Deborah A. Gilmerpage 1
DEBORAH A. GILMER
21 Chapel Road, Orono, Maine 04473
Voice: (207) 866-4007 Cell: (207) 852-0992 Fax: (207) 866-7977
EDUCATION
M.Ed., 1984Special Education, Severe Disabilities, University of Maine
B.A., 1980Sociology/Social Work, University of Maine
EMPLOYMENT
2004-presentMaine Support Network, Inc.
Associate Director
Center for Self Determination, Health & Policy
Director
Western Maine Partnership, University of Maine at Farmington
Assistant Director
Multiple responsibilities including development of new initiatives, project administration of state and federally funded grants and projects and conduct of systems development and capacity building activities in the areas of school reform, transition, integrated services for children and youth with special health care needs, long term care, employment and community supports, teaching, research and professional development. Co-Director, Maine State GEAR UP, Co-Director, Maine’s Integrated Services for Children With Special Health Needs, Director of Maine’s Champions for Progress Center initiative on medical home, and, Co-Director, Healthy & Ready to Work National Resource Center and interagency and education lead. Facilitator and staff to the Governor’s Task Force to Engage Maine’s Youth.
1992-2004The University of Maine, Orono, Maine
Center for Community Inclusion & Disability Studies, University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research & Service (UCEDD)
Coordinator of Community Services (2002-2004)
Acting Director (1999 and 2000-01)
Assistant Director for Community Services (1995-1999)
Coordinator, Outreach Education & Technical Assistance (1992-95)
Multiple responsibilities in the areas of administration, teaching, research and service related to enhancing the independence, productivity and inclusion of individuals with disabilities including grant writing and project administration, research, teaching and the provision of technical assistance to federal, state and private agencies, families, schools and communities. Areas of focus include student/person centered planning, inclusive practice in schools, workplaces and communities, positive behavior supports, adolescent transition, special health care needs and long-term care health policy. Project Director of numerous externally funded projects including Perspectives on Quality; the Maine Employment Curriculum Implementation Project funded by the Maine Department of Behavioral and Developmental Services to train job coaches and employment specialists; a U.S. Department of Education school wide model demonstration project, Leading ME to Promising Futures; a U. S. Department of Labor funded Multi-State Employment for Persons with Severe Disabilities project in collaboration with the Boston Children’s Hospital UCEDD; the MCHB funded Maine Works for Youth!, Maine’s Healthy and Ready to Work initiative; also, Co-PI of the U.S. Department of Education directed research project, Standards for All Model: Personalizing Elementary Education; and Co-Director of LEARNS: Maine’s Statewide Systems Change Initiative for Inclusive Education funded by the Maine Department of Education. Service on related statewide policy and coordination advisory boards including the Integrating Adult Services Subcommittee of the DHS-BDS Unification Council, member of the Statewide Advisory Committee to CHOICES, Maine’s Medicaid Infrastructure Grant, the Maine Department of Education’s Comprehensive System of Personnel Development Advisory Council. Invited participant, Expert Roundtable on the Status of Youth Employment and Wellness hosted by the Social Security Administration, MCHB and NIDRR and keynote presenter to the Federal Interagency Work Group on Youth with Disabilities and Employment. Wrote curricula in areas including positive supports, employment supports, person-centered planning, and inclusive education. Designed and instructed courses addressing the needs of paraprofessionals and professionals in areas including community building, systems change, employment, adolescent transition and school to work, and introduction to developmental disabilities for the Maine Criminal Justice Academy.
2000-2004Graduate Instructor
Center for Community Inclusion & Disability Studies, University of Maine
Developed and instructed asychronous web based course, DIS 600 Interdisciplinary Seminar in Disability Studies: Leadership Seminar in Disability and Long Term Care; also, instruct DIS 490 Special Topics in Disability Studies: Transition and Special Health Care Needs (asychronously and classroom based).
1990-1992Project Coordinator
LEARNS, Maine's Statewide Project for Inclusive Schools
College of Education and Human Development, University of Maine
Designed and delivered staff development and technical assistance related to inclusive education strategies in schools throughout Maine; coordinated statewide conferences; collaborated with the Maine Department of Education and parent and advocacy organizations; conducted research and developed and disseminated materials and resources related to inclusive education.
1988-1992Graduate Instructor
College of Education and Human Development, University of Maine
Taught courses in severe disabilities, mainstreaming and adolescent transition.
