Who Are We? (Staff)
About Special Kids’s paid staff members include:
Rebecca Kirby - Executive Director
In October of 2004, Rebecca Kirby took over for the founding Executive Director of About Special Kids, Donna Gore Olsen. As the sister of a person with special needs, Rebecca brings a unique family perspective to the organization. Rebecca holds a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Ball State University and a Master of Public Affairs degree from Indiana University. During her graduate program, she focused on nonprofit management and joins these skills with her family perspective on disability to run About Special Kids and to lead it in new directions. Rebecca provides general fiscal oversight to the organization, is responsible for grants management, fundraising, marketing, human resources management, and oversees the overall operations of the organization. Rebecca reports to About Special Kids’s Board of Directors. Her passion in working for About Special Kids comes from her family experiences and from her various professional experiences working with individuals with special needs and their families.
Jane Scott - Director of Family Support
Jane Scott serves as the Director of Family Support for About Special Kids. This role engages her in many areas of overseeing family support and education. Jane supervises the staff Parent Liaisons through the Indiana Parent Education Project, the Family 2 Family UTS grant, the Indiana Family to Family Health Care Information and Education Center grant, and the Near East Side Community Parent Resource Center funded by the U.S Department of Education. . Jane came to About Special Kids in 1997 as a Parent Liaison and still enjoys advocating for children with special needs. Her passion for this work has been driven by the parenting of her son, who was born missing most of all four limbs and who started college at Purdue University in the fall of 2006.
Previous to becoming a parent of three children, Jane completed an undergraduate degree in social work and a master’s degree in youth ministry. The studies and training in both of these degrees prepared her for the advocating she has done for her son and for her present work at About Special Kids.
Nancy Stone - Project Director
Nancy Stone has been employed by About Special Kids since 1998. She started at About Special Kids as a part-time Parent Liaison and in 2005 was named the Project Director for the Managed Care Organization (MCO) Project. Prior to being employed by About Special Kids, she served on the About Special Kids Board of Directors and became active in Neo-Fight, Inc. (a local perinatal support group chairing fundraisers) and in the national CCHS Family Network, serving on its board and chairing fundraising committees and planning three international conferences. Nancy is also involved in other school and community volunteer activities. Nancy holds a Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts from Indiana University.
Nancy has two children; Matt, who has a rare breathing disorder that requires that he be on a ventilator during sleep and illness, and Allison, who has asthma. Her passions include helping families and the professionals that serve them, understand options under both private and public insurance, and other community resources that offer practical, financial, and peer support. Nancy also has a keen interest in expanding About Special Kids’ presence in the state, possibly through more innovative programs such as the MCO Project.
Marsha Cheesman - Parent Liaison
Marsha Cheesman has been a Parent Liaison at About Special Kids since 1992. Over the years her duties have changed but her primary focus now is talking with families and helping them locate resources for their children with special needs. Marsha spends her days talking with parents and professionals through out the state, working on health care financing issues, special education issues, child care issues, finding resources and providing assistance to families and professionals. Marsha began at About Special Kids when her son Richie, who is multiply disabled, was seven years old. Richie has "grown up" with the organization. Along with her family, Marsha has personally navigated the health care and special education systems. She is now navigating the adult world of disabilities.
Lisa Kutschera - Parent Liaison
Lisa Kutschera joined the ASK team in February, 2007 as a Parent Liaison for the Managed Care Organization Project. Previously, Lisa was a Medicaid Waiver Case Manager assisting families and individuals with the programming and services available through this program. Starting as a teenager and proceeding through college, Lisa worked as a direct care worker for individuals with disabilities. After Graduating from The College of St. Benedict, Lisa proceeded obtained the position of QMRP.
In 1998, Lisa and her husband relocated to the Indianapolis area. While residing here, they welcomed 2 boys into the family. The youngest received services through the First Steps program and was later diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. He now receives services through the public school system and is in an integrated Kindergarten classroom.
Shannon Fravel - Parent Liaison (southern Indiana)
Shannon Fravel is the Parent Liaison for Clark, Floyd, Harrison, and Scott Counties. She currently works with families and professionals to provide information on community supports, education law, health care financing, and parent support. She was a First Steps Service Coordinator for 6 years for Crawford and Harrison Counties.
