As Project Coordinator, Michelle leads FAVI’s interagency collaborations with a variety of national and state partners to address issues affecting the deafblind community. She promotes the initiatives of the DeafBlind technical assistance and dissemination network and the priorities of families, public school programs, educators, and service providers serving children and youth who are DeafBlind. Michelle provides child/youth-centered technical assistance, consultation, and training to assist infants and toddlers, school-aged individuals, and young adults transitioning to adult life. She partners with individuals and agencies throughout the state of Florida. Michelle also continues FAVI’s valuable partnerships with educators, service providers, agencies, and families in the US Virgin Islands: St Croix, St John, and St Thomas.
As Michelle identifies the needs of individuals and teams, she makes referrals to appropriate agencies and other professionals. Michelle also disseminates information regarding project supports, state resources, and national programs. By participating on various committees, Michelle helps to plan and initiate systemic-change initiatives and other capacity-building activities. She helps individuals and organizations to implement effective/promising practices to improve the inclusion of individuals who are DeafBlind in their schools and communities.
Michelle has a masters degree in deaf education from Gallaudet University. She joined the FAVI DeafBlind Collaborative after teaching Deaf Ed in public schools for 10 years and teaching American Sign Language (ASL) at Central Florida Community College for 3 years. Her background of experience also includes freelance interpreting and interpreting in mass. Michelle enjoys spending time with her family, going to Deaf Club, and sports.