IDRPP - Key Persons
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Programmer / Analyst II
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- Member of the Search Staff
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Researcher III
Alex holds a Ph.D. from the Human Development and Family Studies Department at Utah State University, with an emphasis in Adult Development and Aging. She earned her Bachelors in Psychology and Gerontology from the University of Montana (2014).
Alex studies the geographic distribution of resources for various populations (particularly aging populations), and the associated barriers and outcomes of access to resources in rural areas. She is interested in work related to disability, health disparities, mental health, and end-of-life. Alex's role at the IDRPP includes research, content development, evaluation, grant-writing, and identification of funding sources. She currently works on several ongoing projects, including the MHDD National Training Center, AgrAbility of Utah, Western Regional Agricultural Stress Assistance Program (WRASAP), among others.
Alex is a lifelong dual-resident of Montana and Utah, traveling between the two states frequently to enjoy their many outdoor recreation activities and to visit family & friends.
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- Member of the Search Staff
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Project Assessment Coordinator
Alexis graduated from USU with a BS in Biology and Biochemistry in 2014. She works as a project assistant for the Utah Children's Project/ECHO.
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Program Coordinator
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- Member of the Search Staff
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Communication Specialist
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- Consultant
- Member of the Search Staff
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Training / Development Specialist II
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Project Coordinator
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Direct Support Professional
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Project Administrator
- ASL Interpreter Mentor Lead
Amy H. Drewek is the Project Administrator and Lead Interpreting Mentor with TASK12 which is part of the Center for Technical Assistance for Excellence in Special Education (TAESE).
She is currently a doctoral candidate in the Department of Interpretation and Translation at Gallaudet University, where she also earned her M.A. in Interpretation. Amy holds three national interpreting certifications from the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf (RID); CI, CT, and NIC-Master.
Amy has worked as an interpreter, interpreter mentor, and interpreter educator throughout her 27-year career. She currently calls Tucson, Arizona her home.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Search Staff
- Fidelity Researcher
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- Member of the Search Staff
Megan is from Cedar City, Utah. She graduated from Southern Utah University in Family Life and Human Development. She has worked for several years with children with Autism and other disabilities, specifically doing ABA therapy. She loves helping others and finds a strong sense of fulfillment in helping those with disabilities gain new strengths and become independent.
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- Member of the Search Staff
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Direct Support Professional
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Communication Specialist
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Recruitment Analyst
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Direct Support Professional
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- Coach
- Member of the Search Staff
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- Member of the Search Staff
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Integration Specialist
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Program Assistant III
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- Member of the Search Staff
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Researcher III
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Service Coordinator
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Staff Assistant II
Bethanie Thatcher works for the TA division (TAESE), as a Staff Assistant III. She graduated from Utah State University, Huntsman School of Business in Management Information Systems.
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Director of the Utah Assistive Technology Program
- Program Director, Utah Assistive Technology Program ( UATP )
Bora Lee is the director of the Utah Assistive Technology Program within the Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice at Utah State University.
Bora holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Handong Global University in Industrial Design and a Master of Arts in Special Education, with a concentration in moderate to severe disabilities. She earned her Ed. D. in educational leadership from California State University, Los Angeles, focusing on transitioning to adulthood for minority students with disabilities.
Bora is highly engaged in supporting consumers' access to assistive technology, smart home technology, workplace accommodations, and independent living. She has over 15 years of experience working with individuals with disabilities. Her expertise also includes transitioning to adulthood for youth with developmental disabilities and working with families from diverse backgrounds.
Her parents committed their lives to serving as missionaries for more than 30 years, instilling in her the values of selflessness and giving. Their influence has guided her life and her career choices.