1989-1990Coordinator/Teacher
Orono High School, Orono, Maine
Designed and implemented Orono Transition into Employment, an inclusive high school
program serving students with disabilities previously served in out of district placements.
1987-1988Project Director
Bangor Area Coordination Council
Developed and administered state-funded pilot demonstration and coordination for ten school districts. Provision of technical assistance and support to parents and teachers, legislative and systems change advocacy, grant writing and fiscal management of project.
1983-1987 and 1988-1989Community Resource Teacher
Brewer School Department
Designed and implemented community-based curriculum for adolescents with moderate to severe disabilities aged 15-20. Provided functional and vocational instruction in over 20 community sites. Coordinated educational programming with classroom teachers, therapists and parents. Awarded a one-year leave of absence to direct transition project.
1984-1986Director
(Assistant Director 1982-1983)
Camp CaPella, United Cerebral Palsy of Northeastern Maine, Inc.
Administered summer therapeutic recreation program for children and young adults with disabilities. Supervised the extended school year program for the Brewer School Department and developed an integrated, community-based teen program.
RELATED SERVICE
Member (2008-present), Board of Directors, Disability Rights Center of Maine
Member (2008), Planning Committee, Federal Interagency Transition National Technical Assistance Centers Meeting
Facilitator and Staff (2006-2007), Governor’s Task Force to Engage Maine’s Youth
Member (2006-present), Partners in Chronic Care Steering Committee, Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Children with Special Health Needs Program
National Center Representative (2007) Perspectives on Autism Service Guidelines for the Medical Home: Family Forum, Maternal and Child Health Bureau and the American Academy of Pediatrics
Member (2006-2007) Autism Service Guidelines Expert Work Group, Maternal and Child Health Bureau
Treasurer (2005-2007), Disability Rights Center of Maine Board of Directors
Invitee (2004-present), Best Go West Rendezvous on Customized Employment. A by-invitation-only conclave of thoughtful leaders designed to craft strategies that increase Customized Employment outcomes and social capitalfor individuals with disabilities, their families, and the rehabilitation personnel who serve them.
Founding Member (2004-2006), Maine Consortium for Professional and Parent Development
Secretary (2004-2005), Disability Rights Center of Maine Board of Directors
Member (2004), Commissioner’s Implementation Advisory Team Integrated Services Work Group
Member (2004), Governor’s Work Group on Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities
Member (2003), Integrating Adult Services Subcommittee of the Governor’s DHS-BDS Unification Council
Strand Coordinator (2001-2005). The Imperative for Sustaining Community: Revisiting the Very Real Risks of an Institutional Comeback. Annual International TASH conference.
Member (2003-2004), Disability Advisory Committee, Maine Commission on Community Service
Peer Reviewer (2003-2006), U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services
Vice Chair (2002-2004), National Community Education Director’s Council, Association of University Centers on Disabilities
Member (2002-present), Wisdom Council, Healthy and Ready to Work National Center
Member (2001-present), Quality Technical Advisory Group to Maine’s CMS funded Real Choices Systems Change Project, Bureau of Elder and Adult Services and Muskie School
Member (2000-2004), Statewide Advisory Committee to CHOICES Project, Maine’s Medicaid Infrastructure Grant, Bureau of Elder and Adult Services and Muskie School
Team Leader (2000-2004), Maine’s Partners in Justice Project
Surrogate Parent (2000-2002), Maine Department of Education
Member (2000-2002), Statewide Policy Council, Maine’s Family Support Project
Member (2001-2002), Interdepartmental Committee on Transition
Member (2000-2001), Ticket to Work and Work Incentive Improvement Act State Implementation Team, Maine Department of Labor
Member (2000-2001), Maine Donated Dental Services Advisory Committee, Department of Human Services, Bureau of Health
Member, (2000-2001), TBI Steering Committee, Department of Human Services, Bureau of Health
Member (2000-2001), Behavioral Standards Task Force, Maine’s Coordinated School Health Program
Member (2000-2001), Education Task Force, Bangor Region Partnership for Healthy Communities
Member (1998-2007), Board of Directors, Disability Rights Center of Maine
Consultant Surveyor (2000), Futures HealthCore, Conducted QMRP reviews of adults served by the District of Columbia’s Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities Authority
Member (1998-2002), Maine ADA Coalition, and training subcommittee
Member (1997-2004), Community Resource Network, Speaking Up For Us Maine
Member (1997-1998), Maine State Planning Team, School to Work and Youth with Disabilities, Maine Department of Education
Member (1996-1999), Maine Disabilities Coalition
Member (1996-1999), Managed Care and Medicaid Sub Committee, Maine Disabilities Coalition
