October 21, 2014
Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2014
LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the appointment of Clare Brick, of Dearborn, and the reappointments of Chandra Jones, of Waterford, Nicole Sodergren, of Macomb, and Richard VanTol, of Essexville, 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 age 5.
“I am thankful for this group of appointees and I am confident they will be valuable assets to the council,” Snyder said.
Brick is a parent mentor with the Michigan Alliance for Families. She earned a bachelor’s degree in retail merchandising from Western Michigan University. Brick represents parents of infants or toddlers with disabilities or children with disabilities less than 13 years old at the time of appointment with knowledge of, or experience with, programs for infants and toddlers with disabilities. She replaces Laura Lynn Jensen-Hunt.
Jones is a parent of four children who have participated in Early On Michigan and is familiar with the need for parent/professional partnership and collaboration. She earned a bachelor’s degree in family life education from Spring Arbor University and a master’s degree in education from American InterContinental University. She continues to represent parents of infants or toddlers with disabilities or children with disabilities less than 13 years old at the time of appointment with knowledge of, or experience with, programs for infants and toddlers with disabilities.
Sodergren is service coordinator for Early On Macomb. She also has experience with Rex Printing in Sterling Heights, and Cross Huller in Troy. Sodergren earned an associate degree in general studies from Macomb Community College. She continues to represent parents of an infant or toddler with a disability or a child with a disability less than 7 years old at the time of appointment. She is also council chair.
VanTol is director of early childhood services and auxiliary programs for Genesee Intermediate School District. He also spent eight years as executive director for the Department of Early Childhood for the Saginaw Intermediate School District. VanTol earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and social science from Michigan State University, a master’s degree in administration from Central Michigan University and a master’s of education from Saginaw Valley State University. He continues to represent public or private providers of early intervention services.
Appointees will serve four-year terms expiring Oct. 31, 2018. Their appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
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