October 14, 2015
Wednesday, October 14, 2015
LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder today announced two appointments and four reappointments 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 five.
“I am thankful for this group of appointees and their interest in helping to make a better quality of life for Michigan children with developmental disabilities,” Snyder said.
Appointments:
Michigan state Sen. Phil Pavlov will represent the Michigan Legislature. Senator Pavlov represents Michigan’s 25th State Senate District.
Deana Strudwick, of White Pigeon, is the director of early childhood services for the St. Joseph County Intermediate School District. She also has experience with Community Mental Health of St. Joseph County. Strudwick earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Bowling Green State University, a master’s degree in social work from Western Michigan University, and a master’s of education from Grand Valley State University. She represents public or private providers of early intervention services and replaces Sondra Stegenga, who resigned.
Reappointments:
Barbara Corbin, of Jenison, is a licensed social worker and the Early On Coordinator for the Kent Intermediate School District. She also develops and facilitates the local Service Area Plan of early intervention in the county. Corbin earned a bachelor's degree in sociology from Aquinas College and a master's degree in clinical social work from Western Michigan University. She continues to represent public or private providers of early intervention services.
Judy Goth-Owens, of East Lansing, is a professor and interim program director with Lansing Community College. She previously worked with the Ingham Intermediate School District as a parent educator and provided education and support to families of children from birth to five years old. Goth-Owens served nearly 10 years as a training coordinator for the Office for Young Children in the Ingham County Health Department. She earned a bachelor's degree in special education from the University of Michigan and a master's degree in human development and leadership in education from Pacific Oaks College in California. She continues to represent individuals involved in personnel preparation.
Lauren Heilman, of Cadillac, is the business administrator and human resource coordinator for Kettunen Center in Tustin. She is also the Great Start Interim Parent Liaison for the Wexford-Missaukee Great State Collaborative and substitute teacher for the Wexford-Missaukee Intermediate School District. Heilman earned a bachelor's degree from Baker College and a master's degree in education from Ferris State University. She continues to represent parents of infants or toddlers with disabilities or children with disabilities less than 13 years old.
Prachi Shah, of Ann Arbor, is an associate professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Michigan and a staff pediatrician with the University of Michigan Hospital System. She previously taught at the Baylor College of Medicine, Tulane University School of Medicine and Boston University School of Medicine. Shah earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry from Johns Hopkins University and a medical degree from the Baylor College of Medicine. She continues to represent the general public.
Pavlov and Strudwick serve the remainder of four-year terms expiring Oct. 31, 2016. The other appointees will serve four-year terms expiring Oct. 31, 2019. Appointments are not subject to the advice and consent of the Senate.
#####
