Curriculum Vitae
EDUCATION
​
2000
PH.D.
Columbia University, School of Social Work, New York
Concentration: Advanced Practice
Dissertation: Designated Reporters of Abuse and Neglect in New York City Public Schools
​
1988
Master of Social Work, The University of Michigan School of Social Work
Major: Interpersonal Practice
Minor: Administration
Field of Practice: Schools
​
1985
Bachelor of Arts, with Honors, The University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
Major: Psychology
ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS
2023-Present
Consultant, Perkins School for the Blind
2018-Present
Faculty Academic & Field Advisor, Columbia School of Social Work
​
2021-2022
Special Projects to the Provost, Lesley University
​
2016-2021
Director, Threshold Program, Lesley University
​
2016-2021
Professor (NTT), Lesley University
​
2006-2021
Associate Dean & Executive Director New York Institute of Technology
2013-2016
Field Instructor, Columbia University School of Social Work
​
2013-2013
Adjunct Lecturer, Columbia University School of Social Work
​
2005-2008
Research Associate, Yale University School of Medicine Child Study Center
2000-2006
Assistant Professor Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service
​
2002-2006
Local Chair Fordham University Institutional Review Board
​
2003-2006
Grant Reviewer Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service Faculty Development Research Fund
2000-2001
Research Associate & Field Instructor Children FIRST, Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service
​
1998-2000
Lecturer Columbia University School of Social Work
​
1998-2000
Field Advisor Columbia University School of Social Work
1995-1998
Adjunct Lecturer Columbia University School of Social Work
​
1995-1996
Teaching Assistant Columbia University School of Social Work
​
1991-1994
Field Instructor San Diego State University School of Social Work
​
1988-1990
Field Instructor Florida State University School of Social Work
​
1982-1985, 1986-1988
Assistant Instructor The University of Michigan, Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences Department
1983-1983
Teaching Assistant The University of Michigan, Psychology Department
​
​
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
2005-2008
Research Associate NICHD funded higher functioning autism and Asperger Syndrome Study. Yale University Collaborative Program of Excellence in Autism (CPEA) Grant #5P01HD003008-37
​
2003-2006
Principal Investigator Parents of Children with Asperger Syndrome Study. Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service
​
2005-2005
Consultant Vocational Independence Program Evaluation. New York Institute of Technology
​
2005-2005
Consultant Community Mentoring Program Evaluation Phoenix House
​
2003-2003
Consultant Columbia University School of Social Work Study of 1999-2002 Graduates
​
2001-2001
Co-Principal Investigator The Use of Crisis Intervention by M.S.W. Supervisors in Foster care Children FIRST, Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service New York Community Trust
​
2001-2001
Principal Investigator Sexual Abuse Training Program Evaluation.
Children FIRST, Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service
​
2000-2001
Co-Principal Investigator Domestic Violence Providers Reporting of Child Abuse Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service Columbia University School of Social Work
​
2000-2001
Research Associate Assessing the Independent Living Skills Program in Foster care. Children FIRST, Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service State of Connecticut Department of Social Services
​
2000-2001
Research Associate Supervisory Decision Making in Child Protective Services
Children FIRST, Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service
​
2000-2001
Administration for Children’s Services Research Associate The Management of Sex Offenders, Children FIRST, Fordham University Graduate School of Social ServiceCenter for Sex Offender Management
​
1997-2000
Principal Investigator Columbia University School of Social Work Designated Reporter Study (Dissertation)
​
1998-2000
Principal Investigator Columbia University School of Social Wor Study of 1996-1998 Graduates
​
1994-1998
Research Assistant Columbia University School of Social Work Center for Family Life Evaluative Study
​
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
​
04/09-Present
Peer Reviewer, Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
​
11/10-Present
Field Editor, Encyclopedia of Autism 1st & 2nd Editions
​
11/19-Present
