laurie yankowitz

company owner

About

More than 30 years experience working with families of individuals with developmental disabilities; start-up and administration of family support programs and service coordination; writing of policy and procedure manuals, design of program applications and other system documentation; development of data tracking systems. Goals: Consult to families, schools, and other organizations to develop curriculum and in-service staff to promote skill development for people with intellectual disabilities that promotes self-reliance, a sense of well-being, and a sense of belonging. Collaborate with others on efficient and effective ways to measure effectiveness of skill development programs for individuals and/or groups of people. Specialties: Expertise in the learning and behavioral profile of Fragile X Syndrome. Strong behavioral background; knowledge of SCERTS.

Country

united states

City

new york

Industry

non-profit organization management

Skill

public speaking, program development, community outreach, differentiated instruction, program management, curriculum design, research, staff development, nonprofits, fundraising, teaching, policy, developmental disabilities, volunteer management, editing, grant writing, program evaluation, non profits, excellent writing and editing skills, mac/pc proficient, differentiating instruction, curriculum development, public policy

Experience

vice president of the board

extreme kids and crew

2011-1 - 2013-1 · 2 yrs 1 mo

speaker

chicago educational seminar on fragile x syndrome

2011-1 - 2011-1 · 1 mo

alumnus

teachers college, columbia university

2002-1 - 2010-1 · 8 yrs 1 mo

chairperson

brooklyn developmental disabilities council

1999-9 - 2003-6 · 3 yrs 10 mos

Chaired a monthly borough-wide forum in which individuals with developmental disabilities, their families and advocates, service providers, and government employees responsible for monitoring and funding services gather to share information about available services, unmet needs, and news relevant to the audience.

director, individualized supports and support broker

heartshare human services of new york

2017-1 - 2019-7 · 2 yrs 7 mos

My current responsibilities are now primarily focused on providing support broker services, assisting individuals and their families in accessing supports and services through self-direction. This shift in my professional focus is proving to be a great fit, giving me an opportunity to put my 30 years of DD experience based in NYC to stimulating and rewarding use. I enjoy working directly with families, who inspire me with their dedication to bringing out the best in people whose abilities and talents can be too readily overshadowed by significant disabilities.

career professional, developmental disabilities

heartshare human services of new york

1990-12 - 2016-1 · 25 yrs 2 mos

* Starting as a coordinator of a large respite/recreation program, responsibilities have expanded over my HeartShare career as I obtained funding and started up 14 programs, including respite/recreation, parent training, and service coordination * I co-chair the agency's Autism Research Committee * and I've sent people with DD tubing on the Delaware, riding in helicopters, and bicycling on Cape Cod.

vice president, board of directors; advisory member, board of directors

dreamstreet theatre company

2015-6 - 2017-6 · 2 yrs 1 mo

I continue my involvement with DreamStreet As an advisor to the Executive Director.

adjunct professor

teachers college, columbia university

2019-1 - Present · 7 yrs 9 mos

* Designer and instructor of curriculum for master's level on-line course: Opportunities and Outcomes for Adults with Developmental Disabilities, with a focus on the the origins of person-centered planning * finding and accessing resources * personal stories of people with I/DD * and preparation for successful achievement of adult outcomes. The course uses a mix of videos, articles from academic, government, service provider and individual/family based organizations, and hands-on exercises.

company owner

yankowitz consulting dd services

2019-8 - Present · 7 yrs 2 mos

adjunct assistant professor

st. john's university

2017-9 - 2018-6 · 10 mos

Taught Introduction to Special Education and Introduction to Research Methods to master's level students in Teaching Fellows program.

speaker

connecticut conference on fragile x syndrome

2011-1 - 2011-1 · 1 mo

Presented on transitioning from school to adult services and adult service options with Fragile X Syndrome in mind

vice president for individualized supports at heartshare human services of new york

heartshare human services of new york

2013-9 - 2016-12 · 3 yrs 4 mos

This position supports a focus on understanding each person HeartShare supports on an individual basis, including facilitating brainstorming to find innovative and creatively customized strategies to enhance quality of life, and assisting in developing methods to accurately assess progress toward achievement of personally meaningful outcomes. Responsibilities include oversight of Medicaid Service Coordination, the Options Reimbursement Program, Fragile X Information and Referral, the HEROIC project, and development of HeartShare's self-direction program. As a CQL certified trainer, I have helped train 50 staff; I've also reviewed and personally administered numerous POMs interviews.

Education

blair academy

1971-1 - 1973-1 · 2 yrs 1 mo

boston university

special education

1978-1 - 1981-1 · 3 yrs 1 mo

binghamton university

psychology

1974-1 - 1978-1 · 4 yrs 1 mo

Activities and Societies: Studied with Dr. Ray Romanczyk; independent study in learning disabilities clinic and lab pre-school

teachers college, columbia university

special education

2002-1 - 2010-1 · 8 yrs 1 mo

Dissertation topic: A Different Point of View: Effects of Prompting for Eye Contact on Task Performance in Boys with Fragile X Syndrome and Boys with Autism Activities and Societies: Fellow in the Center for Outcomes and Opportunities