Shannon is the mother of triplets in addition to another child. One of her triplets has cerebral palsy, hydrocephalus (has a shunt), and is visually impaired. Two other children are speech delayed. All of her children have received services through First Steps and continue to receive services through school and other agencies. She really loved the support she received through First Steps and wanted to be a part of that program and became a Service Coordinator. She became aware of the regional Parent Liaison position and was eager to become a part of a parent- centered organization. She is very passionate about children and their families and wants to provide information and support to help families become their own best advocate.
Heather Sosenheimer - Parent Liaison (Allen County)
Heather Sosenheimer joined ASK in August 2007 and is a Parent Liaison in the Fort Wayne / Allen County office. Heather has lived in Fort Wayne for over ten years. She and her husband Rick have four children. She currently works with families and professionals to provide information on community supports, education law, health care financing, and parent support. Heather has a medical background in Ob-gyn and Pediatrics.
Heather is also the mother of four children who all have special needs and chronic health conditions ranging from Autism to Asthma. The whole family also has Arnold-Chiari Malformation. Heather and two of her children are also receiving treatment for Pseudotumor Cerebri. Heather volunteers her time with on-line support groups and assists in raising funds for research for Pesudotumor/ Chiari. Heather’s commitment for children with special needs comes from years of experience and struggles with her own family. Through these experiences, she was led to ASK and uses the skills she has learned to help other families like her own.
Patty Reed - Parent Liaison
Patty Reed is a part-time bilingual Parent Liaison at About Special Kids. She started as a consultant for Spanish speaking families in 2003. Currently she works part-time as a Parent Liaison in the central office and one day a week at the Pecar Community Health Center. Patty works with both English and Spanish speaking families providing assistance with issues regarding special education as well as health care financing and other community resources. She also conducts trainings on Special Education Laws in Spanish.
Patty received her Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia. Her husband is a Research Advisor at Eli Lilly. His work brought them to Indianapolis, where Patty worked as a Chemist in an environmental testing company. She is the parent of a son and daughter who are twins who received services through the First Steps program. Her daughter has Autism and continues to receive Special Education services through the public school. Being her daughter’s advocate has given Patty valuable experience and knowledge in community resources and the Special Education system. Patty likes to use her experience and her fluency in Spanish to help families in the Indianapolis area and across the state.
Autumn Hillman - Parent Liaison
Autumn became a Parent Liaison for ASK in May of 2007. She currently works with families and professionals to provide information on community support, information relating to disabilities, special education law, health care financing and parent support. Autumn also is currently pursuing her R.N. license.
Autumn’s four children all have special needs and chronic health conditions
Madison - has Arnold-Chiari Malformation Type 1 (ACM 1) and Syringomyelia
Prestin - has ACM 1, ADHD and Pseudotumor Cerebri
Gabriel - has ACM 1, Pseudotumor Cerebri, Autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, G-tube and a variety of other chronic health conditions
Amélie - has ACM 1, Dysphagia, Central sleep apnea, Developmental delays, Speech delays and Physical delays requiring orthotics.
Autumn also volunteers her time to an Arnold-Chiari Malformation online parent support group. In this capacity Autumn assists in offering support to newly diagnosed families. Autumn and her family have also been involved in genetic research studies to assist in finding a genetic link to Arnold-Chiari Malformation. Autumn’s passion to join ASK has come from being a parent of four children with special needs and living with chronic medical conditions herself, ACM 1 and Pseudotumor Cerebri. Autumn looks forward to helping other families needing support.
Sandy Workman - Parent Liaison
Sandy Workman has been a parent liaison for ASK since May 2007 and is working in the Indianapolis office on a part-time basis. Sandy lives with her husband, Rick, and 2 children, Stephanie, 16, and Zachary 12. Zachary has autism. Stephanie is a really strong advocate for her brother and others with disabilities. Advocating for children with autism and all children with special needs has become an important focus for the entire family.
Prior to joining the ASK staff, Sandy worked as a case manager for the First Steps program through Anthony Wayne Services. Sandy also worked for several years as both an investigator and an intake officer at the Indiana Civil Rights Commission. Sandy feels very lucky to have been able to work in the areas of her two passions – civil rights and advocating for those with special needs. Sandy has Social Work and Criminal Justice undergraduate degrees from Anderson University.