Peer Reviewer, Child: Care, Health, & Development
12/16-Present
Peer Reviewer, Social Work in Health Care
​
04/16-Present
Peer Reviewer, Journal of Behavior
​
02/16-Present
Peer Reviewer, Journal of Psychologists and Counsellors in Schools
​
11/13-Present
Peer Reviewer, British Journal of Education, Society & Behavioural Science
​
07/19-Present
Peer Reviewer, Advances in Neurodevelopmental Disorders
​
10/13-06/2016
Peer Reviewer, Higher Learning Research Communications Journal
​
09/10-06/2016
External Reviewer, Brian & Patricia Kelly Post-secondary Scholarship Fund, Autism Speaks
08/13-06/2016
Peer Reviewer, Autism: International Journal of Research And Practice
​
04/13-06/2016
Peer Reviewer, Journal of Interpersonal Violence
​
06/14-06/2016
Peer Reviewer, Children & Youth Services Review
​
08/10-08/11
Peer Reviewer, Journal of School Psychology
​
03/09-03/10
NYC Ad Hoc Board Member for the Person Centered Planning in Foster Care project
​
10/08-10/09
Peer Reviewer, Child Abuse Review
​
07/02-01/06
Trainer HIV/AIDS Service Agency Training Academy, New York, NY
09/92-06/94
District Social Worker Lemon Grove School District, CA
​
07/90-08/92
School Social Worker San Ysidro School District, CA
​
08/88-01/90
Social Worker Big Bend Child Care Council, Tallahassee, FL
​
01/87-12/87
School Social Worker Professional Practicum Clinton County ISD, MI
​
01/87-12/87
Juvenile Court Worker Professional Practicum Clinton Co. Juvenile Court, MI
​
09/84-05/85; 09/86-05/88
Peer Counselor, University of Michigan Counseling Services, 76-GUIDE
Peer Counselor, University of Michigan Counseling Services, 76-GUIDE
​
09/83-05/85; 09/86-05/88
Resident Advisor, University of Michigan, Housing Division
Resident Advisor, University of Michigan, Housing Division
SOCIAL WORK COURSES TAUGHT
Advanced Clinical Practice with Children
Advanced Clinical Seminar
Advanced Research Methods
Advocacy in Social Work Practice
Clinical Seminar
Doctoral Level Basic Research Methods
Foundations of Social Work Practice
Human Behavior in the Social Environment
Integrative Seminar
Introduction to Social Work Research Methods
Policy & Practice with Children and Families (Doctoral)
Research Refresher for Doctoral Students
School Based and School Linked Services: Issues in Policy, Programming, and Research
Social Justice: Practice with Communities and Organizations
Statistical Applications Lab for Doctoral Students
Survey Research Methods
​
OTHER COURSES TAUGHT
Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
Social Psychology
​
PEER-REVIEWED PRESENTATIONS
​
38th Annual Autism New Jersey Virtual Conference 2020. Atlantic City, NJ. October 15-16, 2020. Selecting Summer Programming.
Creating a Culture of Inclusion on Campus. College Inclusion Summit. Vanderbilt University. Nashville, TN. October 23-25, 2019.
37th Annual Autism New Jersey Conference 2019. Atlantic City, NJ. October 17-18, 2019. Show Me the Money! Finding Funding for Transition Programs.
Independent Educational Consultants Association 2019 Spring Conference. Chicago, IL. May 9, 2019.
10 Tips to Ensure a Successful Post-secondary Life for Students with Autism and LD.
Independent Educational Consultants Association 2018 Fall Conference. Los Angeles, CA. November 9, 2018. Using Federal Laws and Policies to Locate and Fund Programs for Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities including Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Autism New Jersey Transition Conference 2018. Woodbridge, NJ. February 26, 2018. The Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA): A Game Changer in Employment.
Reimagine Recruiting: Recruiting and Hiring College Students and Recent Graduates with Disabilities. National Organization on Disability. Cambridge, MA. November 17, 2016. Finding and Developing Partnerships that Foster Employment for Individuals with Disabilities.
Future Quest 2015. A College and Career Forum for Students with Disabilities. George Mason University, Fairfax, VA. November 14, 2015. Work opportunities for students on the autism spectrum.
Future Quest 2013. A College and Career Forum for Students with Disabilities. George Mason University, Fairfax, VA. November 16, 2013. Work opportunities for students on the autism spectrum.
31st Annual Autism New Jersey Conference. October 16-17, 2013. Atlantic City, NJ. Funding for Post-secondary Transition Services.
34th Annual International YAI Conference: The Dawn of a New Era, May 6-9, 2013. New York, NY. The Higher Education Opportunity Act: Implications for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities.
