| Collaborative Advocacy™ Associates Effective Advocacy for Children with Special Learning Needs™ |
| © Collaborative Advocacy™ Associates 2001-2011. All Rights Reserved. |
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Founder and President
Noreen J. O’Mahoney, C.S.W., S.D.A.
Collaborative Advocacy Associates (CAA) was founded by Noreen J.
O’Mahoney as a professional firm dedicated to providing families with
comprehensive educational advocacy services in support of children with
special learning needs.
Ms. O’Mahoney's commitment to collaborative advocacy has been
developed professionally, as well as through her role as a parent of
children with special learning needs.
Ms. O’Mahoney received her advanced degree in School District
Administration from the State University of New York, and her Masters in
Social Work from Syracuse University. She is a licensed School District
Administrator and School Social Worker with more than 30 years
experience in Connecticut and New York.
She has served as: a member of numerous child study teams; chair
of parent advisory committees; chair of Committees on Special
Education; program development specialist of individualized case
coordination councils; clinical coordinator of an alternative high school.
She has also trained school personnel on a statewide level to identify
and service children’s unique academic and emotional needs. As a
special education advocate, she has completed numerous special
education and advocacy training programs, including the State of
Connecticut’s respected Partners in Policymaking Program.
Ms. O’Mahoney is a past member of the executive board of
SPED*NET, the Special Education Network of Wilton, Ltd,. a non-profit
corporation organized exclusively for educational purposes, more
specifically, to educate the public about special needs, special education
and disability-related issues. She is on the Professional Advisory Board
of The Pilot House Special Needs Resource Foundation in Fairfield, CT
and is a member of the Connecticut Association for Children and Adults
with Learning Disabilities (CACLD) a non-profit organization committed
to helping children and adults with Learning Disabilities and Attention
Deficit Disorders.
She is the co-author of the well-received, web book: Bringing
Knowledge to the Table: How To Be An Effective Advocate for Your Child,
as well as other professional articles on special education advocacy.
Ms. O'Mahoney has been an invited presenter at statewide
conferences and numerous parent training seminars. In addition, she
makes herself available to speak to organizations seeking to educate
and empower parents with the information they need to become effective
advocates on behalf of their children.
Noreen J. O’Mahoney, C.S.W., S.D.A.
Collaborative Advocacy Associates (CAA) was founded by Noreen J.
O’Mahoney as a professional firm dedicated to providing families with
comprehensive educational advocacy services in support of children with
special learning needs.
Ms. O’Mahoney's commitment to collaborative advocacy has been
developed professionally, as well as through her role as a parent of
children with special learning needs.
Ms. O’Mahoney received her advanced degree in School District
Administration from the State University of New York, and her Masters in
Social Work from Syracuse University. She is a licensed School District
Administrator and School Social Worker with more than 30 years
experience in Connecticut and New York.
She has served as: a member of numerous child study teams; chair
of parent advisory committees; chair of Committees on Special
Education; program development specialist of individualized case
coordination councils; clinical coordinator of an alternative high school.
She has also trained school personnel on a statewide level to identify
and service children’s unique academic and emotional needs. As a
special education advocate, she has completed numerous special
education and advocacy training programs, including the State of
Connecticut’s respected Partners in Policymaking Program.
Ms. O’Mahoney is a past member of the executive board of
SPED*NET, the Special Education Network of Wilton, Ltd,. a non-profit
corporation organized exclusively for educational purposes, more
specifically, to educate the public about special needs, special education
and disability-related issues. She is on the Professional Advisory Board
of The Pilot House Special Needs Resource Foundation in Fairfield, CT
and is a member of the Connecticut Association for Children and Adults
with Learning Disabilities (CACLD) a non-profit organization committed
to helping children and adults with Learning Disabilities and Attention
Deficit Disorders.
She is the co-author of the well-received, web book: Bringing
Knowledge to the Table: How To Be An Effective Advocate for Your Child,
as well as other professional articles on special education advocacy.
Ms. O'Mahoney has been an invited presenter at statewide
conferences and numerous parent training seminars. In addition, she
makes herself available to speak to organizations seeking to educate
and empower parents with the information they need to become effective
advocates on behalf of their children.
Jill Chuckas, M.S.W.
Special Education Advocate
Ms. Chuckas has more than 15 years experience advocating for children. In her
various positions, Ms.Chuckas has been intricately involved in the special education
process - leading PPT meetings, implementing and writing IEPs and coordinating
services for children and families, facilitating conflict management, and supporting
teachers and families to provide corrective, social emotional learning environments for
children.