June Davis - Parent Liaison
June Davis is a parent liaison for the Near Eastside Power Program project. June brings to the table many years of experience with children who have special needs. She has two daughters who have ADHD. The oldest has graduated from the University of Louisville and has obtained her Masters Degree, and the younger daughter is active in Youth and Government through the YMCA, and Vice President of her schools student council. Her son is an accomplished musician and attends one of the IPS Magnet Schools where he is concentrating on the Arts and Humanities. June received her CDA/BA in Early Childhood education in Europe. She has owned and operated her own preschool and daycare center in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. Also, she has taught preschool and kindergarten for over 20 years, specializing in teaching children with special needs. She lived in Europe for over seven years and worked with soldiers that were parents of children with special needs. She is married to Bobby Davis Sr. and he is a teacher for the IPS school system. They reside in Indianapolis, IN.
Suzanne Aaron - Parent Liaison
Suzanne joined the Central Office team in February 2008 as a Parent Liaison. She and her husband have a son who is the light of their lives and who was diagnosed with Autism and Severe Receptive and Expressive Language Disorder in 2005. He started with First Steps at the age of 15 months. He attended developmental preschool in the public schools for three years, and is now attending a Verbal Behavior school full-time where he receives 25-30 hours a week of intensive therapy. He currently receives OT services and is undergoing biomedical treatments for autism. Suzanne attended the national Defeat Autism Now! (DAN!) conference in April 2007, and she is familiar with many biomedical treatments for autism spectrum disorders.
Suzanne's son has also benefitted greatly from adapted physical education and therapeutic horseback riding programs.
Suzanne is a classically trained mezzo soprano who sings professionally and teaches voice lessons. In addition, she is pleased to be able to use her more recent experience as a parent of a special-needs child to help other families get the services and support they need for their children and themselves.
Karyn Willmann - Parent Liaison
Karyn Willmann joined the ASK team in October, 2008 as a part time Parent Liaison working in the central office. Karyn has previously worked as a First Steps Service Coordinator and a Parent Mentor with the Noble Center. Karyn lives with her husband Rob, twin daughters, Abbey and Grace (8), and son Jacob (11) who is diagnosed with Moebius Syndrome, CVS, and Autism.
Jacob has experienced medical issues due to low tone and facial paralysis and he is an amputee with limb differences. Jacob is non verbal however types through the use of augmentative devices and Facilitated Communication. Jacob continues to be Karyn’s inspiration and motivation to support other families who have children with special needs.
Robin Gorton - Parent Liaison
Robin Gorton joined the ASK team as a parent liaison in October 2008. She enjoys working with families and professionals to provide information and resources available for children with special needs. Robin holds an education degree from the University of North Texas and was a public school educator for 6 ½ years.
Robin and her husband Mike moved to Indiana in 2003. They have three beautiful children, Katherine born in 2006, Audrey born in 2002 and Jakob who was born in 2001 with Spina Bifida. When first arriving in Indiana, they received wonderful help via Riley Hospital and its referring services. It was her appreciation for this help that has given her a passion to help other families in finding resources.
Robin is an active participant with the Spina Bifida Association of Central Indiana.
Carol Andersen - Receptionist
Carol Andersen, receptionist, joined About Special Kids in the fall of 2007. She, her husband John, and their two sons live in Indianapolis. She is active at St Matthew Catholic Church and holds a DMA in Vocal Music. She holds degrees in Music Education and Vocal Performance. She recently completed two years home schooling her teenage son.
Cindy Robinson - Information Specialist
Cindy Robinson joined the ASK team in November 2007 as the Information Specialist. Her main role at ASK is maintaining the Resource Directory and the central Resource Room. Cindy holds a Bachelor Degree in Psychology from DePauw University. She has worked previously as a Respite Care Coordinator and an Independent Living Skills Instructor, as well as an advisor for the Indianapolis Self-Advocates group through Noble Centers. She and her husband, Mike, have two children.
