Elaine Arsenault, Technical Assistance and Outreach Specialist, provides technical assistance, information and resources to school districts, community organizations and families in Western Massachusetts. Elaine has worked for many years as a parent leader, educator, advocate and peer mediation trainer in both public school and community based settings. Elaine and her family have lived in western Massachusetts for over 10 years and have been actively engaged in many community programs and events. 413-367-3042 earsenault@fcsn.org
Bria D’Amico, PIRC Services Coordinator, is responsible for coordinating PIRC staff for workshops, presentations and resource fairs as well as providing resources to families, communities, organizations and schools. She also maintains the database and supports the development of PIRC publications and materials through research and editorial support. Bria spent the past year in Charleston, South Carolina as an AmeriCorps VISTA member, helping to enhance community and school-based mentoring initiatives. 617-399-8342 bdamico@fcsn.org
Roxanne Hoke-Chandler, Statewide Education & Outreach Specialist, conducts workshops for families and educators on parents’ rights and options and on promoting parental involvement in their children’s education. Roxanne provides a wide range of educational and resource information as requested. Roxanne has a strong interest in hard to reach and underserved populations which led her to take the Parent Advocacy Course at the Federation in 2001. She is also the proud mother of two children who are educated through the public schools. 617-399-8343 chandler@fcsn.org
Margaret O'Hare, PIRC Director, ensures that all project goals, objectives, and activities are completed in a timely fashion. She is also responsible for supporting associated early childhood parent education programs with technical assistance and resources. As a pediatric physical therapist and special educator, Peggie has over 30 years of experience in providing direct services to young children and their families, administering state and national grants, and educating adults as adjunct college instructor and frequent workshop presenter. 617-399-8344 mcohare@fcsn.org
Becky Rizoli, Administrative Assistant, organizes materials for workshops, orders supplies, helps maintain the data base, and collects and enters data from evaluations. With a background in Psychology, Becky spent a year teaching music and computer skills to children with visual impairments in New Jersey. She has been a member of the Massachusetts PIRC team since 2003, and also holds positions within various other projects at the Federation for Children with Special Needs. 617-399-8312 brizoli@fcsn.org
Lee R. Soto, Statewide Coordinator of Technical Assistance to Schools, provides information, resources, training and other supports to school districts, community organizations and parents across the state on the importance of family engagement in education. With over twenty years experience working in public school systems as an educator, consultant and family advocate, Lee brings expertise in after-school programming, community organizing and outreach. Originally from Puerto Rico and New York, Lee has been providing supports to families and communities in the greater Boston area for over 10 years both as a parent and as a professional, specializing in effective strategies for reaching families and providing bilingual and bicultural support when English is a second language. 617-399-8332 lsoto@fcsn.org
Rhea Tavares, Statewide Education & Outreach Specialist, conducts workshops for families and educators on parents’ rights and options and on promoting parental involvement in their children’s education. Rhea provides a wide range of educational and resource information as requested. A bilingual Brazilian, Rhea took the Parent Advocacy Course at the Federation in 1998, and now advocates for families, especially for those who speak Portuguese. 617-399-8329 rtavares@fcsn.org
Janet Vohs, Director of Publications and Curriculum, oversees
workshop development and is responsible for writing and editing publications. As a Federation for Children with
Special Needs' staff member for 30 years, Janet has participated in education reform efforts related to parental involvement in Massachusetts and nationally. Through this involvement, she has gained valuable experience that shapes and informs the Massachusetts PIRC's efforts. 617-399-8333 jvohs@fcsn.org
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