New York State Council for Exceptional Children Annual Convention Gideon Putnam Resort, Saratoga Springs, NY. November 2-3, 2012. The Emergence of Comprehensive Transition and Post-secondary Programs for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities or Higher Functioning Autism.
Future Quest 2011. A College and Career Forum for Students with Disabilities. George Mason University, Fairfax, VA. November 19, 2011. Work opportunities for students on the autism spectrum. (Co-presenter).
Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI) Conference. Columbus, Ohio. November 15-17, 2011. The Higher Education Opportunities Act: Implications for individuals with ASDs. (Co-presenter).
32nd Annual International YAI Conference: Bridges to Success in Developmental and Learning Disabilities, May 3-5, 2011. New York, NY. Innovative Models for Transitioning Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders into Adult Life.
Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI) Conference. Columbus, Ohio. November 16-18, 2010. The Higher Education Opportunities Act: Implications for individuals with ASDs.
The Art of Health: New England College Health Association Annual Conference 2010. Providence, Rhode Island. October 27-29, 2010. Providing Support to Students on the Autism Spectrum while at College.
Future Quest 2009. A College and Career Forum for Students with Disabilities. George Mason University, Fairfax, VA. November 20, 2009. Work opportunities for students on the autism spectrum.
Ohio Center for Autism and Low Incidence (OCALI) Conference. Columbus, Ohio. November 17-19, 2009. Navigating the postsecondary environment: Three models of intervention.
Hawaiian International Conference on Social Sciences. Honolulu, Hawaii. June 1-3, 2006. Best Practices in Transitional Services for Individuals with Severe Learning Disabilities & Asperger Syndrome: Vocational, Academically Supported, Transitional Programs.
Hawaiian International Conference on Social Sciences. Honolulu, Hawaii. June 13-16, 2005. Asperger’s Syndrome: A Family Affair.
Council on Social Work Education 51st Annual Program Meeting. New York, New York. February 26 - March 1, 2005. Clinical Practice Symposium: Secondary Traumatic Stress: Consequences of Working with Traumatized Children: A Border Perspective.
Family Futures: Changing Families-Changing World. Parent Child 2004 Conference. London, England. June 17-18, 2004. Parents of Children with Asperger’s Syndrome: Challenges, and Needs in Service Delivery- An Exploratory Study.
8th International Family Violence Research Conference. Portsmouth, New Hampshire. July 16-18, 2003. On the Border of Disorder: School Personnel’s Experiences Reporting Child Abuse on the U.S.-Mexico Border. (Symposium)
14th National Conference on Child Abuse and Neglect. St. Louis, MO. April 2, 2003. Increasing Positive Perceptions of CPS through School Collaboration. (Workshop).
The 7th International Conference on Family Violence. San Diego, CA. September 26, 2002. School Personnel’s Experience Reporting Child Abuse: A Quest for Certainty. (Poster).
The 6th Annual International Family Violence Conference. San Diego, CA. September 12, 2001. Domestic Violence Providers’ Reporting of Child Abuse: Organizational, Cultural and Personal Predictors of Reporting Behavior.
The 5th Annual Society for Social Work Research Conference. Atlanta, GA. January 26, 2001. Predictors of Child Abuse Reporting by New York City School Personnel.
The New Century Child Welfare Conference. Salt Lake City Utah. September 18, 2000.
Designated Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect in New York City Public Schools.
INVITED PRESENTATIONS
Monthly Program Meeting. New England Aquarium Dive Club. Boston, MA. December 21, 2022. Not for the Faint of Heart: Malpelo Island.
Monthly Program Meeting. New England Aquarium Dive Club. Boston, MA. December 18, 2019. Diving the Philippines: Puerto Galeras.
Youth on the Autism Spectrum: JOBS, COLLEGE, & BEYOND. Center of Excellence Autism Spectrum Disorders at Southern CT State University & Yale University’s NIH Autism Center of Excellence, Yale Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine New Haven CT. October 27, 2019. Finding the right supports in post-secondary education: How do you choose?
Monthly Program Meeting. New England Aquarium Dive Club. Boston, MA. December 19, 2018. Port Galib: Gateway to the Red Sea and Southern Egypt.
