APSE - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Leader
• Director of Membership and Chapter Engagement

Christa P. Rainwater is a passionate leader committed to social justice, member development and engagement, and equity and inclusion. Christa began her career as an educator - teaching Introduction to Women's Studies courses at the collegiate level, sociology, geography, and American Government at the middle and high school levels. In her most recent role at the International City-County Management Association (ICMA), Christa led ICMA's women's initiatives, drove equity and inclusion programming, chapter development and engagement for ICMA's student chapters and Women Leading Government state chapters. Christa brings membership experience, project and organizational management skills, and relationship-building capabilities - as well as a strong personal desire to advocate for people with disabilities and the people who support them. She has a master's degree in political science with a concentration in feminist theory from the University of South Florida and a master's degree in Secondary Education from George Washington University. Christa lives in Arlington, Virginia with her husband, son, and two dogs.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Executive Committee
• Regional Delegate - Southeast

Job Titles:

• Southeast Regional Delegate

Over 20 years ago, Courtney Horton started in the field as an Employment Specialist, and knew from day one that this would be her career. She was 18 and it was her first day of college, where she found a job on campus in the Students with Disabilities Program, which led her to the world of supported employment. Horton has taken part in moving facility-based programs into the community through the advocacy of integrated employment. She has worked in the areas of case management, special education, CAP services, transitional services, and adapted physical education. Horton received her bachelor's degree in Human Services Management from the University of California Irvine and master's degree in Public Administration from Phoenix University. Horton currently volunteers with Special Olympics, Camp Care in Nevada, Gathering Place, Transition Advisory Board for New Hanover County Schools, and the Vocational Rehabilitation steering committee. When she is not spending time with her college-age daughter, she enjoys traveling, off-roading, swimming in the ocean, and dinners with friends.

Job Titles:

• Chairman of the Policy Committee
• Member of the Executive Committee
• Treasurer / Missouri Division of Developmental Disabilities

Job Titles:

• Director of Professional Development and Training

Erica spent the first half of her career as a teacher in an integrated classroom from 2000-2006. She then worked in the private sector, advancing to Director of Educational Programs at Falls View Academy where she developed program opportunities through Supplemental Educational Services (SES) and Extended Learning Programs (ELT) across the state for students with disabilities and underserved populations. In 2015 she began working in Vocational Rehabilitation Community Employment at the Center for Human Services Education, create materials and provide trainings to school personnel on options for students with disabilities after high school. As a Special Education teacher herself she was unaware of how many young adults with disabilities are unemployed. Bridging the gap between the high school and college/work became her passion. In her most recent role as the Associate Director of the CHSE, she had the opportunity to oversee contracts that provided training and education to agencies that provide Supported Employment across NYS. A highlight of this position was collaborating and organizing the yearly NYS APSE Conference in Lake Placid, NY. Erica and her husband live in Fairport, NY with their three children. In her free time she volunteers as a Parent Representative on the Committee for Special Education.

Job Titles:

• Director of the Employment Services at Hope Haven Area Development Center in Burlington, IA.

Eva Castillo is the Director of the Employment Services at Hope Haven Area Development Center in Burlington, IA. Eva has worked in Supported Employment her entire employment at Hope Haven, since 2003. She has upheld the role of a job coach, job developer, and program manager. In 2013, Eva was elected to the Iowa APSE Board of Directors, serving in the role of President and currently the Treasurer. In 2014, Eva obtained her CESP credential. Eva is active in her community, serving on the Chamber Ambassadors, Board member of the Greater Burlington Partnership Chamber of Commerce, Parent Teacher Organization President. Eva's passion is prompting Employment First not only in Southeast Iowa but throughout the country. It is important that all individuals are given the opportunity to work in competitive employment. Professionally Eva has assisted many individuals transition out of Sheltered Workshops and assist them in identifying their own employment path.

