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Announcements Fall/Winter 2007

Congratulations

Rev. William C. Gaventa, M.Div. Awarded COMISS Medal

The COMISS Network has awarded the Rev. William (Bill) C. Gaventa the prestigious COMISS Medal for his significant contribution to pastoral care during thirty years of ministry in developmental disability on January 6, 2008 in Alexandria, VA.

The Selection Committee noted the length and depth of his contribution in this specialized field and his focus on community and congregation. Also noted was his creativity in taking Clinical Pastoral Education "outside the walls of the hospital" and into community agencies such as The Kessler Institute.

The COMISS Network is a national network on ministry with organizational membership representing pastoral care and counseling in virtually all specialized settings. The COMISS Medal is the organization's highest honor and has been awarded only four times since its inception.

Please see the following news release:

http://rwjms.umdnj.edu/news_publications/200820releases/Jan08/Gaventa_COMISS_award.html

Comiss Award Response.pdf

Congratulations to Colleen McLaughlin, Training and Consultation Specialist, and her husband David Solarczyk on the birth of their baby girl, Lilly Michelle Solarczyk, on November 17, 2007.

Faculty and Staff Update

Philip Smith, Ph.D.

Dr. Phil Smith is a NJ native who has been working in New York for the past 25 years. He obtained his PhD in Clinical Psychology from the New School for Social Research in New York City, and spent the last 9 years working at the Westchester Institute for Human Development (a New York UCEDD and sister agency to The Boggs Center) where he worked extensively in the area of Positive Behavior Support. This included training and technical assistance to schools and residential treatment programs across the state, and he recently co-authored the book Positive Strategies for Students with Behavior Problems , published by Brookes. Dr. Phil will be working with Dan Baker to expand The Boggs Center training program in Positive Behavior Supports and provide technical assistance to DDD. Current project goals include developing and implementing pilot projects to provide in-state residential and service alternatives to individuals previously placed outside the state because of significant behavioral difficulties, and increasing the availability of community programs for individuals currently living in state developmental centers

Nancy Razza , Ph.D.

Dr. Razza is a licensed psychologist with a twenty-five year commitment to individuals with intellectual disabilities. Dr. Razza is the lead author of Healing Trauma: The Power of Group Treatment for People Disabilities and serves as a contributing editor for the journal Mental Health Aspects of Developmental Disabilities.  Dr. Razza is responsible for the supervision of psychology externs at the Arc of Monmouth Health Services. At The Boggs Center, Dr. Razza will work on a project aimed at expanding and improving the graduate training of psychology and counseling students with respect to the needs of people dually diagnosed with intellectual disabilities and psychological disorders.

Michael Knox, Ph.D.

Congratulations to Michael Knox, Deputy Director and Instructor of Pediatrics at the Elizabeth M. Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities, for completing his doctoral program at Rutgers University.

Sonia Patil, Ph.D.

Congratulations to Sonia Patil, Instructor of Pediatrics at the Elizabeth M. Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities, for completing her doctoral program at Michigan State University.

William Davis, M.Ed.

Bill Davis is a Training and Consultation Specialist at The Elizabeth M. Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities. In his role at The Boggs Center, Bill provides training and technical assistance to schools involved in the NJ Positive Behavior Supports in Schools project, a partnership between the New Jersey State Department of Education , Office of Special Education Programs, and The Boggs Center. Bill received his Bachelor of Arts degree in African Studies and History and his Masters of Education degree from Rutgers University.
Bill has extensive experience working with schools across New Jersey. During his tenure in higher education, Bill has worked at Rutgers University and New York University.

Melissa Cheplic, M.P.H., C.H.E.S.

Melissa Cheplic is a Training and Consultation Specialist at The Elizabeth M. Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities. She will be working with Dan Baker, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Director of Transition and Supported Employment, on the Positive Behavior Supports project. She will provide training and technical assistance to community support agencies. Melissa has worked in the field as a trainer, counselor, advocate, and behavior specialist for individuals with developmental disabilities. Melissa received a Bachelor of Science Degree from Montclair State University and earned her Masters Degree in Public Health from UMDNJ. A Nationally Certified Health Education Specialist, Melissa has also completed research in the areas of mental health and promoting healthy behaviors.

Sunne-Ryse Smith, M.A.

