Research/Faculty, IMH-E®, is a professional development consultant at the Partnership for People with Disabilities, Department of Education, Virginia Commonwealth University. Lisa provides support for the design and implementation of professional development activities for early interventionists in Virginia. She has worked in EI for over 15 years in various roles as an educator, service coordinator, and clinical supervisor. Lisa hosts the podcast, Meaningful Moments-Connecting Infant Mental Health to Early Intervention. Lisa is a certified trainer in the Growing Brain, a ZERO TO THREE curriculum. She maintains endorsement as an IMH Mentor-Research/Faculty. Lisa is the co-facilitator for DEC's Infant Mental Health Community of Practice and aRPy Ambassador. Lisa remains dedicated to promoting and supporting the emotional well-being of all families.
Emily Wydle Turner's work in Human Services began in 2003 when her youngest son was diagnosed with a developmental disability. From that point, she found her passion in community development, systems change, and advocacy. After getting involved in Legislative advocacy as a parent, Emilie graduated from Partners in Policymaking and founded one of the first funded family networks at the inception of the Oregon Consortium of Family Networks. She is passionate about breaking down barriers and facilitating communities that are welcoming to all who live in them.
She went on to serve as the CEO of Living Opportunities, an innovative and community-centered provider agency in Southern Oregon that helps people with intellectual and developmental disabilities work in community-based supported employment and thrive in their own apartments or homes. She also provided technical assistance to organizations transitioning their “sheltered workshops” to community-based integrated employment. Emilie Later served as the Policy Director for the Oregon Council on Developmental Disabilities, where her primary role was to develop and support coalition-building for policy and systems change. With 5 grown children, Emilie lives in Milwaukee, Oregon with her husband, Brett, and her office mates: Lupin and Willow, the cats, and Tonks the dog.
Tracy Walters is a team member in the Office of Child and Family Services at the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services. She currently serves as Virginia’s Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Coordinator. Tracy has devoted 35 years of service to Early Childhood Education and Early Intervention with a focus on Mental Health for young children in the last 12 years. Tracy has served children and families in both the public and private sectors throughout her career. Some of Tracy’s engagements beyond her state appointment include serving as the Board President for the Virginia Association for Infant Mental Health, serving on the Virginia Mental Health Access Project Advisory Board, and being an adjunct faculty member at Virginia Commonwealth University. Tracy engages in Speaker appointments at both National and local conferences as an advocate for Infant and Early childhood mental health for our youngest citizens. Before her current engagement, she served as the Site Director for VCU Health Systems Family Care Services Unit for 28 years working with children, families, and educators. Tracy’s work also encompassed studying the Reggio Emilia Schools in Italy and working for Richmond City and Chesterfield County public schools as an Early Childhood Special Educator. Tracy is truly passionate about providing information and education on the importance of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health. She views IECMH work as vital to a child’s overall health and development and believes that it serves as a leveraging tool for social justice. She resides in the City of Richmond and enjoys spending time with her family especially her grandson, supporting local businesses, gardening, reading, and is a patron of the Arts.
Brittany Watson is a native of Hampton, Virginia, Brittany is the Founder of Bloom, Baby! Birthing Services. As a perinatal support provider, she channels her passion for assisting pregnant and postpartum birthing individuals and children aged 0-5 along with their families through the pregnancy, labor, and childbirth periods. With a background spanning public health, birth work, and now social work, Brittany has gained insights into the pivotal role of support, care, and access in shaping family outcomes. A two-time graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, she believes that birth work is truly a labor of love.
Rashawn Webster is the Transition Coordinator at The Arc of Greater Prince William. Rashawn is also heavily involved in the agency’s numerous recreational offerings throughout the year. He facilitates inclusive activities to help people with developmental disabilities (ID/DD) integrate into the community. He has also been involved in starting transitional services by building partnerships to bridge the gap from high school to life after high school. He is passionate about fostering a sense of belonging and improving mental and physical well-being. This includes three new programs: The Core 4 Club, The Bridge Program, and Project Engagement, all aimed at teens and young adults.
Charlene H. Wentland received her B.A. in Psychology and a Masters Degree in Special Education in Emotional Disturbance, both from the College of William and Mary. She has a state endorsement as a Positive Behavior Supports Facilitator in Virginia and she is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Charlene has been a special education teacher, staff trainer, support staff, and administrator in special education for over 20 years. Charlene was an administrator at SECEP in Norfolk, VA. She joined the VCU-ACE team in 2011 and has worked in both the Embedded TA program and the CBAT program most recently, where she received training in addressing interfering behaviors. Charlene has received extensive leadership training in coaching and mentoring through the Santa Cruz New Teacher Center Program. She is currently retired and lives in Williamsburg, VA.
Telisha Woodfin is a Richmond, Virginia native, and the Founder of LIVLoved Postpartum Support, which provides postpartum doula services, coaching, and infant massage education to families with children from birth to age 5. A two-time graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University, Telisha is dedicated to fostering strong familial bonds through a holistic approach.
Certified as a Growing Brain Curriculum trainer (ZERO TO THREE curriculum), Infant Massage Educator, and Postpartum Doula, Telisha also has extensive training in Trauma-Informed Care, Practice-Based Coaching, and Perinatal Mental Health. With over 20 years of experience in early intervention, mental health, and developmental disabilities, she brings deep insight and understanding to each family's parenting journey.
LIVLoved embodies Telisha’s mission to ensure families feel seen, heard, and supported, encapsulated in her mantra: give love, receive love, live loved.
Molly Dellinger-Wray is part of the Partnership for People with Disabilities, a university center for excellence in developmental disabilities. As a former special educator and mom to a child who used special education services, she has participated on both sides of the IEP table. For the past 15 years, she has coordinated and directed three projects that assist children and adults with disabilities with issues surrounding violence, abuse, sexual assault, and neglect. Together with a team of families and professionals, she helped to develop and research LEAP: Leadership for Empowerment and Abuse Prevention, an evidence-based intervention for adults with disabilities. In addition to published academic journals, Molly is a regular contributor to Parenting Special Needs Magazine. Molly is an endorsed Positive Behavior Support Facilitator and a certified trainer for Person-Centered Thinking and Stewards of Children. Her goal is to help everyone enjoy healthy relationships.
Ashley Wright has been working with the Virginia legislature for the past 13 years. She first served as Legislative Director for a Virginia State Senate office for over five years, where she focused on constituent services, the legislative process, education, and health policy, and acted as liaison with other state agencies and departments. During this time she also gained extensive experience with political campaigns, serving in both coordinating and Campaign Management roles. Since 2015, Ashley has worked in legislative consulting and state lobbying - and has had the privilege of being a partner of The Arc of Virginia since the 2017 General Assembly Session. She is a graduate of both the Virginia Community College System and Regent University.
Speaker Biographies