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- Business Manager
- Member of the Search Staff
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Lab Assistant
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Occupational Therapist
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- Associate Director
- Member of the Search Staff
- Associate Director for the Center for Technical Assistance for Excellence
Brenda Smith is an Associate Director for the Center for Technical Assistance for Excellence in Special Education (TAESE) at the Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice (IDRPP) at Utah State University. In her role she provides technical assistance and facilitation services for contracts with State Education Agencies and Local Education Agencies. She has experience leading several projects, including Indicator 8 parent surveys, Indicator 14 postsecondary outcomes surveys, and program evaluations. Brenda has stakeholder group facilitation experience at the local, state, and federal levels. She has a Ph.D. in Disability Disciplines with a specialization in Disability Studies. Her research includes activism among college students with disabilities and representation of students with disabilities in charter schools compared to traditional public schools.
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- Admin Assistant
- Administrative Assistant
- Member of the Search Staff
Brenna Mantz Nielsen works as a Administrative Assistant at the IDRPP. She has miscellaneous responsiblities that she does for the IDRPP and her coworkers appreicate her help with them. Brenna enjoys working here at the IDRPP. Brenna also enjoyed her LDS Service Mission at the Utah Bishop's Storehouse as Front Desk Recepitionist. It helped her get the office skills she needed. Brenna uses those skills here at the IDRPP and she is very successful of what she does at her job. Brenna continues to gain new office skills. She loves to learn new things here at the IDRPP. She loves to spend time with her husband, family, and close friends. Brenna's hobbies are riding horses, watching movies, and going on walks. She also loves the outdoors espcially going jeeping. She likes to bring a smile on everyone's faces.
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Program Coordinator II
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Direct Support Professional
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Recruitment Analyst
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- Member of the Search Staff
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Wheelchair Technician
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Staff Assistant III
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Direct Support Professional
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Staff Assistant III
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- Member of the Search Staff
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- Member of the Search Staff
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Study Coordinator
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Program Assistant III
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- Event Coordinator
- Member of the Search Staff
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Program Coordinator I
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Web Accessibility Evaluator / 435 - 374 - 3573
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Business Assistant II
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Project Coordinator
Corban Remund has been working at the Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice since 2018. He is currently the project coordinator and lead trainer for the Basic ACRE certification offered through the IDRPP. He graduated in 2017 from the University of Utah with a Masters in Educational Psychology. Corban has been conducting a variety of trainings for local community rehabilitation providers for the past 3 years.
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Service Coordinator
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- Associate Director
- Member of the Search Staff
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Project Director, ACPE
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- Coordinator
- Member of the Search Staff
Dan O'Crowley, a certified Assistive Technology Professional (ATP), started working at the Institute for Disability Research, Policy, and Practice (IDRPP) in September of 2016 with the Utah Assistive Technology Program (UATP). Dan operates as an AT Coordinator for northern Utah and is studying Mechanical Engineering at USU. At UATP, Dan provides recommendations of AT to individuals with disabilities to enable them to live life more independently, manages a demonstration and loan library of AT for individuals and professionals to check out, and modifies or manufactures custom AT. Dan's AT focus areas are Mobility, Seating and Positioning, Daily Living, and Environmental Adaptations, but is often involved with other professionals and individuals who's AT needs cover Vision, Speech Communication, Learning, Cognition and Development, Computers and Related, Recreational, Sports and Leisure.
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Service Coordinator
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- Member of the Search Staff
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Staff Assistant III
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- Associate Professor
- Member of the Search Staff
- ASL Coach Lead
David Davenport is an associate professor under the ASL/Interpreting Program at Salt Lake Community College. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from Brigham Young University and a Master of Arts degree in Sign Language Education from Gallaudet University. He has been teaching ASL for over fifteen years and has mentored many interpreters in various programs. David is a versatile individual with a wide range of talents such as teaching, storytelling, coordinating, training, remodeling, video editing, and other technology-related skills. David has developed ASL curriculum and assessment tools incorporating a new modern style of teaching and technology for his classes to enrich the learning experience for students. His interests are the modeling of language processing, linguistics, bilingualism, and early intervention and language development in Deaf and Hard-of-hearing.
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Braille Transcriber Trainer
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- Coach
- Member of the Search Staff
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Childcare Nutrition Monitor
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Inclusion Trainer
With over 35 years of experience in early childhood education and a background in early childhood special education, Debbie Ballard brings not only great knowledge and experience, but a unique perspective to our team. She has a Master's degree in early childhood special education and school administration, and a State of Utah certification for Early Intervention birth to Three.
