PEATC is staffed by a talented and diverse group of parents and professionals committed to building better futures for children with disabilities by working collaboratively with families, schools and professionals who serve them, to improve opportunities for excellence in education and success in school and community life.

is the Executive Director of PEATC where she directs the varied programs of the center. She is a nationally recognized disability advocate and a firm believer in the power of partnerships that can help families and professionals to build better futures for children and youth with and without disabilities. Cherie's policy and advocacy endeavors have stimulated change at the local, state and federal levels. Her areas of expertise cover family and disability policy, literacy, early intervention, special education, cultural competency, juvenile justice, No Child Left Behind, foster care and transition. She has authored numerous publications and curricula and is a co-author of 4th Edition of Negotiating the Special Education Maze, published by Woodbine House. Cherie is the parent of two children, including Pete, who is youth leader and self-advocate

is PEATC's Director of Programs and Operations and the Director of the Parent Training and Information Program serving families of children with disabilities. She taught elementary school for five years before becoming an Educational Advocate for military and civilian families, as well as her own children. She changed her career path in order to dedicate her talents to helping families of children with special needs. She brings a rich background in education, administration, management, training, and advocacy Suzanne is the proud mother of four children, two of whom have special needs.

is the Administrative Coordinator for PEATC's main office. She has a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Journalism from Virginia Commonwealth University. After graduating, Shantice began her career by working in the editorial department for a national science information union. In her spare time, Shantice volunteers as a board member and grant-writing assistant for TAWHP, Inc., a local non-profit that aims to help seniors and disabled adults find affordable housing. She is also an associate board member of Volunteer Loudoun, a program that provides information, referral, training, and recognition of volunteer activities in Loudoun County, and shares volunteer ideas and resources with other Northern Virginia counties. Shantice also enjoys writing and public speaking, having done both for her church since childhood. She plans to bring writing and public speaking to the forefront of her career through her efforts at PEATC, and in other ventures.

is a researcher, grant writer, advocate, facilitator, conference planner and more. Most recently, Carolyn served as federal project manager at the Counsel for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), where she directed a $450,000 contract from Health and Human Services to incorporate disaster mental health competencies into the 2009 standards of the counseling profession. For over 25 years, both personally and professionally, she has promoted inclusive communities that recognize the strengths and unique contributions of every individual. Carolyn first worked at PEATC in 1980, developing training programs for parents, self advocates, and school and rehabilitation professionals. She coordinated an Illinois statewide network of NEXT STEPS volunteer trainers recognized as ‘strangely stable' by the Illinois Department of Rehabilitation Services. Carolyn believes in the mission of PEATC down to her toes!

returned to PEATC as the Transition Coordinator after serving on the PEATC Board of Directors (past President) and a PEATC Regional Trainer. She is a former Transition Specialist for a public school system and volunteers with an international disease specific organization, working with families on building capacity for advocating through the medical and educational systems. Using both practical and professional experience, Catherine encourages families to take an active role in advocating for their children with special needs. She is the grateful mom of four children.

is a Partnership Facilitator the Parent Involvement Resource Center. Nichole is "go to" person for parents seeking information about how schools work, and the Solid Foundation partnerships with schools.Her broad background of experience includes 2 years as an information specialist, 12 years of administrative work and 5 years working with children. She studied early childhood education at Charles County Community College and Salisbury State University. Nichole has two young daughters, Eden and Nevaeh.

Dr. Fajardo is Director of Outreach for the Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC). She came the US from Colombia when her advocacy as a special advisor to the Justice Minister, brought threats against her life. Her background in advocacy, community organization, and empowerment she has touched countless children and families with a message of hope and change. Rosalia's personal experiences, as a parent of a child with disabilities and a refugee make her an invaluable and compassionate source of support for immigrant families. Rosalia's expertise and knowledge of services has made her a lifeline for immigrant families, connecting them with the critical resources and support they need and offering the inspiration to create opportunities for their children.