Ms. Chuckas received her undergraduate degree from Syracuse University in Child
and Family Studies and Psychology, and her Masters in Social Work from New York
University. She spent ten years as a school social worker, and her earlier years as a
case manager in social services agencies.
Ms. Chuckas is a member of the Council of Parent Advocates and Attorneys (COPAA),
as well as the Connecticut Association of Children and Adults with Learning Disabilities
(CACLD) and also on the volunteer/ professional committees for the Stamford Public
Schools of Middle School Advisory Council and the School Governance Council. She
holds a special interest in the legislative changes that affect special education services
and brings with her recent experience advocating for small business owners at the
federal level, including testifying before the U.S. Senate and collaborating on a legislative
amendment
Special Education Advocate
Ms. Chuckas has more than 15 years experience advocating for children. In her
various positions, Ms.Chuckas has been intricately involved in the special education
process - leading PPT meetings, implementing and writing IEPs and coordinating
services for children and families, facilitating conflict management, and supporting
teachers and families to provide corrective, social emotional learning environments for
children.
Ms. Chuckas received her undergraduate degree from Syracuse University in Child
and Family Studies and Psychology, and her Masters in Social Work from New York
University. She spent ten years as a school social worker, and her earlier years as a
case manager in social services agencies.
Ms. Chuckas is a member of the Council of Parent Advocates and Attorneys (COPAA),
as well as the Connecticut Association of Children and Adults with Learning Disabilities
(CACLD) and also on the volunteer/ professional committees for the Stamford Public
Schools of Middle School Advisory Council and the School Governance Council. She
holds a special interest in the legislative changes that affect special education services
and brings with her recent experience advocating for small business owners at the
federal level, including testifying before the U.S. Senate and collaborating on a legislative
amendment
THE CAA TEAM
Expertise to Meet Any Need
Expertise to Meet Any Need
Micki Averick, J.D.
Special Education Advocate
Ms. Averick is an attorney with a successful career as a litigator and legal recruiter
who now brings her considerable legal skills to bear on behalf of families with children
who have special learning needs. As the parent of children with special needs she spent
numerous years successfully advocating for her own children for necessary educational
programs. Over the last 5 years, the knowledge she gained in that process she applied
on behalf of the children of friends and associates as well, especially on behalf of
children on the autism spectrum, and with learning and emotional disabilities.
Ms. Averick attended The George Washington University and graduated cum laude
with a degree in Finance. She received her Juris Doctor degree from Temple University’
s School of Law and practiced as a commercial litigator in New Jersey.
Special Education Advocate
Ms. Averick is an attorney with a successful career as a litigator and legal recruiter
who now brings her considerable legal skills to bear on behalf of families with children
who have special learning needs. As the parent of children with special needs she spent
numerous years successfully advocating for her own children for necessary educational
programs. Over the last 5 years, the knowledge she gained in that process she applied
on behalf of the children of friends and associates as well, especially on behalf of
children on the autism spectrum, and with learning and emotional disabilities.
Ms. Averick attended The George Washington University and graduated cum laude
with a degree in Finance. She received her Juris Doctor degree from Temple University’
s School of Law and practiced as a commercial litigator in New Jersey.
LINKS TO INFORMATIONAL RESOURCES The US Department of Education www.ed.gov National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities www.nichcy.org CT State Department of Education www.state.ct.us/sde The Special Education Resource Center www.ctserc.org Connecticut Association for Children with Learning Disabilities www.cacld.org Special Education Network - CT www.spednetwilton.org The Pilot House: Special Needs Resource Foundation www.thepilothouse.org |
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Amy Murphy
Special Education Records Specialist
Amy Murphy overseas the important new Records Organization and Management
(ROM) Service for CAA clients.
As the parent of a child with special needs who has successfully navigated the system
for several years, Amy has developed considerable knowledge in the field of special
education advocacy and is pursuing a training path to expand her capabilities.
She currently brings her expertise to bear on behalf of CAA clients in the very important
arena of managing all critical information about a child with special needs. Good records
and access to them can make all the difference in the PPT process, and Amy’s
background as a organizational consultant to corporate, non-profit and individual clients
has proven invaluable to many CAA clients.
Special Education Records Specialist
Amy Murphy overseas the important new Records Organization and Management
(ROM) Service for CAA clients.
As the parent of a child with special needs who has successfully navigated the system
for several years, Amy has developed considerable knowledge in the field of special
education advocacy and is pursuing a training path to expand her capabilities.
She currently brings her expertise to bear on behalf of CAA clients in the very important
arena of managing all critical information about a child with special needs. Good records
and access to them can make all the difference in the PPT process, and Amy’s
background as a organizational consultant to corporate, non-profit and individual clients
has proven invaluable to many CAA clients.