With a passion for family and student engagement and social emotional development, Debbie had the privilege of working with children and their families in a birth to three special education early intervention program and a preschool program as a special education teacher and a as program administrator. She is currently working as the Special Education Director at Channing Hall Charter School. Debbie also is an educational consultant for Lakeshore Learning. She has worked for Utah State University as an adjunct faculty, responsible for teaching classes on the Mission and Key Principles in Early Intervention in Birth to Three programs as well as how Social Emotional Development in young children impacts overall child development. She has held many state and national leadership positions for the Council of Exceptional Children (CEC) and the Division of Early Childhood (DEC). Debbie worked with the Early Childhood Technical Center (ECTA)and the Department of Education in Utah on implementing a program throughout Utah called Reaching Potentials Through DEC Recommended Practices (RP 2). She has also worked with Utah State University in implementing the RP 2 strategies in three daycare programs in Salt Lake City Utah. She served on the Utah Interagency Coordination Council for Infants and Toddlers with Special Needs and their Families (ICC) for six years.
Debbie has been working as an educational consultant for Lakeshore Learning since 2018. This position provides Debbie with the opportunity to provide trainings for early childhood educators throughout the country.
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Office Assistant
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Child Care Nutrition Monitor
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Occupational Therapist
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Services Director
- Assistant Director, Division of Services
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Director of the Research and Training Division at the Institute for Disability Research
- Research & Training Director
- Research Associate Professor
Dr. Riesen is the Director of the Research and Training Division at the Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice with an appointment as research associate professor in the Department of Special Education and Rehabilitation at Utah State University. Dr. Riesen has 30 years of experience working with people significant disabilities. He has worked for adult residential programs that support people with autism spectrum disorder, worked as a certified special educator serving 18-21-year-old students with disabilities, and has worked as a researcher and faculty member in institutes of higher education. He has conducted a number of single-subject research studies on embedded instruction in secondary school and systematic instruction in community-based employment programs. He has conducted research on school-to-work barriers and customized employment. He has written articles on the Fair Labor Standards Act and its application to school-to-work programs, customized employment, and alternatives to guardianship. He is the co-author of a 2016 book on transition and a 2020 book on embedded instruction and has written book chapters on book chapters on transition, employment and residential issues, and job coaching, and single subject research design.
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Physical Therapist
- Services / Associate Director
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Project Coordinator II
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- Member of the Search Staff
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Researcher III
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- Director
- Member of the Search Staff
- Teacher
Elizabeth Dennison, M.S., is a teacher of the blind and visually impaired with 47 years of experience working with young children with visual impairments. She received her masters in education of the blind and visually impaired from the University of Northern Colorado. She considers herself a practitioner at heart and has a passion for her work.
Elizabeth (Bess) has been working with both the SKI-HI Institute at Utah State University and the Utah Schools for the Deaf and Blind for 40 years. During this time she has maintained an active caseload of young children in early intervention as well as preschool programs through the Utah School for the Blind Parent Infant Program and Outreach. She has also assisted in planning parent workshops, training staff, mentoring new teachers, child data collection for the program, and teaching toddler groups.
At the SKI-HI Institute, she coordinates the outreach training efforts for the INSITE and VIISA early intervention models. In her work at SKI-HI, she has written grants, developed curriculum and training materials, and conducted many training sessions in the US as well as overseas. She currently teaches preschool vision courses for the Vision Personnel Preparation program at the University of Utah. She has presented at national conferences for AER and DEC and served in leadership positions in the preschool division of AER. She has also contributed articles to a variety of newsletters in the preschool vision field.
In 2000, the National Associations for Education and Rehabilitation of the Blind and Visually Impaired awarded he her the Berthold Lowenfeld Award for her contributions to the field. In Fall of 2020 the Utah School for the Deaf and Blind gave her the teacher of the year award.
