October 31, 2013
LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the appointments of Nolana Nobles-Bandy, of Detroit; Anne Dallaire, of Grosse Pointe Woods; Kristina Donaldson, of Grand Rapids; and the reappointment of Laura McKechnie, of Sault Ste. Marie, to the Michigan Interagency Coordinating Council for Infants and Toddlers with Developmental Disabilities.
The 21-member council advises the Michigan Department of Education in the preparation of applications for financial and other assistance for infants and toddlers with developmental disabilities. The council also advises and assists the department regarding the appropriate services for children from birth through the age of five.
“I am thankful for this group of appointees and I am confident they will be valuable assets to the council,” Snyder said.
Nobles-Bandy is a disability/mental health specialist with Vista Nuevas Head Start Program, and has more than 13 years of experience. She previously worked for The Order of the Fisherman, Fashion Cents, The Odessa American Newspaper and Odessa College. Nobles-Bandy has an associate’s degree in education from Odessa College, a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Detroit-Mercy and a master’s of education from the American Intercontinental University. She will represent the head start program and replaces Deborah Bedard.
Dallaire is currently the Early On® coordinator for the Macomb Intermediate School District, where she has been for 16 years. She previously worked for Lake Shore Schools/St. Clair Shores Adult & Community Education and for the Macomb Community College Early Childhood Department. Dellaire has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in education, both from Michigan State University. She will represent public or private providers of early intervention services and replaces Johanna Ostwald.
Donaldson is a parent liaison for MI Project LAUNCH (Linking Action for Unmet Needs in Children’s Health). She is an active parent representative on her Local Interagency Counseling Committee and a parent representative for Parent Advisors for Special Education. Donaldson studied business management at Grand Rapids Community College. She will represent parents of infants or toddlers with disabilities or children with disabilities less than 13 years old at the time of appointment and replaces Julie Lagos.
McKechnie is Education/Disabilities Supervisor for the Sault Tribe Early Childhood Programs, where she has worked since 2000. McKechnie earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Lake Superior State University. She will continue to represent tribal government.
Members serve four-year terms expiring Oct. 31, 2017, and their appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the state Senate.
#####