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Keri Ayres |
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President
Serving: Warren, Charlottesville, Richmond and Surrounding Areas
Phone: (800) 417-0908 ext 1
Fax: (703) 468-4958
E-mail: Keri@MomsInMotion.Net
Keri has been active in the disability world since she suspected her son had autism, over 4 years ago. She has over 3 years of experience with consumer direction waivers. Her training in disabilities includes VCU’s program for Parent Navigators and the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities specialized training to be a Partner In Policymaking (class of 2011). Keri is active in many local support groups, her local SEAC, etc.
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Claire Crook |
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Senior Service Facilitator
Serving: Loudon, Fairfax & Arlington Areas
Phone: (800) 417-0908 ext 5
Fax: (703) 436-8855
E-mail: Claire@MomsInMotion.Net
Claire’s experience in working with families who have children with disabilities springs from her own experiences with her two daughters, both of whom have Intellectual Disabilities. Her work has developed as her children have grown and inspired her to acquire an Associate’s Degree in Disabilities Intervention Services.
Her lifetime of work has spanned from Early Intervention, School Age Childcare and most recently as an Educator/Counselor in a group home for Adults with Disabilities. For the past three years, she has worked in a group home for a progressive agency learning about community options for adults. Claire moved to Loudoun County four years ago and has worked with the Loudoun County CSB, parks and recreation, special Olympics and the Loudoun County Public School Special Education Advisory Committee. She prides herself on having a knack for uncovering resources in the community for individuals and their families. |
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Joy Spencer |
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Senior Service Facilitator
Serving: Virginia Beach and Surrounding Areas
Phone: (800) 417-0908 ext 2
Fax: (757) 351-4046
E-mail: Joy@MomsInMotion.Net
As the mother of a child with Asperger’s Syndrome, Joy has been active in the world of disabilities for over 5 years. She has a Math degree and an MBA in Technology Management. Her training in disabilities includes VCU’s program for Parent Navigators and the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities specialized training to be a Partner In Policymaking (class of 2011). Joy is also the co-organizer of a large Asperger’s support group in the Hampton Roads area. She loves working with families and helping people and hopes to make helping families with disabilities a life long journey.
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Frederique Vincent |
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Senior Service Facilitator
Serving: Prince William, Fauquier, Culpeper and Surrounding Areas
Phone: (800) 417-0908 ext 4
Fax: (540) 318-7950
E-mail: Frederique@MomsInMotion.Net
Frederique was born in France and has lived in the United States since 1986. She is the single mother of three teenage children, one of whom has Down syndrome. Frederique has been advocating for her daughter since Day One, reaching out to parents and support groups in Loudoun County and later, in Fauquier County (FRIENDS). She became a member of her local SEAC six years ago, acting as Secretary and now as Chair. She is also a member of the Committee in charge of developing an Inclusion Policy for Fauquier County Public Schools. She holds a post-graduate degree in Journalism and speaks several languages. She has been working for several years as a PPL-authorized attendant to individuals of all ages and with diverse disabilities. She attends most of the trainings offered by her community (hospital, PRC) to gain more insight into the world of advocacy (waivers, trust funds, etc.). Frederique truly enjoys the direct contact with families and the fact that each of her visits can make a difference. |
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 Brett Wills |
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Senior Service Facilitator
Serving: Harrisonburg, Charlottesville, Richmond and Surrounding Areas
Phone: (800) 417-0908 ext 3
Fax: (434) 473-6599
E-mail: Brett@MomsInMotion.Net
Brett is the father of two amazing children. The oldest, remains nonverbal due to autism. The youngest talks enough for both children combined. Brett learned to advocate for his son after first seeing the necessity for it in the school system and seeking the mentorship of others. He began seeking out parents of children with similar needs in order to offer them assistance in advocating for their own children creating a network. He shares his own family’s story as a form of advocacy through social networking where he applies his belief that his sense of humor about himself can occasionally be an advocacy tool.
Brett is a very active community member and advocate. Brett became involved in his local Special Education Advisory Committee after being told of its existence while attempting to start such a thing. Brett assumed the roles of child care coordinator and mentorship/advocacy coordinator. The mentorship/advocacy program continues to operate independently of the SEAC. He is also a member of Shenandoah Valley Autism Partnership (SVAP) and Community of Professionals in Autism. Brett also networks with the ARCs of both Augusta and Rockingham counties. Brett continues to expand his knowledge base by attending workshops such as; Wrightslaw advocacy training, VCU’s Parent Navigator Program, and VB-MAPP assessment seminars.
Brett has taken his advocacy skills to the capital where he has addressed his Delegate and Senator at local meetings on budgetary and disabilities issues. He continues to travel to Richmond to stand with other citizens for the chance to lobby Virginia General Assembly members. Brett has been quoted as an advocate and parent in the Staunton Newsleader and the Washington Post. He has also appeared on local news channels.
It was at an SVAP sponsored Medicaid Waiver training from Moms In Motion that Brett first heard about the EDCD Waiver. As with all resources that could benefit others, he eagerly spreads the word and shares his knowledge on this subject. Brett considers himself blessed by each and every one of his clients from young to old and considers them all to be personal heroes.
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Caroline Raker |
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Senior Service Facilitator
Serving: The Winchester Area
Phone: (800) 417-0908 ext 7
E-mail: Caroline@MomsInMotion.net
Caroline is married and a mother of three children, Whitney 25, who is also married and a mom, and a paralegal working toward her law degree. Her son Andrew 23, serves in the Navy currently living in Sicily for three years, and Alex 11 who has special needs. Caroline is also "Mia" to her first granddaughter, Lorelai.
After eight years as a small business owner and operator of Daily Grind in the Winchester area, Caroline decided she needed to focus on Alex who has cerebral palsy and epilepsy. Thus she closed her businesses to devote her full time to her new passion, helping other parents find the resources they need to successfully care for their loved ones with special needs.