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- Member of the Search Staff
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- Member of the Search Staff
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Program Assistant III
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Program Coordinator, EmployAbility Clinic / Job Coach Program Coordinator, Top Sports
My name is Erica Lundahl. I have been involved with Up to 3 since 2005 when my son participated in the program. Our involvement led us to Top Sports, a program for youth ages 3 and up to participate in sports alongside their peers. By 2008 I took on the position of Program Coordinator for Top Sports.
Our goal is to cultivate an inclusive and supportive atmosphere where individuals with disabilities can excel. Through promoting acceptance, teamwork, and a sense of belonging, we empower participants to thrive and reach their full potential. Throughout the year we play 5-week sessions of basketball, indoor soccer, bowling and T-ball. If you are interested in getting involved as either a participant or a volunteer, please contact me, Erica.Lundahl@usu.edu
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- Vice President for Blindness Initiatives at Aira
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Program Assistant II
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- Member of the Search Staff
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Staff Assistant
Fran graduated from Utah State University and holds a B.S. degree in Business Education. She has worked for USU since 1994. She currently assists in preparing materials for children who are Deaf for SKI-HI and HOPE Inc.
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- Member of the Search Staff
- TAESE Associate Director
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Autism Specialist
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- Analyst
- Member of the Search Staff
- Programmer
George completed the Masters program in Instructional Psychology & Technology at Brigham Young University in 2007. He has worked at Utah State University since 2008, and joined WebAIM at the end of 2015.
George manages the online training program at WebAIM. The Accessible Documents video-based course launched in July 2018, and over 5,000 participants have enrolled in this independent-study training. George also conducts pre-conference workshops and delivers presentations at national conferences.
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Dietitian
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Direct Support Professional
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Web Accessibility Assistant
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- Member of the Search Staff
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Social Media Technician
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Researcher III
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Training / Development Specialist 1
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- Member of the Search Staff
, is an interpreter mentor for TAESE at Utah State University. Dr. Nelson's experience spans over 25 years and includes ASL-English interpreting, teaching, mentoring, program development, and assessment. She has worked and taught in academic, community, government, and corporate settings. She has specialized in decision making/ethics, program review/development, experiential learning/mock interpreting, and test preparation. She has developed programs that focus on heritage learners of ASL, Deaf interpreters, and internships in VRS settings. She is also passionate about deliberate/reflective practice and expressing her creativity in her work. Dr. Nelson maintains National Interpreter Certification with the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf at the master level, holds Utah Professional certification, and an EIPA credential.
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Physical Therapist
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- Member of the Search Staff
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Job Coach
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Teacher EI Supervisor
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Program Coordinator
Janeal serves as the Program Coordinator as well as a service coordinator for the South East Early Intervention Program. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Business from Utah State University in 2006 and began working for South East Early Intervention in December 2016. Janeal recently completed a 2 nd Bachelor's Degree in Communicative Disorders and Deaf Education and is currently working on her Master's Degree in Speech Language Pathology at Utah State University.
In her spare time, Janeal enjoys camping, fishing, going on motorcycle rides with her husband, and spending time with her husband, and three boys and her beautiful daughter-in-law. She also enjoys baking, listening to audiobooks, and doing crafts.
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- Member of the Search Staff
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Projector Coordinator
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Pyramid Model External Coach / 801 673 7343
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- Member of the Search Staff
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Programmer / Analyst Lead
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Specialist
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Speech Language Pathologist
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Project Director
- Project Director for the Training
Jennifer Harvey is the Project Director for the Training and Assessment Systems for K-12 Interpreters (TASK12) and Interpreter Mentorship, Education, and Training (IMET) projects with TAESE at Utah State University. She is nationally certified with over 30 years of extensive experience as an American Sign Language interpreter practitioner, educator, and mentor. She has developed and administered innovative grant funded programs designed to support interpreters in their professional growth toward certification through effective mentorships. She works closely with various TASK12 member states providing technical assistance, assessments and training for educational interpreters. She comes from a heritage language background and honors with pride the rich experience of being raised by wonderful parents who are Deaf in a bilingual, bicultural environment among a community she treasures. Jennifer earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Educational Interpreting and a Master of Science degree in ASL/English Interpreting Pedagogy.
