About me…
For the past 30 years, I’ve had the privilege of supporting families across every county in New Jersey. I’ve attended thousands of IEP and related meetings, dedicated to ensuring that students with disabilities are educated in an environment that sets high expectations and provides the necessary services and supports for their success.
Other Accomplishments:
My advocacy work against the use of restraint and seclusion on students with disabilities has been featured on multiple news programs including News 12 - Kane in your Corner and NBC news.
I have Conducted numerous trainings for graduate students on topics such as, Understanding the IEP Process, Effective Communication with Parents and The IEP Document for Rutgers University, Seton Hall University and William Patterson University.
I have also conducted presentations/trainings for the NJ Bar Association’s Institute for Continuing Legal Education (ICLE)
2013: Panelist for the NJ Bar Association’s Institute for
Continuing Legal Education’s School Law
Conference – Presented on The Restraint and
Seclusion of Students with Disabilities.
2016: Co-presenter on the ABCs of Special Education Law for attorneys who were considering going into the field of special education.
2018: Panelist for the NJ Bar Association’s Institute for
Continuing Legal Education’s Hot Topics in Special
Education – presented on the NJ Statute on the Use
of Restraint and Seclusion on Students with disabilities.
Awards & accomplishments…
Trainings Completed:
2001: Completed training to become a Surrogate Educational Parent
2006: Completed all levels of the COPAA Special Education Advocate Training- (SEAT)
2013: Completed training to become a Court Appointed Special Advocate - CASA
Awards:
2004: SPAN’s Diana Cuthbertson – Parent Professional Collaboration Award – “For her deep commitment to Parent-Professional partnerships that lead to securing services and support for children and families in NJ.”
2007 & 2008: Army Community Service Awards – “for her support of the Exceptional Family Members Program at Fort Dix.”
2008: “For her contributions to the Military Family Support 360 Project.”
2016: NJ MAP to Inclusive Child Care – “In recognition of her outstanding efforts to advocate and support inclusive services for children with special needs in NJ. .