Joyce Brabazon joined our Family Support Team in May. Joyce's association with Parent to Parent extends over ten years when Nancy DiVenere was her supporting parent! In Joyce's words, "my eyes, heart and direction have been profoundly altered being the mother of a child with special needs. I learned to hone my advocating skills, determination for answers and research ability from my experiences and bring all of these skills with me in my desire to help other parents."

Nancy Post has been hired as our Grants Coordinator. Nancy has broad experience with the non-profit sector and has written many successful grant proposals. We are thrilled to have Nancy with us and support us in our efforts to continue and create the programs and services that families need.

Hilde Hyde is our new part-time Regional Family Support/Health Care Financing Coordinator. Hilde will provide health care financing information and expand our peer support and family support programs to families in Orange and surrounding counties. Hilde will also be working closely with the Medical Home Project in Orange County. Our Regional Coordinator will be initially housed within the Community Outreach Program at Gifford Medical Center until we determine from families the best place for Parent to Parent. We thank the Gifford Medical Center for graciously offering their space to us. Hilde will be eager to hear from you when she is officially "on-site" at 5 Maple Street in Randolph, Vermont in December.
 
 

And New Leadership…

Susan Sortino has been on our Board of Directors since 1992, serving as President for the past two years. Susan has contributed her insight and time, leading us through the exciting process of strategic planning with skill and sensitivity, providing direction, and building important relationships with staff and board members. In addition, Susan helped produce our Parent to Parent video and established our Annual Family Raffle. Susan will continue on our Board of Directors as a 'member at large'. We are tremendously grateful to Susan for her dedication and commitment to Parent to Parent and look forward to her guidance as a member of our Executive Committee.
 
 

We welcome Ruth Dennis as our new President. Ruth has worked as an occupational therapist and special educator for the past 20 years at the Center for Disability and Community Inclusion, the University Affiliated Program. Through her work, she has direct experiences with young children and their families, with school services, personnel, community professionals, and Interdisciplinary University Faculty. Ruth will be working with the Evaluation Committee to ensure that the programs of Parent to Parent continue to meet with needs of children and families.
 
 

We also welcome a new board member, Dr. Patricia Prelock. Patty is a Speech and Language Pathologist, a faculty member of the Department of Communication Sciences at UVM, Training Coordinator of the Vermont ILEHP Program (Interdisciplinary Leadership Education for Health Professionals Program) and Coordinator of the Vermont Rural Autism Project (RAP). She brings knowledge, skills and much experience working with organizational change and program development. Patty has amazing energy and talent, and we are very excited to welcome her as our newest member of the Board.

Both Ruth and Patty are well known to many families throughout the state modeling, teaching, and advocating for family-centered care. Parent to Parent is looking forward to a wonderful year under this new leadership. ©