Member at Large (1996-2002) Steering Committee, National Community Education Directors Council, American Association of University Affiliated Programs
Member (1995-1998),Statewide Systems Change Team, Maine Department of Education, Division of Special Services
Member (1994-2007), TASH/New England Board of Governors
Member (1995-1999), Comprehensive System of Personnel Development Steering Committee, Maine Department of Education, Division of Special Services
Member (1993-2004), Comprehensive System of Personnel Development Advisory Committee, Maine Department of Education, Division of Special Services
UCEDD Representative (1999 and 2001), Maine Developmental Disabilities Council
President (1996-1999), TASH/New England Board of Governors
Member (1998), Writing Team, Maine Department of Education, State Improvement Plan/State Improvement Grant Application to the U.S. Department of Education
Member (1995-1996), Maine Advocacy Services’ Access Coalition
Member (1995), Steering Committee, Home of Your Own Conference, Maine Developmental Disabilities Council
Facilitator (1994-1995), Person Centered Planning Work Group and Steering Committee, Maine Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, Division of Mental Retardation
Member (1993), Transition Training Planning Committee, Maine’s Interdepartmental Committee on Transition
Steering Committee Member (1991-1993), "Creating Community in Maine...Let's Make it Happen." Development and organization of grass roots effort to foster discussion and action to create opportunities for community for Maine citizens with mental retardation, autism and challenging behavior.
Consultant (1991-1993), Provider of educational evaluations and technical assistance to teams serving students and adults with autism and challenging behavior focusing on developing positive supports.
Member (1991-1992), Behavior/Restraint Use Work Group, Maine Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, Bureau of Mental Retardation task force charged with creating positive support options for individuals whose behavior challenges providers and eliminating the use of intrusive behavioral techniques.
Member (1990-1992) Comprehensive Plan Committee, Maine Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation, Bureau of Mental Retardation. Legislatively mandated task force charged with the development of a biennial plan for presentation to the Joint Standing Committees on Human Resources and Appropriations. Member of Children and Families Subcommittee.
Member (1990-1991), Southern Penobscot Vocational School Special Education Advisory Committee, a vocational education agency effort aimed at designing strategies to ensure appropriate and integrated vocational education for students previously unserved.
Member (1989-1994), Bangor Area Coordination Council, a local interagency transition coordination effort addressing the needs of young adults in transition from school to community living, employment and postsecondary education.
Member (1988-1992) Consumer Advisory Board. Commissioner-appointed to oversight and monitoring panel mandated by the Federal Court to oversee the State's compliance with the Pineland Consent Decree ensuring the rights of Maine's citizens with mental retardation and autism to live with dignity in the community. Responsibilities included ongoing monitoring of intrusive behavioral programming, coordination with the Office of Advocacy to monitor alleged rights violations, and advocacy for systems change.
Member (1988-1991), Human Rights and Assurances Committee, Monitoring of behavior programs and rights of residents of Elizabeth Levinson Center, a state operated ICF/MR pediatric nursing home.
Program Consultant (1990), Community Health and Counseling Services. Responsible for program design, ongoing staff training and quality assurance for a specialized foster home program.
Consultant (1990), School Union # 34. Provided training in job development and job coaching strategies to high school special educator and designed a vocational education program for an adolescent with autism.
Community Integration Consultant (1989), Community Health and Counseling Services. Served as a consultant to a team serving an adolescent with autism regarding community integration strategies.
Member (1988-1989) Student-Centered Transition Task Force, a Maine Department of Education effort to develop policies and procedures manual for local education agencies to assist and guide the development of local transition efforts.
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS AND AWARDS
1997 Young Professional Award, American Association of University Affiliated Programs
Finalist, 2000 University of Maine Professional Employee Achievement Award
Nominee, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Community Health Leadership Award
Member, American Association on Mental Retardation
Member, Council for Exceptional Children
Member, Autism National Committee
Member, Society for Adolescent Medicine
Member, APSE
Member, TASH
Past President, TASH/New England Board of Governors
PRESENTATIONS
Celebrating learning: Keeping today’s learners connected through technology. Refereed presentation to the Maine Educational Opportunity Association Annual Meeting and Conference, Portland, ME, October, 2008.
