Consultant & Advocate for families impacted by children’s mental health & special needs. I bring 25+ years experience as a mother of four, PTA Vice President, former staff in a self-contained classroom responsible for behavior management, data collection, teaching, & writing/implementing Individual Educational Plans, Goals & Accommodations, compiling data for Functional Behavior Plans & Behavior Intervention Plans.I left the educational field in 2014 in pursuit of being a more active positive influence to policy making & to help facilitate accountability for the monies spent to help families. I am currently on the Board of Directors for my State's largest family coalition, along with a Governor appointed position to my State's Behavioral Health Advisory Council, County Council appointment to Local Mental Health & Addictions Advisory Council-currently President of said council. Member of multiple committees from finance to executive, I am highly motivated (with lots of coffee & chocolate too) to be a voice for the family and the children. I graduated from the Family Leadership Institute in 2015. From speaking to care providers, insurance companies & writing appeal letters for denial of coverage of services family's seek, all the way up to the government setting & beyond, I work tirelessly on behalf of families. I have a stellar gift to research, network, & find the proof/make the point, bringing quick wit (alright sometimes sarcasm is needed) & poised to turn the heads of the decision makers (or at least make it look good & easy). Making people stop and think about what they are doing for children & families for over 2 decades & still going strong. Simply put: Driving Force for families seeking to provide the best care they can to their children.