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Aging & Disability Program Coordinator
Jennifer Morgan has a B.S. in Psychology and is the Aging and Disability Program Coordinator at the Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice at Utah State University. She is the lead for multiple projects that impact older adults, persons with disabilities and veterans. Her involvement includes working with state and national agencies including; National Council on Aging, Salt Lake Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Utah Statewide Independent Living Council, and Utah Association of Area Agencies on Aging.
Prior to joining the IDRPP, she was the Utah Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) Director working closely with Utah's Centers for Independent Living and Area Agencies on Aging. She also collaborated with the VHA Office of Rural Health in the development of the COVER to COVER (Connecting Older Veterans "Especially Rural" to Community or Veteran Eligible Resources) model. Currently, she is working on multiple projects to deliver the COVER to COVER model helping Veterans and their caregivers get connected to their VA benefits.
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Speech Pathologist
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Program Coordinator
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Instructional Designer
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Business Assistant II
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Program Director
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Web Accessibility Specialist
John manages website evaluation projects for WebAIM, helping clients from across the globe identify, understand, and remediate accessibility barriers in their web properties. He has worked in web development since 2000, in roles including design, coding, usability, and accessibility. He thrives on the challenge of facilitating delightful, engaging experiences for aural and visual users alike.
He holds a master's in information science from the University of Michigan School of Information, an undergraduate degree in communications from Goddard College, and a CPACC certification from the International Association of Accessibility Professionals.
In his spare time, he enjoys travel, automobiles, and his collection of vintage license plates.
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Public Relations Specialist
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Direct Support Professional
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Training / Development Officer - Senior
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- Member of the Search Staff
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Direct Support Professional
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Business Assistant III
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- Member of the Search Staff
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Co - Director, URLEND and Associate Professor
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Program Assistant III
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Office Assistant
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Service Coordinator
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Speech Pathologist
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Speech Pathologist
Kathi Bodily, MS, CCC-SLP, is an ASHA certified speech-language pathologist specializing in pediatric communicative and oropharyngeal disorders. She received her Master's Degree from Utah State University and holds a Certificate of Clinical Competence (CCC). She previously worked as an SLP in several school districts in Utah and Iowa and as an early intervention SLP with the Up to 3 Program in Cache County. Kathi currently provides speech, language, and feeding services via teletherapy to the children and families served by the South East Early Intervention Program in Carbon, Emery, and Grand counties.
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Direct Support Professional
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Direct Support Professional
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Training / Development Specialist I
Katie graduated from Utah State University with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies. She has worked with individuals with disabilities for over 7 years. She previously worked as a Job Coach and Pre-ETS Instructor with the EmployAbility Clinic, and is now currently employed as a Training and Development Specialist in the Research and Training Division.
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Project Coordinator III
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Multimedia Technician
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Braille Transcriber Trainer
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Technician / Outreach Specialist
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Business Manager I
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- Speech Pathologist / 435 - 757 - 6074
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Technical Assistance Specialist
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Behavior Specialist
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- Member of the Search Staff
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Program Coordinator II
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Program Coordinator II
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Program Assistant
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Project Director
Linda Alsop MEd., has over 20 years of experience directing federal projects in deafblindness, including those under Model Demonstration Projects, Steppingstones of Technology Innovation for Children with Disabilities Projects, Projects of National Significance, FIPSE (Funds for the Improvement of Post-Secondary Education), and Personal Preparation Projects. In Utah, she has worked with the State Deafblind Technical Assistance Project and Baby Watch Early Intervention providing services, training and resource materials. She developed and implemented the first online deafblind training program in the country that trains interveners to work with children and youth with deafblindness, and this coursework won the national Blackboard Greenhouse Exemplary Course award. Ms. Alsop was also instrumental in creating a partnership between USU and the Hadley School for the Blind, through which an online program of study in blindness was established. She has worked closely with the Utah State Office of Education and the Utah State Legislature in obtaining state funding for services to children and youth who are deafblind in Utah. For the past ten years, she has led the National Intervener Task Force in advocacy and system's change efforts in behalf of individuals who are deafblind, and most recently, she established a National Intervener Credential through the National Resource Center for Paraprofessionals (NRCPara). She works closely with parents of children who are deafblind throughout the country, providing training, support, and materials related to educational laws and the rights of their children to have access to a Free and Appropriate Public Education.