Fostering lifelong volunteering—Start ‘em young. Invited presentation to the National Conference on Disability Inclusion and Service, Alexandria, VA, October, 2008.
National Service: An appealing option for youth in transition. Invited presentation to the National Conference on Disability Inclusion and Service, Alexandria, VA, October, 2008.
Post-school services and resources. Invited presentation on a National Secondary Transition Technical Assistance Center webinar/teleconference on IDEA Indicators 13 and 14, September, 2008.
Supporting health and transition outcomes. Invited presentation to the National Transition Technical Assistance Centers meeting, Washington, DC, July 2008.
Partnering for successful and healthy transitions: Racing to work! Refereed presentation to the APSE Annual Meeting and Conference, Louisville, KY, July 2008.
Learning from and with youth to facilitate leadership and advocacy. Refereed presentation to the Annual Pacific Rim Conference on Disabilities, Honolulu, HI, April, 2008.
Pathways to Inclusive Postsecondary Education for Youth with Intellectual Disabilities. Refereed presentation to the Annual Pacific Rim Conference on Disabilities, Honolulu, HI, April, 2008.
Transition and Youth with Special Health Care Needs. Invited presentation to graduate transition course offered by UMass/Boston and Institute on Community Inclusion, Boston, MA, April, 2008.
Youth Advisory Councils: Engaging youth through celebratory learning. Refereed workshop to the AMCHP Annual Meeting, Alexandria, VA, March, 2008.
Differentiated Learning Through Celebratory Learning – For All Your Students! Refereed pre-conference workshop to the Cooperative Learning in Multicultural Societies: Critical Reflections, Torino, Italy, January 2008.
Transition: Models to Involve Youth. Refereed presentation to New Freedom Initiative State Implementation Grants for Integrated Community Systems for CYSHCN: Sustaining Progress in Your State and Community. Maternal and Child Health Bureau Annual Grantee Meeting, Silver Spring, MD, September, 2007.
Healthy & Working: Transition Planning Resources for Health and Work! Refereed presentation to the Annual APSE: The Network on Employment, Kansas City, MO, July, 2007.
YouthSpeak. Panel moderator, Special Kids, Special Needs: Topics in Children with Special Health Care Needs & Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics. Annual Spring Conference of the Maine Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Rockport, Maine, May, 2007.
Transition Resources in Maine. Invited Roundtable panel member, Special Kids, Special Needs: Topics in Children with Special Health Care Needs & Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics. Annual Spring Conference of the Maine Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Rockport, Maine, May, 2007.
Promoting Youth Development and Self Determination Skills for All Students. Refereed presentation to the Annual Pacific Rim Conference on Disabilities, Honolulu, HI, March, 2007.
Collaboration and Community Sustainability in Rural States. Invited skill building workshop to the Annual Conference of the Association of Maternal and Child Health Programs, Healthy Communities, Arlington, VA, March, 2007.
Celebratory Learning Turns the GEARS of Technology to Drive Maine’s Students to College. Invited presentation to the New England Regional GEAR UP Conference, Leominster, MA, October, 2006.
Healthy & Ready to Work National Resource Center. Invited presentation to the NASDSE Board Meeting, Bar Harbor, ME, June, 2006.
Healthy & Ready to Work. Invited webcast presentation to MCHB Title V/CSHN staff (mchcom.com), Rockville, MD, June, 2005.
Where is the line? Is it abuse or is it discipline? Mandated reporting and the disability community. Invited panel presenter, 11th Annual Child Welfare Conference: Children with Special Needs and the Child Welfare System, Bangor, Maine, April, 2005
Leadership and Innovation to Enhance Quality Care and Transition: YOUTHSPEAK in Maine! Refereed presentation to the Annual Pac Rim conference, Honolulu, February, 2005.
Supporting Inclusive Practice in National Service Programs. Refereed presentation to the annual International TASH conference, Reno, NV, November, 2004
Raising Aspirations and Building Supports for Employment for All. Refereed presentation to the annual International TASH conference, Reno, NV, November, 2004.
Mentoring for Employment Success. Invited workshop for the Annual Professional Development Day, PAL, Cranston, RI, February, 2004
Youth Engagement in Maine: Raising Voices…Influencing Change. Refereed presentation to the annual meeting of the Association of University Centers on Disabilities, Bethesda, MD, November, 2004.
YEA ME: Maine’s Children with Special Health Needs Youth Advisory Committee as Agents for Change in Maine. Poster session, International TASH conference, Chicago, December, 2003.