Caroline will conclude training in January 2012 to be certified by the Virginia Supreme Court as a court certified mediator looking to work with the disabled community in issues of housing, education, and work-related issues. In May 2012, Caroline will complete the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities training, Partners in Policymaking, to enhance her advocacy skills at the local, state, and national levels.
Caroline is excited by the opportunity to empower other parents to help their children achieve their highest potential - with a little help from the Commonwealth of Virginia and waivers.
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Mona Holmes |
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Senior Service Facilitator
Serving: The Charlottesville Area
Phone: (800) 417-0908 ext 1
Fax: (434) 473-6599
E-mail: Mona@MomsInMotion.Net
Mona lives in Fluvanna County with her husband and two terrific children. Her involvement in the world of “different abilities” began when she adopted her precious little boy in 2002. Soon it became apparent that he would face a life with many severe intellectual disabilities. Being a proactive person, Mona sought answers on how to best help her son. The answer was to become educated in ways that would help her son succeed in life. She continues to attend trainings and conferences, as well as help organize conferences to help other parents.
Mona is a 2007 graduate of Partners In Policymaking (a program of the Virginia Board for People with Disabilities which trains advocates to step up to leadership roles). She has served as the chairperson of Fluvanna Special Education Advisory Committee (SEAC) for over 7 years. She is also serving her 2nd term as a Parent Representative to the State SEAC (her term ends July 2013).
Mona is most proud of her involvement in a organization “Precious in His Sight” where she serves as co-chairperson. “Precious in His Sight” is dedicated to providing inclusive opportunities (recreational, social, entertainment, etc.) for Fluvanna County residents with special needs.
Mona knows how dramatically a Medicaid waiver and/or the right resources can help a family. She is committed to helping people find those resources. She is very excited to be on the Moms in Motion team!
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Barry McAlister Fletcher |
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Service Facilitator
Serving: Frederick, Shenandoah, Page and Surrounding Counties
Phone: (800) 417-0908 ext 6
E-mail: Barry@MomsInMotion.Net
Barry M. Fletcher is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker whose broad range of specialties includes working with children, adolescents and adults, including the elderly population. Barry has worked in private practice, as well as in foster care, adoptions, senior services, psychiatry and child and adolescent forensic fields.
Barry moved from Washington, DC to Rappahannock County, Virginia nine years ago and became a mother in October 2005. She states, “I became a mother over five years ago, and it has changed and enriched my life beyond my wildest imagination”. Barry is excited and privileged to be able to help other mothers and families in her surrounding communities. |
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Lena Winslow |
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Service Facilitator
Serving: the Richmond Area
Phone: (800) 417-0908 ext 7
E-mail: Lena@MomsInMotion.Net
Lena grew up in Europe. Her mother was a doctor and she was brought up with an interest in the medical profession from the beginning. She moved to the United States as a teenager and completed her degree at the Medical College of Virginia in the field of Nuclear Medicine.
In 2006 when her first daughter was born she and her husband decided Lena would leave her full time job to care for the infant. Lena’s daughter was later diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Lena became very active in searching out answers to questions in her family’s life related to medical treatments, nutrition, and behavioral interventions.. While becoming very familiar with the service system for children with disabilities she realized that not all parents can make that their full-time job. Lena saw a need to provide accurate and up-to-date information to the community.
In an effort to support other families Lena became an active advocate. She is serving her third year on her County’s Special Education Advisory Committee, second year as Vice-Chair of Membership. Lena has also recently graduated from Partners in Policymaking training, a grant funded disability advocacy training program. She has presented testimony to the General Assembly during budget hearings and has also participated as a parent advisor in training early intervention professionals in the Richmond area. She is excited to join the Moms In Motion team and grateful for this opportunity to positively impact other families.
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Debbie Balzer |
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Service Facilitator
Serving: Warren, Frederick, Shenandoah and Surrounding Areas
Phone: (800) 417-0908 ext 8
E-mail: Debbie@MomsInMotion.Net
Debbie's background includes working in assisted living and nursing home facilities. She began working as a receptionist and moved into a position as activities coordinator. She completed her Activities Director Certification in 2006. Debbie greatly enjoyed working with the elderly population.
Subsequently, Debbie was offered a position as a personal care attendant for a child with Autism served via the EDCD waiver and has been working with children for the last several years. As Debbie puts her whole heart into her work and is a proactive individual, she started reading books available to gain insight into the world of disabilities, specifically Autism Spectrum Disorders. She has expanded her knowledge by attending therapies with her clients and integrating the recommended strategies into their routines, both at home and in the community.
Debbie has found working with all ages and abilities to be both educational and rewarding. Bringing out the best in every individual continues to be her personal goal.
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Mary Chenery |
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Service Facilitator
Serving: Warren, Frederick, Shenandoah and Surrounding Areas
Phone: (800) 417-0908 ext 9
E-mail: Mary@MomsInMotion.Net
Mary is a mother of two boys and a recent licensed registered nurse. She has a varied educational background that ranges from Political Science to Fisheries Science. Mary has an older sister who has Down Syndrome. She is enthusiastic to help families, such as her own, learn the best services available to them that will allow everyone in the family to thrive. She is very excited to be supporting the disability community.
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Ivy Kennedy |
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Social Media Moderator
E-mail: ivy@MomsInMotion.Net
Ivy is a disability rights advocate and serves as the moderator of the Moms In Motion facebook page. Ivy has participated many self advocacy trainings including Partners In Policymaking and advocacy groups at Independent Living Centers. Ivy has many years experience with managing personal care attendants and is a wealth of knowledge on the subject. Check out her personal website, www.ivykennedy.com |
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