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Program Assistant III
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Direct Support Professional
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- Teacher Early Intervention
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Direct Support Professional
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Office Clerk
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Social Media Specialist
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- Director
- Member of the Search Staff
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Executive Director, NRCP
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Director, Research and Evaluation Division
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Project Coordinator III
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Program Coordinator
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Executive Assistant to the Director
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Developmental Specialist
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Coordinator of Programs
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Pyramid Model External Coach
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- Executive Director
- Member of the Search Staff
- Executive Director of the Utah State University Institute for Disability Research
Matthew Wappett is the Executive Director of the Utah State University Institute for Disability Research, Policy & Practice (UCEDD), with an affiliate appointment as a Research Associate Professor in the USU College of Education and Human Services. He was formerly the Co-Director of the University of Idaho Confucius Institute and had an affiliate faculty appointment as a Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology. Dr. Wappett has also served as the Associate Director of the UI Center on Disabilities and Human Development and had a faculty appointment in the UI College of Education. Dr. Wappett's background is in special education and disability studies; most of his research has been focused on creating inclusive environments to accommodate the needs of diverse populations.
Dr. Wappett also conducts research and writes about the effects of laughter in the classroom and genuinely enjoys teaching people how to laugh! He has been referred to by many as the "Laughter Doctor"! He has been a featured speaker at state and national conferences and training events. Dr. Wappett's teaching and research on creating inclusive learning environments has recently turned to the effects of environmental stress on learning and social interaction.
Dr. Wappett earned his Ph.D. in Special Education, an M.Ed. in Educational Studies, and a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Utah. Dr. Wappett has also attended Clinical Training for Mind Body Medicine through the Harvard Medical School. He completed his secondary teaching certification while pursuing his Master's degree at the University of Utah.
In his spare time, Dr. Wappett coaches youth hockey, competes in powerlifting, and spends as much time as possible outdoors rafting Western rivers.
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Coordinator III
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Outreach Specialist
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Service Coordinator
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- Member of the Search Staff
Melissa Frandsen graduated from USU in 2012 with a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work. She has been working for Early Intervention in Moab, UT since 2013 as an Early Intervention Specialist. She enjoys spending time with her 3 children and husband. She loves fishing, camping, and watching her kids play sports.
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- Member of the Search Staff
- External Coach
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- Director
- Member of the Search Staff
Michael is the director over the Child Care Nutrition Programs (CCNP) at Utah State University, which is housed in the IDRPP. He is in charge of bringing on family day care home providers in Utah who are interested in providing day care in their homes and providing nutritious meals to children in care under the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). He is in charge of processing all of the provider and center claims every month. He made it possible for child care centers to participate on the Child Care Nutrition Program under Utah State University back in October of 2016. Providers and child care centers receive federal reimbursement for qualifying nutritious meals that they serve to children while in care. He is in charge of monitoring each site at least 3 times per year and providing home day care providers and centers with the tools that they need to ensure children are receiving reimbursable meals while in care. He also enjoys hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, and spending time with his family.
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Network Syst Specialist
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- Assistant Director
- Member of the Search Staff
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- Member of the Search Staff
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Special Education Technical Writer
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Staff Assistant III
Miriam is originally from a small Idaho town and went on to school at Rick's College. After completing an associate's degree she moved here to Logan where she graduated from USU with a bachelor's degree in English Education with a minor in Theater Education. She currently works as the Staff Assistant for the Up-to-3 Early Intervention program.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Search Staff
- Service Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Member of the Search Staff
Morgan has received her Bachelors degree in Social Work at Utah State University Eastern, and has received her Early Childhood Credential during her 3 years at South East Early Intervention. Morgan has worked in many local programs through out the area including Symbii Home Health and Hospice and multiple of USU Eastern volunteer programs.She is most excited about working with families and helping children reach their highest potential.
