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Michael Deckers

Certificate in Human Services, Lesley College Threshold Program, 1994

Before coming to the Pappanikou Center, Mr. Deckers worked in the Human Services field.

mdeckers@uchc.edu || 860.679.1500

Gabriela Freyre-Calish, M.S.W.

M.S.W. Administration in Social Work, Fordham University, 1990
B.A. Psychology, College of New Rochelle, 1983

Ms. Gabriela Freyre-Calish has extensive experience with the Latino population and young children with disabilities. Ms. Freyre-Calish has a graduate degree in social work. She has provided case management services for adults with disabilities, and to families with children
with disabilities. Ms. Freyre-Calish provided training on culturally responsive practices through UConn for the past 16 years. She is currently responsible for coordinating dissemination activities at the Center. She is also responsible for assuring cultural competence in all Center activities, providing staff support to the Consumer Advisory Council chairs, and coordinating the CT Family Support 360: A Planning Grant. She is a Field Instructor for MSW candidates for the Field Education Department at the UConn School of Social Work. She is bilingual and bicultural, and is the guardian of her sister who has severe disabilities and lives in Peru. She is also the mother of a preschooler who is visually impaired.

Affiliated Projects:

Enhanced Child Find Through Newborn Hearing Screening
CT Family Support 360: A Planning Grant

freyre@nso2.uchc.edu || 860.679.1563

Jayne Kleinman, M.S., CRC

Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (Certification maintained continuously since October, 1977)
M.S., Rehabilitation Counseling, Buffalo University
B.A., Psychology, Buffalo University

Since February of 2005 Jayne Kleinman has served as the Transportation Facilitator for a Developmental Disabilities Council Grant for the University of Connecticut A.J. Pappanikou Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities, Education, Research, and Service. The primary focus of the grant is to coordinate stakeholders looking at the transportation needs of individuals with disabilities and people who are elderly with legislators and others looking at the issues such as the Department of Transportation (United WeRide) and Easter Seal (Project Action).

Ms. Kleinman has over 25 years of experience as a rehabilitation specialist and resource provider and has been an articulate advocate for individuals with disabilities through organizations such as the current Disability Advocacy Collaborative—also a project supported by the DD Council and UConn-- (including co-publication of a monthly Bulletin), the American Association of Spinal Cord Injury Psychologists and Social Workers, the CT Chapter of the National Spinal Cord Injury Association, the Connecticut Women with Disabilities Network and the Connecticut Coalition of Citizens with Disabilities.

Affiliated Projects:

P.A.T.H.S. Transportation Initiative

jkleinman@exchang.uchc.edu || 860.679.1575

Stan Kosloski

B.A., Trinity College
M.S., Rehabilitation Counseling, University of Connecticut

Since March of 2004 Stan Kosloski has served as Community Facilitator for the University of Connecticut Center on Disabilities, a division of the UConn Health Center. He is responsible for supporting three communities ( Bridgeport, New Haven, and Groton) as they seek to become models of inclusion. Prior to his work at the Center, he was Assistant Director of the state Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities, where he served for twenty five years. From 1992-94 he served as State ADA Coordinator in the administration of Governor Lowell Weicker.

Affiliated Projects:

Real Choices Systems Change

skosloski@uchc.edu || 860.679.1513

Elba Ortega

Certificate in Computerized Accounting, Goodwin College
Certificate in Clinical Management, Trinity College of Vermont

Ms. Ortega has more than 25 years of experience in fiscal administration and management. She previously worked for the Low Income Planning Agency, Pratt & Whitney, Asylum Hill Center, Neighborhood Reinvestment, Apartment Improvement Program, Mental Health Association of Connecticut, Hartford Behavioral Health, UConn Health Center Department of Pediatrics, and Connecticut Children's Medical Center.

ortega@nso.uchc.edu || 860.679.1546

Linda Procko

Executive Medical Secretary, Briarwood School for Women, 1975

Mrs. Procko has over 25 years of clerical experience. For the past 10 years, she has been involved in the submission of grant applications. She currently coordinates and manages all new and continuing grant applications for the Pappanikou Center. Prior to her employment at the center, Mrs. Prockoworked for UConn Health Center in the Grants and Contracts Office, the Department of Nuclear Medicine, and the Department of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology. Mrs. Procko also worked for private physicians, an elementary school, and several small businesses.

procko@nso1.uchc.edu || 860.679.1549

Elyssa Trani

B.S. Human Development and Family Studies, Summa Cum Laude, University of Rhode Island, 2002
B.A. Sociology, Summa Cum Laude, University of Rhode Island, 2002

Ms. Trani participated in an internship for an early intervention program through the Department of Health in Rhode Island. She also volunteered at the University of Rhode Island Child Development Center and worked as a Clinician for an educational assistance program for children of all ages.

etrani@uchc.edu || 860.679.1568

Jessica Veneziano

School Age Project Coordinator

B.S. Special Education, Saint Joseph College, 2002
Special Education teaching certification
Elementary Education teaching certification

Jessica is the School Age Project Coordinator for the University of Connecticut A.J. Pappanikou Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities. She works with school districts across Connecticut to increase access to the general education curriculum for students with disabilities from preschool through high school. Prior to working for UCONN, Jessica was a Transition Coordinator for a local school district where she helped prepare students to make the transition from school to work or post-secondary education. She worked closely with state and local agencies to assist students in receiving support after graduation. Jessica is pursuing a M.S. in Educational Leadership from Central Connecticut State University, with an expected graduation date May 2008.

Affiliated Projects:

Connecticut Coaches Academy
Families as Partners
Student Technical Assistance Response (STAR) Teams

veneziano@uchc.edu || 860-679-159