Director of Training, Parent Educational Advocacy Training Center (PEATC). From 1997-2001, Cathy worked for PEATC and developed model trainings for IDEA, foster care, literacy, and the Virginia Comprehensive Services Act. She left to become a Joseph P. Kennedy Public Policy Fellow assigned to the Office of Disability Employment Policy at the U.S. Department of Labor. Upon completion of her year long fellowship Healy was recruited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Center for Workforce Preparation as a disability program specialist. While at the Chamber Cathy served as the U.S. Chamber representative establishing the U.S. Business Leadership Network. As a Director of Workforce and Education Programs her work focused on transmitting workforce research and policies to a business audience including the recruiting and hiring of people with disabilities and the business benefits of implementing workplace effectiveness strategies. Healy is currently the director of the NEXT STEPS Transition Parent Center funded by the U.S. Department of Education Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA). She is an executive board member of an employment support organization, ICON Community Services and serves as a citizen member of the Alexandria Community Services Board. She is the proud mother of four children the youngest of whom Michael has Down syndrome.

is the Administrative Coordinator for V-PIRC. Renita attended the Human Resource Administration and Leadership Studies program at the University of Richmond. She received her program certificate in HR Management from J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College. Her past work experience consists of over 30 years in different management roles in Human Resource Administration with various Commonwealth of Virginia State agencies, beginning as a Clerk Stenographer with the Virginia Employment Commission in 1977. As of January 1, 2009, Renita ended her tenure with state employment as the Director of Human Resources for the Virginia Department of Business Assistance. Renita was trained and received her certificate as COV State Certified Mediator, Notary Public, and continues to affiliate with both the National Society and Richmond Chapter of the Society of Human Resource Management. She is a devoted wife and proud mother of three children.

Director /Manager of the Richmond V-PIRC office, is the point person for all administration, marketing and educational programming. With twenty-five years of marketing and public relations experience in nonprofit management, Lowrie has worked in national, regional and local fund development and marketing, and served as executive director of the Virginia Home Energy Rating Organization, a pilot program for US Department of Housing and Urban Development and US Department of Energy. Her work with this nonprofit was awarded with a Virginia Senate resolution in 1996. Her great love, educational background, volunteer work, and part of every position she has held has been her work on behalf of the welfare of Virginia's children, especially those who may need extra support to succeed.

is the Senior Information Specialist at PEATC and she has more than ten years of experience working with military families of children with disabilities. She has knowledge of civil rights law for individuals with disabilities through participation in Wrightslaw Special Education and IDEA workshops. She is also a 2005 graduate of the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities' Partners in Policymaking advocacy program. Irene is passionate about advocating for parents of children with disabilities. She is the proud mother of two high school boys, David and Bryan.

is a Bilingual Information Specialist. Since she moved to the Washington DC area six years ago, Patricia has worked on several projects related to her major in Tropical Biology. However, the Autism spectrum diagnosis given three years ago to one of her two children significantly changed what she thought her role in life would be. She decided to learn more about the special needs resources and committed helping Latino families who have children with special needs navigate through the maze of educating their children.

is a Bilingual Information Specialist at the Falls Church Office working for the Latino and other minorities communities through Virginia. He has over 10 years of customer service experience and over 5 years working with the families of children, including children with special health care needs, through Medicaid. Roberto has a Bachelors of Science in Business Administration. He brings expertise in health care, Medicaid and Medicaid waivers and is currently an active member of the Eastern Shore Health Coalition and Hampton Roads Minority Health Coalition. Roberto's passion is helping immigrant families of any condition, because he is an immigrant too. Also Roberto brings to PIRC and PTI programs an extensive network through his past work in Richmond, Chesterfield, Henrico, Hampton Roads and Virginia Eastern Shore.

is the Program Administrator for Virginia's Parents as Teachers (PAT) Program, which provides comprehensive PAT training in the Born to Learn curriculum to state and local home visiting programs. She is also responsible for the early childhood component of the V-PIRC. Before coming to PEATC, she was the Executive Director of the East District Family Resource Center, an outgrowth of the Annie E. Casey Foundation's Urban Mental Health Initiative, where she directed an effort to improve outcomes for children and families in Richmond's Historic Church Hill. Johnette brings a diverse background in program development, working with disadvantaged communities, process facilitation and program implementation.