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- Associate Director
- Member of the Search Staff
- Research & Training / Associate Director
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Direct Support Professional
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Study Coordinator
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- Director
- Member of the Search Staff
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Staff Assistant II
My Name is Pam Rodriguez Norton and I have worked for IDRPP/South East Early Intervention for 8 yrs. I am married and have two kids Abby and Vance. I love spending time with my family and my dogs they are amazing. I really enjoy my job and the people I work with. I love seeing how much of a difference we can make in the lives of our clients.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Search Staff
- Staff Assistant
Job Titles:
- Member of the Search Staff
- Director of the SKI - HI and Deaf Mentor Outreach and Training Programs at the SKI - HI Institute
Paula Pittman is the director of the SKI-HI and Deaf Mentor Outreach and Training Programs at the SKI-HI Institute at Utah State University, and has served as a National Trainer for the SKI-HI Institute since 1992. She was a co-creator of the Deaf Mentor Program and was involved in the development of the SKI-HI and Deaf Mentor Curriculum Manuals. She has been involved in the development of many program materials to support early intervention providers and parents who work with or are raising children with sensory disabilities. As an early intervention practitioner, she has had the honor to serve families who have children who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf plus, deaf-blind and blind or visually impaired since 1982.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Search Staff
- Project Coordinator III
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Direct Support Professional
Job Titles:
- Member of the Search Staff
- Direct Support Professional
Job Titles:
- Member of the Search Staff
- Direct Support Professional
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- Administration Director
- Director of Administration
- Member of the Search Staff
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Strategic Accessibility Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Coordinator
- Member of the Search Staff
- Technician
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Personnel Coordinator
Ryan started working at the IDRPP in 2018 as a student for the Up to 3 Early Program. After graduating with a B.A. in Finance from Utah State University, Ryan joined the IDRPP Business Office as the Personnel Coordinator. Ryan was born in West Jordan, Utah.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Search Staff
- Direct Support Professional
Job Titles:
- Member of the Search Staff
- Direct Support Professional
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- Member of the Search Staff
- MULDINET Project Assistant
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- Lab Technician
- Member of the Search Staff
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- Member of the Search Staff
- UATP Assistant
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Monitor
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Transcription Specialist
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Pyramid Model External Coach / 435.770.0748
Job Titles:
- Member of the Search Staff
- Program Assistant III
Job Titles:
- Member of the Search Staff
- Program Assistant
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Nurse
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Direct Support Professional
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Service Coordinator
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Program Director
- Director of the Center on Data and Accountability at TAESE
Steve Smith is the Director of the Center on Data and Accountability at TAESE. Mr. Smith also serves as the Knowledge Development Team Lead for the Center for IDEA Fiscal Reporting (CIFR). The Center is a five-year project funded by the US Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). CIFR's purpose is to assist states in building their capacity to report high quality data for State Maintenance of Financial Support (MFS), Local Educational Agency (LEA) Maintenance of Effort (MOE), Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CEIS), and allocations of IDEA Part B subgrants to LEAs.
Mr. Smith has special education experience at the state and school levels. He was previously employed at the Oregon Department of Education (ODE) in the Office of Student Learning and Partnerships (OSLP) for nearly eight years. As the Director of Operations, Mr. Smith was responsible for various components of the State's Special Education System, including Data, Fiscal, Legal, and Information Services. He also served as the Director of Interagency Educational Services, where he was responsible for oversight of the State's educational programs in juvenile detention, youth corrections, long-term care and treatment, and hospital settings.
Prior to his time at ODE, Mr. Smith spent five years as a special education teacher and case manager at a youth correctional facility in Salem, OR.
Mr. Smith earned his BS in Secondary Education with an emphasis in Social Science from Western Oregon University (WOU). He earned his MS in Secondary Education with an emphasis in Geography and English as a Second Language (ESL) and his Special Education Certification from WOU as well. He later completed his Initial Administrator and Continuing Administrator Licensure programs at Portland State University (PSU).