Legacy High School. Roosevelt Island, New York, NY. December 17, 2017. Transitioning Students with Disabilities to College and Post-secondary Life Panel Discussion.
Interactive Autism Network, Simons Foundation, and the Kennedy Krieger Institute. October 25, 2017. Cambridge, MA. Employment and ASD: Preparing for the world of work. Webinar.
Lesley University, Cambridge, MA. March 24, 2017. Inclusive Higher Education: An Introduction to the Lesley Threshold Program. Community of Scholars Day: Social Justice, Diversity, and Inclusivity.
Legacy High School. Roosevelt Island, New York, NY. November 18, 2015. Transitioning Students with Disabilities to College and Post-secondary Life Panel Discussion.
Center for Autism Research and Service. Next Steps into Adulthood Series. November 10, 2015. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Philadelphia, PA. College & Employment.
Center for Autism Research and Service. Distinguished Lecture Series. November 10, 2015. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Philadelphia, PA. Panel Discussant.
Preparing Students with Disabilities for Post-secondary Life. October 19, 2015. Huntington High School Transition Fair. Huntington, NY
Moving on: Preparing students with Autism, Asperger’s, and learning differences for college: A Day long workshop for high school students, parents, and teachers. Yale University School of Medicine Child Study Center, New Haven CT. April 19, 2015. Transitional college programs: The emergence of Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary (CTP) programs.
Aspergers/Autism Association of New England. Clinical Team Meeting. April 15, 2015. Watertown, MA. Should Massachusetts Adopt a CTP Model?
The Learning Prep School. Transition Fair. March 12, 2015. Newton, MA. New York Institute of Technology Transition Programs. Panel Discussion.
Center for Autism Research and Service. Distinguished Lecture Series. March 9, 2015. Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Philadelphia, PA. Transitioning to Postsecondary Life. Panel Discussion.
Stand Among Friends. 1st Annual Independence through Employment Conference, February 13, 2015. Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL. Bringing It All Together- The VIP Program at NYIT.
Baystate Medical Center. Behavioral Health Services Psychiatry Grand Rounds, December 2, 2014. Springfield, MA. Transitioning Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum to Post-secondary Life.
Legacy High School. Roosevelt Island, New York, NY. November 3, 2014. Transitioning Students with Disabilities to College and Post-secondary Life Panel Discussion.
College Independence Program. Thinking Positive about the Future Conference, May 23, 2014. NYU Langone Medical Center. New York, NY.
Autism-New Jersey 2014 Transition Conference, April 4, 2014. Clark, N.J. Funding for Postsecondary Transition Services
Columbia School of Social Work. Career Mentoring Day. New York, NY. February 12, 2014. Taking perceived risks and finding your passion in the field of social work.
Simons Foundation Felicity House Ladies on the Spectrum Program. New York, NY. January 16, 2014. Job interviewing techniques for individuals on the autism spectrum.
Korean American Behavioral Health Association Developmental Disability Education and Service Conference & Expo. Flushing Medical Center, Flushing, NY. November 2, 2013. Alternative college programs: An introduction.
The Cove School. Evanston, IL. October 23, 2013. Post-secondary options for students with neurologically based disabilities: NYIT’s Response.
Pace University. New York, NY. October 1, 2013. Aaron School Symposium on Transition. Keynote: Transitioning to postsecondary education & training: Pathways to employment.
University of Akron. Akron, OH. July 17, 2013. Providing support to students on the autism spectrum while at college.
New York City Bar Association. New York, NY. May 7, 2013. Extraordinary Issues for Extraordinary Kids: A Primer on The Issues Involved When Confronted with Special Needs Children in Divorce.
Camden County Community College. Blackwood, NJ. March 26, 2013. Transition Planning for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities or are higher functioning on the Autism Spectrum.
Special Education Parent Advisory Committee. Pompton Lakes School District. Pompton Lakes, NJ. February 6, 2013. Employment & the Emergence of Comprehensive Transition and Postsecondary Programs.
Moving On: Preparing Students with Autism, Asperger’s, and Learning Differences for College. Yale University School of Medicine Child Study Center, New Haven, CT. April 22, 2012. Transitional Programs.
All Kids Fair. Melville, NY. April 10, 2011. New Funding Source for Comprehensive Transition Programs.