Sunne-Ryse Smith is a Training and Consultation Specialist at The Elizabeth M. Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities. In her role at The Boggs Center, Sunne-Ryse provides training and technical assistance to schools involved in the NJ Positive Behavior Supports in Schools project, a partnership between the New Jersey State Department of Education , Office of Special Education Programs, and The Boggs Center. Sunne-Ryse received her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology with a minor in Psychology from Lincoln University in Pennsylvania. She received a Master of Arts degree in School Psychology with certification from Fairleigh Dickinson University-Teaneck campus where she is also currently completing her doctorate in School Psychology. Sunne-Ryse has extensive experience working within the school system. As a school psychologist, she has worked with school-aged students from 3-21 years old, and provided training and support to a wide range of school staff. Sunne-Ryse's interests include overrepresentation of minorities in special education and cultural competency, program development, and religion as a community support.

Carol Brittton, M.S.W.

Carol Britton was promoted to Training and Consultation Specialist at The Boggs Center. Carol will work with The Boggs Center Self-Directed Supports team in the development and provision of training and technical assistance activities with families, consumers, DDD, providers, professionals and community groups. She will provide training in Person-Centered Thinking and Essential Lifestyle Planning across the state. Carol will also provide training and technical assistance on workforce evelopment for direct-support professionals.
Carol received a M.S.W degree from the Rutgers University School of Social Work with a concentration in Nonprofit and Public Administration specializing in Health, Mental Health and Aging. She completed the Interdisciplinary Traineeship Program at The Boggs Center in the 2006/2007 academic year. Carol's interests include disability policy, life- span issues, capacity building, and program development.

Wendy Kuziemski

Wendy Kuziemski has been working at The Boggs Center as a support staff for the past seven years and recently was promoted to the Event Coordinator position. In her new role, Wendy will coordinate annual statewide conferences on Supported Employment, Positive Behavior Supports, Self-Directed Supports, and Cultural Competency as well as assist with the planning of the eight Developmental Disabilities Lecture Series eventsheld by The Center each year. Wendy will be working under the supervision of RobynCarroll, MSW, Communications Manager.

Carrie Coffield, M.S.

Carrie Coffield received her Masters Degree in Psychology from the University of Notre Dame. She attends Rutgers University to attain her Ph.D. in Social/Developmental Psychology. She completed the Interdisciplinary Traineeship Program at The Boggs Center during the 2006/2007 academic year. She now serves as Project Coordinator for the Children with Early Hearing Loss and Existing Comorbid Conditions in NJ project, which is focused on families with a child with hearing loss and other existing conditions to determine why accessing services might be especially challenging for them. 

Welcome Interdisciplinary Trainees

Julie Caubet

Julie received a B.A. degree in Criminal Justice from Rutgers University.
Julie is in her second year of the M.S.W program at the Rutgers University School of Social Work with a concentration in Nonprofit Management and Administration and specialization in children & families. Julie will be working under the supervision of Robyn Carroll, MSW, Communications Manager. Julie will also be working on research with the Positive Behavior Supports in Schools project under the direction of Dr. Sharon Lohrmann.

Jun Choi

As a child, Jun experienced human disability directly with his father who had brain injury for 6 years before his death. This experience motivated Jun to become interested in human disabilities and inclusive ministries. Jun Choi received his Masters of Divinity degree from Methodist Theological Seminary in Seoul, Korea. He completed a Master's degree in Theological Studies at Drew University Theological School. In his studies, he focuses in areas of human disability, and its relation to ministry. At The Boggs Center, Jun will be working with Reverend Bill Gaventa to explore and learn more about Korean Communities and service providers that work to promote full participation of people with disabilities in life.

Susan Head

Susan received her B.A. in History and Political Science from The Open University in England. She is currently in her final year at Rutgers University Graduate School of Social Work, with a concentration in Nonprofit and Public Administration. Susan has lived in a number of different countries, and has a specific interest in international development, especially as it relates to disability issues. She is also interested in disability policy and research, including how cultural and linguistic factors impact people with developmental disabilities in terms of access to services. Susan will be working under the supervision of Michael Knox, Ph.D., Deputy Director.

Karen Lenard

Karen Lenard began working with individuals with developmental disabilities in 1987. Her career in this field began with adults in group homes and expanded to include individuals in work skills training programs. Karen received a Masters degree in Behavior Analysis from Temple University. She is currently board certified as a Behavior Analyst with her MS.Ed. In more recent years, she has gained extensive research experience working with children at the Douglass Developmental Disabilities Center as the Research Coordinator. Research areas include some focus on social skills, language acquisition, and strong emphasis on functional analysis in the natural environment. Currently, she is pursuing a doctoral degree in school psychology. At The Boggs Center, Karen will be working under supervision of Dan Baker, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Director of Transition and Supported Employment.

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