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Council Staff

Bill Lynch joined the Council’s staff in 1994 and has served as Executive Director since 2003. He is responsible for the overall management of the Council, including personnel, membership, programs and budget. Bill staffs our Executive Committee. He is also an active member of the Department of Human Services’ Diversity Development Coordinating Council, serves as chair of the Fairview Community Housing Trust Fund and facilitates the Staley Implementation Group (SIG).

Terry Butler is the Program Coordinator for our Council’s Inclusive Child Care Program. He is responsible for the overall management of the program, including policy, outreach and screening. Terry also supervises project staff.

Judy Cunio is the Self-Advocacy Coordinator. She staffs our Self-Advocacy Committee. Judy also serves as our liaison to Self-Advocates As Leaders and is a self-advocacy representative on various coalitions and committees.

Lorine Day-Reynolds is the Inclusive Child Care Program’s High Needs Subsidy Coordinator. Lorine works directly with parents, child care providers and community partners to assess children’s needs in child care and to develop plans to meet those needs. Lorine monitors and reviews ongoing child care subsidies provided through the program. She also coordinates the program’s services with others serving the child and family to ensure stable child care placements.

Melinda Benson is the High Need Child Care Specialist with the Council’s Inclusive Child Care Program. She comes to the program with extensive experience in Early Intervention, Head Start and other progams for young children. Melinda completes individual assessments and planning for children eligible for child care subsidies. In addition, Melinda provides training, consultation and support to child care providers regarding the inclusion of all children in typical child care settings.

Becky Majors-Thrash is the Budget/Operations Analyst. She staffs our Consumer Involvement Fund Subcommittee. Becky is also our main liaison with the DHS Office of Financial Services and our contractors.

Kate Reitan is the Inclusive Child Care Program Assistant. She processes invoices and tracks subsidies provided through the project. Kate also handles information and referral requests for the project.

Cynthia Owens  is the Family Issues and Employment Specialist.  She is the lead staff on Medicaid and employment issues and works with various
committees on trainings for federal legislative matters, transition issues, and rule committees for waiver services. She represents the Council on the State Rehabilitation Advisory Board and the Transition Committee of the State Advisory Council on Special Education.

Carol Simonds is the Office Specialist. She manages our database for The Oregon Network and for Council publications. Carol also assists with transportation and meeting arrangements for Council members, staff and collaborators.

Laurie Bronson is the Office Manager. She is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the office and is our primary liaison with Human Resources at the Department of Human Services. She also provides technical support to staff.

Kathryn Weit is the Policy Analyst. She staffs our Policy Committee and Family Issues Committee. Kathryn provides staff support to the DD Coalition and is our primary liaison to the legislature, state agencies and human services coalitions.

 

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