Joyce Onafowokan is a Certified Early Intervention Specialist who brings more thantwo decades of experience working with children with disabilities and theirfamilies. She also has experience working with first-time teen parents and elderswith profound disability.As a Supervisor with Healthy Families, a coaching program under the MassachusettsSociety for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, Joyce Onafowokan helped provideoutreach to medical, educational and social organizations that encourage first-timeparents to seek medical attention, stay in school, and participate in parentingclasses throughout the pregnancy and post-delivery of their child. As a Developmental Specialist/Service Coordinator at the REACH Early Intervention Program (ServiceNet), Joyce Onafowokan determined service eligibility for children (0-3yo) with established diagnoses, or who were at risk for disability, using State and agency guidelines and provided in-home therapy and group counseling.In 2016, Joyce Onafowokan was asked by the Government of Nigeria to serve asSpecial Adviser on Social Development to the Governor of Lagos State. Afterhelping children and the disadvantaged in the Hampshire County, Massachusetts,Joyce Onafowokan reprised her work in Nigeria -- bringing Early Intervention andAdvocacy work to the forefront of policy in Lagos State. With the notion that,“A Stitch in time saves nine.”Joyce Onafowokan encouraged parents to seek early assistance for theirchildren—inspiring parents and caregivers to set up advocacy groups to fight forbetter living standards for their disabled children.Joyce Onafowokan, in her new role as CEO of SPICE Early Intervention Program,continues to advocate for early identification and treatment and the de-stigmatizing of disability in Nigeria. SPICE focuses on training doctors, teachers, andother professionals on child development and the efficacy of Early Intervention.Joyce has served on several organizational boards including Chair of the HampshireCommunity Action Commission, Member of the Williston Northampton SchoolBoard of Trustees, and, most recently, Board Member of the Lagos State Office OfDisability: LASODA.She obtained her Bachelor’s from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria(English) before obtaining a Masters’ in Education and Child Study from SmithCollege, Northampton, Massachusetts.Joyce Onafowokan has received various awards for her contribution to herprofession.