Faith Thomas completed her Ph.D. in Disability Disciplines with a focus on transition at Utah State University in June 2020. Dr. Thomas' dissertation was a national study on the professional development of secondary special education teachers on writing compliant transition IEPs. In July 2020, she began working as a program coordinator senior at the Center for Persons with Disabilities at Utah State University. She is currently a co-PI for the Mental Health Developmental Disabilities National Training Center whose mission is to improve mental health services for people with developmental disabilities. Faith Thomas has over 25 years of experience working with people with disabilities, transition-age youth, their families, and adult service agencies. Beginning her career working with economically disadvantaged, Faith continued to develop her knowledge by completing a M.Ed. in Special Education with a focus on Transition from Indiana University-Purdue University. Since that time, she worked 15 years at the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community on multiple transition-related projects funded by Indiana Vocational Rehabilitation Services and the Indiana Department of Education. She was also project coordinator of a 5-year NIDILRR funded field-based research study, The Indiana School-to-Work Collaborative which integrated adult service agency staff into secondary schools to develop permanent employment for transition students. In addition, Faith worked for 4 years as a transition coordinator in a suburban school district in southern Indiana. Faith has been involved with APSE since 1999 and has held multiple roles on the Indiana APSE Board of Directors. As a 10-year member of the Indiana APSE BOD, she was conference committee co-chair, membership chair, and co-president. She was recognized as the Indiana Rebecca McDonald award winner in 2005 and the National Rebecca McDonald winner in 2006.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Executive Committee

Job Titles:

• Board Chair / Minneapolis, MN
• New Board Chair of National

Heidi Maghan has worked with individuals with disabilities for nearly 35 years. She has worked in residential, sheltered workshop, and community employment. This allows her to have an understanding of where others are coming from and work with them to make positive changes. For the past 23 years Maghan has been supporting individuals as they achieve their goals in community employment. Before becoming the chair of the National APSE board, she was on the board as the Vice President and previously as the Delegates Chair. Maghan has been involved in Minnesota APSE for the past 10 years serving as President, Vice President and treasurer. Currently Maghan is the Director of Customized Employment at Kaposia, a founding member of the Employment First Coalition and a member of the Minnesota TAT Corps of Discovery. Maghan has a B.S. in Physical Education, Developmental Adapted Physical Education, and Coaching from Mankato State University. Maghan has shaped many of the policies at the state and local level. She lives her vision of respect, honor, and treat all people with dignity - while investing in their abilities and cultivating opportunities.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Executive Committee
• Member of APSE and Has Been Involved
• WISE / Regional Delegate - Northwest & Pacific

Jaimie Laitinen is an enthusiastic member of APSE and has been involved with the organization since 2010 when she attended her first National Conference and met people from all over the country who were passionate about employment for all. The relationships, connection, and collaboration that have been built with members of the APSE community ever since that first conference has been an inspiration and a reminder of how important it is to feel connected to the vision and values of the work we do together and to have fun in the process. Since that first conference, Jaimie has served as a founding board member on the Washington APSE Chapter as a Vice President, President, at-Large member, as well as a Regional Delegate. She has also served on numerous National APSE Conference Committees and is currently serving on the Professional Development Committee. Jaimie has spent the past 15 years working for Wise, a nonprofit organization based in Washington State providing technical assistance and training to promote employment for all people with disabilities. During her time at Wise, she has enjoyed a wide range of roles and experiences in working toward getting people with disabilities into the workforce. In her current role at Wise, she specializes in contract and project management, working with employment service providers, schools, and other agency partners in supporting individuals and their families in their journey to find the right job. She is also a trainer in the Wise Online Academy ACRE Series and has presented at national and local conferences on School to Work and Transition, Person Centered Planning, Organizational Culture, and Development, as well as strategies on recruitment, training, and retention of staff in this industry. Her passion for this field is nurtured by being part of a determined community that shares the belief that each person has value to contribute and that everyone can work.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Executive Committee
• Regional Delegate - Midwest

Job Titles:

• Executive Director, Director of Policy & Advocacy

Julie has been serving in the Interim Executive Director role since October of 2020 and as Director of Public Policy and Advocacy since January 2019. Prior to this, Julie served on APSE's National Board of Directors and co-chaired APSE's Public Policy Committee from June 2017-December 2019. During her tenure at APSE, she has demonstrated the ability to develop new opportunities for the association and unparalleled enthusiasm for APSE's efforts to advocate for inclusive workplaces for people with disabilities in every sector of employment. In addition to her knowledge and skills around employment policy and advocacy on behalf of job candidates and workers with disabilities, Julie brings over 12 years of senior management experience in the nonprofit sector including past leadership positions as Director of Iowa's University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD), the Center for Disabilities and Development (CDD) at the University of Iowa; and Director of Employment Programs at Strong Center for Developmental Disabilities at the University of Rochester (a New York UCEDD). Throughout her career, Julie has worked on behalf of organizations that seek to improve the full inclusion of people with disabilities and advance disability rights. She has demonstrated a deep commitment to APSE's mission (to advance employment equity for people with disabilities), vision (that all people with disabilities have competitive employment in an inclusive workforce), and values (the belief that everyone can and should work, and have the dignity of determining their career path). ASPE and the professionals it represents have difficult and important tasks ahead as the nation begins to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, its corresponding economic downturn, and the simultaneous pandemic of racism and the resulting period of civil unrest. APSE remains committed to elevating the field of supported employment, protecting critical funding and services, and navigating the transformation process towards competitive integrated employment - all to better serve individuals with disabilities, their families, and their communities. In her new role, Julie will oversee APSE's day-to-day and fiscal operations, including the development of new partnerships and revenue sources; manage the National Team; coordinate outreach and communications; and continue to lead policy and advocacy efforts to advance Employment First. Julie J. Christensen, LMSW, PhD, is the Executive Director at APSE - the Association of People Supporting Employment First. Julie has served as Director of Public Policy and Advocacy since January 2019. Prior to this, Julie served on APSE's National Board of Directors and co-chaired APSE's Public Policy Committee. Julie's career has centered around improving quality of life outcomes for at-risk youth, including youth with intellectual and development disabilities, through promoting employment and access to leisure and recreation opportunities in inclusive settings. Prior to joining APSE, she served as the Director of Iowa's University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) at the University of Iowa, where she was also research faculty in the Carver College of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry. Julie's previous experience includes her role as the Director of Employment Programs at the Strong Center for Developmental Disabilities at the University of Rochester (a New York UCEDD), where she served as the Principal Investigator and Project Director for the New York State Partnerships in Employment Systems Change project, Co-Director of the New York Employment First State Leadership Mentor Program, and as the New York State Coordinator for Project SEARCH. Julie received her undergraduate degrees in advertising and music from Syracuse University, and a Masters in Social Work from Roberts Wesleyan College and her Ph.D. in Health Practice Research at the University of Rochester. She served as the Senior Disability Policy Fellow for the Harkin Institute at Drake University from 2019-2021.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Executive Committee
• Regional Delegate - Rocky Mountain

Kelley Land works for the Center on Community Living and Careers as a Project Coordinator. She has worked in the human service field for the last 12 years. Her experience includes management, transition services, benefits counseling and program implementation. She received her bachelor's degree in Business Management and completed her master's degree in Public Affairs with a concentration in Human Resources from Indiana Wesleyan. She is also certified through Virginia Commonwealth University as a Community Work Incentives Coordinator. Land has served on the Indiana APSE board, several state work groups and currently sits on the National APSE Policy committee. Land holds a strong belief that all individuals should be empowered to live a meaningful and successful life within their community; this includes supporting individuals through their employment opportunities.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Executive Committee
• Delegate Chair / Northeast

Job Titles:

• Member of the Executive Committee

Job Titles:

• Member of the Executive Committee

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.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Executive Committee
• President

Job Titles:

• Member of the Executive Committee

Job Titles:

• Member of the Executive Committee
• Vice President

Job Titles:

• Member of the Executive Committee
• Regional Delegate - Mid Atlantic

Job Titles:

• Member of the Executive Committee

Ross Ryan is a paid community advocate who represents people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the state of Oregon. In his role as a community advocate, he speaks on behalf of other people with disabilities that cannot speak up for themselves. He currently is a member of several committees that drive important systems and policy change including the Oregon Employment First Executive Order Stakeholder Group, the Oregon Health Authority Ombuds Advisory Committee, the Intellectual and Developmental Disability Budget Stakeholder Group, the Oregon Medicaid Advisory Committee, the Office of Developmental Disability Services Individual Support Plan Revision Work Group, and the Department of Labor Work Group. He is the lead for Oregon's Developmental Disability Advocacy Days at the State Capitol, the co-creator of Oregon "peer-to-peer" employment project to transition people out of sheltered workshops, a leading voice in the Lane v Brown Settlement Agreement and a well-known local, state and national speaker on disability rights.

Job Titles:

• Chairman of the Professional Development Committee
• Member of the Executive Committee
• Member of the Policy Committee
• Secretary

Purpose: To guide and provide feedback to the Professional Development Director as professional development is researched and designed in order to build capacity in the EmploymentFirst field and support the fulfillment of APSE's strategic plan. To guide professional development content creation in partnership with the Professional Development Director for APSE members and others.

Job Titles:

• Business Operations Manager
• Project Coordinator

Sarah joined APSE as project coordinator in 2016. Sarah assists with CESP™ program, membership, and conference coordination. She has worked in the administrative field for a number of years helping teams with project coordination and quality assurance. Sarah received a bachelor's of science in applied psychology from Pennsylvania State University.

Job Titles:

• Counselor Education With a Specialization

Tammy Jorgensen Smith has a Ph.D. in Counselor Education with a Specialization in Leadership and a master's degree in Rehabilitation Services. She has been a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) since 1999. Dr. Smith joined the University of South Florida in 2007. She is currently a tenured Associate Professor in the Rehabilitation and Mental Health Counseling program and remains formally affiliated with the Florida Center for Inclusive Communities - a University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, through research grants. Dr. Smith has focused her career on the research and implementation of innovative, best practice models that are designed to promote full inclusion for individuals with disabilities and on activities that promote self-determination and quality in all aspects of life. Her primary focus is facilitating access to customized employment (CE) strategies for individuals with complex disabilities. Dr. Smith's expertise is in customized employment strategies, vocational rehabilitation, transition, and community integration.

Job Titles:

• Chairman
• Member of the Policy Committee
• Certification Coordinator

Terri is a Certified Employment Support Professional (CESP™) with over 20 years of experience working with job seekers to obtain and maintain community-integrated employment. Terri earned her CESP™ in 2015, assuring that she would have the knowledge and skills to provide the highest level of support and services to job seekers and employees with disabilities. Terri has advocated for Employment First within her community and state. On the national level, she has served as Chair of the ESPCC (Employment Support Professional Certification Council) from 2017-2022 and as Co-Chair on the Council's Quality Assurance Committee. In 2022 Terri joined the Illinois APSE Board assisting with social media for the chapter. Terri places value on mentoring up-and-coming employment support professionals where she can share her knowledge, experience, and enthusiasm for Employment First and the CESP™. When not working, Terri enjoys visiting family and friends and working on various photography and art projects. Terri lives near Chicago, Illinois, with her husband and two cats. She has one adult son who lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife and their son. (Plus, five cats!)

Tricia Jones-Parkin has over 20-years of experience working with people with disabilities. In 2011, Tricia collaborated to craft the Employment First Language for Utah and has focused on capacity building and systems change efforts to increase the number of people employed and included in their local communities. Tricia was the Employment First Program Administrator at the Division of Services for People with Disabilities and acted as the state lead for Utah's partnership with the Office of Disability Policy's Employment First State Leadership Mentoring Program Tricia is Customized Employment Training and Technical Assistance Coordinator at Utah State University, funded by the Utah State Office of Rehabilitation, and is also the project director for Utah's School to Work Inter-agency Transition Initiative funded by the Administration for the Employment Systems Change grant. Tricia was the recipient of APSE's Dave Hammis award in 2018.