Stephanie Ford - Office Coordinator
Stephanie joined the Central Office team in June 2008 as the Office Coordinator. Her duties with ASK include vendor management, payroll and attendance management among other responsibilities. She and her husband Todd have three sons, Mathew, Patrick and Hunter. Mathew has a diagnosis of Pervasive Developmental Disorder and Patrick has Hypohidrotic Ectodermal Dysplasia which limits his ability to sweat, maintain a normal body temperature, fight infections, and he is also missing many adult teeth and has severe allergies related to this condition. Prior to coming to ASK Stephanie worked for the YMCA for 4 years starting after her family moved to Indianapolis from Pennsylvania.
Danielle Conley - Regional Parent Liaison
Danielle Conley serves as a Parent Liaison for the First Steps / Family 2 Family project. After receiving her Bachelors degree from Indiana University’s School of Public and Environmental Affairs, she worked in the private sector for several years. Her daughter Abigail has Down syndrome, a congenital heart defect, and hypothyroidism. After receiving First Steps services, Abigail has transitioned into the public school system, and participates in private therapy as well. Danielle discovered ASK through her family’s own challenges navigating the world of special needs service providers. Inspired by Abigail’s positive outlook and energy, Danielle is excited to have the opportunity to help other families as ASK helped her own.
Lorrie Dunkelberger - Regional Parent Liaison
Lorrie lives in Granger, IN with her husband Scott and their four children. Their children are: Nicholas born in 1991 has ADHD and asthma, Michael born in 1999, Victoria born in 2002 has a Med-El Cochlear implant and a hearing aid, Julianna was born in 2004 has 2 hearing aids, asthma, atrialseptial defect and mega colon. She has been a Parent advocate for Med-El Corporation since 2003. She loves to help families navigate through the system to get what their children need.
Sonya Hedge - Regional Parent Liaison
Sonya Hedge united with the ASK family in January 2008 serving as a Parent Liaison. She devoted 14 years to working in public relations involving income based government programs as a HUD Occupancy Specialist and values this experience within her community.
Sonya and her husband were married in 1994. They have been blessed with 6 boys and of these have experienced the loss of 2 which passed at birth due to hydrocephalus and multiple complications. Additionally, one of her children was diagnosed with Angelman Syndrome, a genetic disorder involving the deletion of chromosome 15.
Sonya and her family were embraced by First Steps and were given invaluable knowledge and support through the services her son received. Through this assistance, the outreach efforts of agencies such as ASK, and her inspiring child, Sonya states she was able to find her “purpose”, which will be fulfilled by this position. Armed with a new found passion, she is currently working with families and professionals providing information relating to disabilities, community support, education law, healthcare financing and parent support. Sonya is determined to empower parents of disabled children with the strength that comes from resource education, training and information specific to their child’s needs. She is extremely proud to be a part of ASK and the mission to assist fellow parents on this challenging but wonderfully insightful journey.
Holly Paauwe - Regional Parent Liaison
Holly Paauwe is the Family to Family Regional Parent Liaison for First Steps Cluster G and joined ASK in January 2008. In this capacity, she helps families of children receiving First Steps services connect with appropriate community resources, find local support groups, understand special education law, and navigate healthcare finance options.
Holly resides in the Irvington neighborhood with her husband and their two children, Caiden and Avery. Aside from a history of ear infections and a host of environmental allergies, Caiden, born in 2001, is a typically developing child. Avery, born in 2005, was diagnosed with left hemimegalencephaly (HME), a condition wherein which the left side of her cerebral cortex did not form properly. The condition caused an intractable seizure disorder, vision impairment and global developmental delays and currently requires her to be tube fed. Avery underwent a brain surgery known as a hemispherectomy in an attempt to rid her of the seizure disorder and improve her quality of life. Avery also has a strong allergy to peanuts.
Holly has a degree in geology and chemistry and previously worked as a geologist for the Indiana Dept. of Environmental Management in Indianapolis prior to the birth of Avery. Holly is excited and passionate about helping other families get the information they need to effectively advocate for their child(ren). She has and continues to support the families of other children with HME, is active on the Hemimegalencephaly list serve, and is currently working on a HME support group webpage.
Michele Robb - Regional Parent Liaison
Michele Robb is the Family to Family Parent Liaison for Cluster J which includes Franklin, Decatur, Bartholomew, Brown, Monroe, Lawrence, Jackson, Jennings, Ripley, Dearborn, Ohio, Switzerland and Jefferson Counties. Michele has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and has previously worked as a developmental therapist for First Steps.
