Black Parent Outreach: An Initiative to Include & Inform

In partnership with Northside Community Involvement, Inc, we are excited to announce the Black Parent Outreach: An Initiative to Include & Inform.

The purpose of this group is to help spread awareness of the characteristics and disparities of developmental, cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and social disorders /disabilities to practitioners and Black families. Ultimately, this group will help to build trust between communities as well as a sense of understanding for caregivers so that they are equipped with information to help bridge the gap with identification and problems with disparities.

Info: Lotoya is a Licensed School Psychologist who has worked in public schools for more than 10 years. She currently works as a School Psychologist for UF Health in Jacksonville, FL within the Neurodevelopmental Pediatric department. Lotoya is committed to being a life-long learner. Her work as an independent field researcher who conducts assessments for standardized assessments helps her to fulfill that commitment. Lotoya has worked to standardize a number of assessments used in the field: Expressive Vocabulary Test (EVT), Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales, Cognitive Assessment System (CAS), Test of Word Reading Efficiency (TOWRE), etc. Furthermore, knowing that early intervention is key, Lotoya is a certified hearing screen technician. In this position, Lotoya works to inform families about the interrelation and effects of hearing and communication before connecting them to medical providers, as determined necessary. In her spare time, she enjoys organizing events, especially game nights

Info: Marlena is a special educator, higher education administrator, and Master IEP Coach®️with over 20 years of experience working with individuals with developmental and behavioral diagnoses. She holds degrees in developmental disabilities and K-12 special education. Professionally, Marlena serves the University of North Florida as the Program Director for USoar, a Florida Comprehensive Transition Program. Marlena's areas of research and interest include, provider and educator coaching, assessment and intervention of student behavior, universal design for learning and trauma-informed educational practice for students with developmental trauma.

Info: John Finch is the director of the State of Florida’s ABLE Program - ABLE United. John helped launch ABLE United in 2016 and manages its success enrolling over 12,000 Floridians helping them save more than $110 million dollars. John is also the Vice Chair for the ABLE Savings Plan Network, a network comprised of ABLE Program Administrators around the country. Previously, he served ten years in the disability field at The Arc of Florida advocating for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. John resides in Tallahassee with his wife and three active boys.

ABLE United was designed specifically for Floridians diagnosed with down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, cognitive and development disabilities, as well as mental health disorders. You’ll learn how ABLE accounts provide an opportunity to save tax-free without impacting eligibility for public benefits like Supplemental Security Income and Medicaid. Use funds for qualified disability expenses.

Host or Publisher UF Jacksonville CARD & FDLRS-MDC