About Us
Our Parent Family Partners
Our Parent-Family Partners are parents with firsthand experience navigating educational systems. Each person brings specialized knowledge and advocacy expertise, to ensure families receive competent and empathetic guidance. They understand the challenges, victories, and importance of having someone in their corner—because they’ve done this too. Meet the team!
-
Tina Carney
STUDENT SUCCESS PROJECT COORDINATOR
Lived Experiences & Specialties: ADHD, language-based learning disabilities (dyslexia & dysgraphia), Early Intervention Program, Preschool Special Education, social justice, meaningful family engagement, advocacy
Why I’m a Parent-Family Partner: My family has tremendously benefited from learning from parents with similar experiences and I’m thrilled to pay it forward. -
Tiffany Howard
PARENT FAMILY PARTNER
Lived Experiences/Specialties: Early intervention, autism spectrum disorder, supporting high-functioning autism
Why I’m a Parent-Family Partner: I enjoy being engaged with other families, sharing my lived experience, and helping parents find the resources they need to support their children. -
Lisa Singletary
PARENT FAMILY PARTNER
Lived Experiences/Specialties: Twice/thrice-exceptional (2e & 3e) learners, autism spectrum disorder, speech and language-based disabilities, Gestalt Language Processing, academic advocacy
Why I’m a Parent-Family Partner: I enjoy working alongside parents to advocate for their children’s success and ensure they receive the support they need.
-
Julie Falkowski
PARENT FAMILY PARTNER
Lived Experiences/Specialties: Disabilities, diagnoses, spectrum disorders, safety plans, 504 and IEP accommodations, Superintendent’s Hearings, manifestation determinations, school/family communications
Why I’m a Parent-Family Partner: I enjoy helping create pathways forward for families and schools so that students can achieve success in their education.
-
Heather Dulisse
PARENT FAMILY PARTNER
Lived Experiences/Specialties: ASD, ADHD, LGBTQ+, school avoidance, Special Education programming, tiered instruction, K-12 education advocacy
Why I’m a Parent-Family Partner: I am passionate about social justice and helping families navigate the education system so every child has access to the support they need to thrive.
-
Annissa Hines
PARENT FAMILY PARTNER
Lived Experiences/Specialties: Supporting families in need, community advocacy
Why I’m a Parent-Family Partner: I love being able to help families and connect them to the resources they need to support their children’s success.
-
Jennifer George
PARENT FAMILY PARTNER
Lived Experiences/Specialties: IEP development, improving present levels and goals, data-driven advocacy
Why I’m a Parent-Family Partner: I love working with data to help improve outcomes for students.
Our Steering Team
Our Steering Team is a passionate group of professionals and leaders who fight for every student to receive the quality education to which they are entitled. Impatient for change and committed to equity, they shape the vision, strategy, and impact of the Student Success Project.
Cara Carey-Fitzgerald - Chief Program Officer & Director of EnCompass
Tina Carney - Student Success Project Coordinator
Rebecca Ferri - Chief Development & Communications Officer
Deborah Hanmer - Breakthrough Leadership Consulting, Founder & CEO
Joseph Martino - President & Chief Executive Officer
Annmarie Urso, PhD - SUNY Geneseo, Professor of Special Education
Contact Us
We’re here to support you and your child’s educational journey. Whether you need guidance on school meetings, help accessing resources, or one-on-one coaching, we’re ready to assist. Reach out to connect with our team and explore how we can support your family.
Click the ‘Connect me.’ button to complete our contact form. A parent-family partner will be in touch within 48 hours.