Steve Smith is the Director of the Center on Data and Accountability at TAESE. Mr. Smith also serves as the Knowledge Development Team Lead for the Center for IDEA Fiscal Reporting (CIFR). The Center is a five-year project funded by the US Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). CIFR's purpose is to assist states in building their capacity to report high quality data for State Maintenance of Financial Support (MFS), Local Educational Agency (LEA) Maintenance of Effort (MOE), and Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CEIS).
Mr. Smith has special education experience at the state and school levels. He was previously employed at the Oregon Department of Education in the Office of Student Learning & Partnerships for nearly eight years. As the Director of Operations, Mr. Smith was responsible for various components of the State's Special Education System, including Data, Fiscal, Legal, and Information Services. He also served as the Director of Interagency Educational Services, where he was responsible for oversight of the State's educational programs in juvenile detention, youth corrections, long-term care and treatment, and hospital settings.
Prior to his time at the Oregon Department of Education, Mr. Smith spent five years as a special education teacher and case manager at a youth correctional facility in Salem, OR.
Mr. Smith earned his BS in Secondary Education with an emphasis in Social Science from Western Oregon University (WOU). He earned his MS in Secondary Education with an emphasis in Geography and English as a Second Language (ESL) and his Special Education Certification from WOU as well. He later completed his Initial Administrator and Continuing Administrator Licensure programs at Portland State University (PSU).
Steve Smith is the Director of the Center on Data and Accountability at TAESE. Mr. Smith also serves as the Knowledge Development Team Lead for the Center for IDEA Fiscal Reporting (CIFR). The Center is a five-year project funded by the US Department of Education's Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP). CIFR's purpose is to assist states in building their capacity to report high quality data for State Maintenance of Financial Support (MFS), Local Educational Agency (LEA) Maintenance of Effort (MOE), and Coordinated Early Intervening Services (CEIS).
Mr. Smith has special education experience at the state and school levels. He was previously employed at the Oregon Department of Education in the Office of Student Learning & Partnerships for nearly eight years. As the Director of Operations, Mr. Smith was responsible for various components of the State's Special Education System, including Data, Fiscal, Legal, and Information Services. He also served as the Director of Interagency Educational Services, where he was responsible for oversight of the State's educational programs in juvenile detention, youth corrections, long-term care and treatment, and hospital settings.
Prior to his time at the Oregon Department of Education, Mr. Smith spent five years as a special education teacher and case manager at a youth correctional facility in Salem, OR.
Mr. Smith earned his BS in Secondary Education with an emphasis in Social Science from Western Oregon University (WOU). He earned his MS in Secondary Education with an emphasis in Geography and English as a Second Language (ESL) and his Special Education Certification from WOU as well. He later completed his Initial Administrator and Continuing Administrator Licensure programs at Portland State University (PSU).
Job Titles:
- Member of the Search Staff
- Director, Division of Services
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Psychologist
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- Member of the Search Staff
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Childcare Nutrition Monitor
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- Member of the Search Staff
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Student Research Assistant
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Program Manager
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Research Assistant Professor
Ty B. Aller, PhD LMFT is a Research Assistant Professor for the Department of Human Development and Family Studies and is a Researcher housed in the Institute for Disability, Research, Policy, and Practice at Utah State University. As an individual with lived-experience of a mental health concern, Dr. Aller deeply values collaborating with self-advocates to adapt programming to better meet their unique needs. Dr. Aller is an early career researcher with over $1.4 million dollars in grants/contracts that support varying mental health based projects including: Adapting mental health literacy programs for varying peoples (e.g., rural populations, health care providers, youth leaders); Adapting acceptance and commitment therapy to better meet needs of those receiving therapy (e.g., adults on the autism spectrum, caregivers, parents); and Delivering evidence-based mental health trainings to diverse audiences to improve the quality of mental health care. Throughout each of his projects, Dr. Aller's work emphasizes finding ways to support communities to promote mental health and improve their well-being through their own unique strengths.
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Network Syst Specialist
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- Member of the Search Staff
- Direct Support Professional
Job Titles:
- Member of the Search Staff
- Assistive Technology Coordinator