Long Island Guidance Counselors Association. November 15, 2010. New York, NY. Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Guide to Working with Higher Functioning Individuals in Preparing for Postsecondary Environments.
The Child School. October 19, 2010. New York, NY. Preparing Your Special Needs Child for Postsecondary Education.
Federation Employment and Guidance Services (FEGS) Autism Awareness Workshop Series. Bronx, NY. May 28, 2009. How to Choose between College and other Post-secondary Options for Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum.
Montgomery County Transition Coordinating Council Resource Fair. Ambler, PA. April 23, 2009. How to Decide Between College Bound and Alternative Postsecondary Options for Higher Functioning Individuals on the Autism Spectrum.
Federation Employment and Guidance Services (FEGS) Autism Awareness Workshop Series. Bronx, NY. April 23, 2009. Preparing a Young Child with Autism for Life.
New York State Assembly Republican Regional Forum on Autism Awareness. Albany, New York. April 21, 2009. Barriers to Transitioning High Functioning Young Adults to the World of Work and Independent Living.
Advancing Futures for Adults with Autism. Harold Pratt House. New York, New York. January 23-24, 2009. Think Tank Participant.
Life after High School Conference. The Center for Learning Differences and White Plains High School, White Plains, NY November 15, 2008. The Vocational Independence Program.
2nd National Conference on Students with Asperger’s Syndrome, Autism, & Related Conditions Attending College Conference. Yale University School of Medicine Child Study Center, New Haven CT. April 18, 2008. Searching for Postsecondary Education for the Higher Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder Population: Questions to Ask.
Asperger Syndrome and High Functioning Autism Association Annual Conference. Adelphi University, Garden City, New York. April 13, 2008. Travel Training for Young Adults on the Autism Spectrum.
Future Quest 2007. A College and Career Forum for Students with Disabilities. George Mason University, Fairfax, VA. December 1, 2007. Postsecondary Options: Models to Look for and Questions to Ask.
Life after High School Conference. The Center for Learning Differences and F.E.G.S. Long Island Services. Syosset, NY. October 21, 2007. Life after High School: The Vocational Independence Program.
Kent School of Social Work Spring Conference. University of Louisville, Kent School of Social Work, Louisville, KY. May 18, 2007. Teaching Students with Hidden Disabilities. A 3 hour workshop for M.S.W. Supervisors.
Ready, Set, Go Conference. Jewish Child Care Association. Long Island University, C.W. Post College, Brookville, NY. March 25, 2007. Planning for Postsecondary Options.
1st National Conference on Students with Asperger’s Syndrome, Autism, & Related Conditions Attending College Conference. Yale University School of Medicine Child Study Center, New Haven CT. March 29-30, 2006. Model Programs of Postsecondary Education for the Higher Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorder Population.
Centro de Estudios Puertorriqueños. Hunter College, City College of New York. New York, NY. April 7, 2004. Secondary Traumatic Stress with Teachers Who Report Child Abuse: A View from the Border.
Fordham University Interdisciplinary Center- Mandatory Child Abuse Reporting Sub-Committee Meeting. October 16, 2002. School Personnel’s Experiences Reporting Child Abuse on the U.S. Mexican Border: Implications for New York City.
New York City Board of Education Supervisors of Guidance Meeting. Brooklyn, NY. October 2001. The Designated Reporter Study Final Report.
Administration for Children’s Services Commissioners’ Meeting. New York, NY. June 14, 2000. New York City Board of Education’s Reporting of Child Abuse: Implications for the Administration for Children’s Services.
New York City Board of Education District Six. May 19, 2000.
Child Abuse Reporting in District Six: Implications from a Pilot Study.
Columbia University School of Social Work. December 13, 1999
The Recent Graduate Study: Graduates’ Professional Achievement and Evaluation of the M.S. Program.
New York City Police Department Training Academy. April 21, 1997, A Reporting Suspected Cases of Child Abuse and Neglect: The Role of the School- A Social Work Perspective.
PAID TRAININGS
Big Brothers Big Sisters. Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service. July 30, 2003. Program Evaluation for Mentoring Programs.
Big Brothers Big Sisters. Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service. July 31, 2001. Program Evaluation for Mentoring Programs.
​