Michele has been married to James since 1991 and has 3 children, Logan, Sam and Ryan. Sam has a diagnosis of seizures disorder and Tourette’s Syndrome. Ryan has a diagnosis of autism.
Michele is also involved with The Arc, INSource and Easter Seals as well as a 2007 graduate of Partners in Policymaking. She has participated in the First Steps South East Council since 2004 and the Governor’s Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC) since 2007.
Alicia Wessendorf - Regional Parent Liaison
Alicia Hillis Wessendorf is the Regional Parent Liaison for Cluster E serving Cass, Fulton, Grant, Howard, Kosciusko, Marshall, Miami, Pulaski, Starke, and Wabash Counties. She was previously a Service Coordinator for First Steps for Clinton, Howard, and Miami Counties and a group therapist serving children in Wayne County.
Alicia resides in Howard County with her husband and three children. Both her sons received services through First Steps and continue to receive services through their local school system. Her oldest son was born 14 weeks premature in 2000. His diagnoses include Autism, Asthma, Epilepsy, Muscle Disease and a probable Metabolic Disorder. Her youngest son has an Articulation Disorder and sensory issues. Her step-daughter has ADD. Alicia looks forward to using her experience as a mother and a professional in helping families receive the support and assistance they need.
Amy Walker - Regional Parent Liaison
My Name is Amy Walker and I am the Family to Family Parent Liaison for the counties of Vermillion, Parke, Putnam, Vigo, Clay, Owen, Sullivan, Greene, Knox, Daviess and Martin. I am a co-chair for Walk Now for Autism in Terre Haute.
I married Chris in 2003. We were blessed with Levi in 2005. Levi currently holds a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder. We are still learning about Levi. We recently found out that he also has a micro deletion on Chromosome 15. Along with the typical characteristics of Autism, Levi also has balance and coordination issues, strong food aversions, sensory issues, hypotonia and is nonverbal at this time. Levi also wears orthotics.
I have spent 9 years in the Child Care field and completed my CDA in June of 2006. I have always enjoyed working with children, however Levi has helped me realize that there was another path I was meant to follow. As a parent of a recently diagnosed child, I understand how it feels to not know where to start to look for services for your child. It can be very overwhelming. I look forward to helping parents along their journey to provide the best care for their children as I continue my own journey.
Melissa Maj - Regional Parent Liaison
Melissa Maj is the Parent Liaison for Cluster A ( Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Newton, and Jasper counties). She currently works with families and professionals to provide information on community supports, education law, health care, financing, and parent support. When her son Braden was diagnosed with Autism, she began researching and educating herself on special needs and Autism to learn how to work with her son and get the help he needs. She has become aware of special needs children and their journeys through the eyes of the parents and families.
Melissa lives in Merrillville, In. with her husband Mike and their two children. Their daughter Taylor was born in 1999 and is currently being evaluated to find the cause of her symptoms, but seems to be a typical child. Their son Braden was born in 2004 and was diagnosed with PDD(NOS) at 18 months. Brady recieved services through First Steps and has come a long way. When he was 3, he was diagnosed with Autism and is currently recieving therapies through the school system and privately.
Melissa has had a passion for wanting to work with special needs families to guide them and provide the support that they need. Her goal is to succeed in doing all that is possible to assist families and help them become strong advocates for their children. Through her own personal experiences, she was drawn to About Special Kids to use the skills she's learned to help make a difference in the lives of local families.
Toni Modglin - Regional Parent Liaison
Toni joined ASK in 2008 as the Parent Liaison for Lake and Porter counties. She currently works with families and professionals to provide information on community supports, special education law, health care financing, and family support.
Toni and her husband, Chad, have been married for 10 years and reside in Lake county. They have two children, Damon who is 9 years old and very gifted, and Chase who is 6 and has a diagnosis of Autism. They also have guardianship of their 11 year old niece who has a unilateral hearing loss and learning disability.
Toni’s passion is educating and empowering families. She was a First Steps Service Coordinator in Cluster A for 3 years. Toni was drawn to ASK because of the opportunity to help families become their child’s best advocate.