Who We Are
This guide was developed through a collaboration across agencies, organizations, and families in NC. Our hope is to help guide you to find resources and supports that are useful to you and your child.
Project Team
Elizabeth R. Crais, Ph.D., CCC-SLP, ASHA Fellow
North Carolina Navigating Care Principal Investigator
Professor and Autism Researcher
Division of Speech and Hearing Sciences
Department of Allied Health Sciences
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Rebecca Edmondson Pretzel, Ph.D.
North Carolina Navigating Care Principal Investigator
Carolina Institute For Developmental Disabilities Associate Director
LEND Director, UCEDD Associate Director
NC Act Early Ambassador
Julie Williams-Swiggett, M.Ed.
North Carolina Navigating Care Project Coordinator
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Laurel Powell, MS
Program Manager
Family Support Program and Family Support Network of NC-University Office
School of Social Work
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Barbara Leach
Program Support Specialist
Family Support Program and Family Support Network of NC-University Office
School of Social Work
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Kim Tizzard
Director of Family Support
Autism Society of North Carolina
Kori Flower, MD, MS, MPH
UNC Chapel Hill Division Chief of the Division of General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine
Kerri Erb
Chief Program Officer
Autism Society of North Carolina
Felicia Williams Brown
Community Engagement Specialist and Educator
Autism Society of North Carolina
Wanqing Zhang, MD, PhD
Research Methodologist
UNC Chapel Hill Dept of Allied Health Sciences
Doanne Ward-Williams, M.Ed., CCC-SLP
Former NCNC Project Coordinator
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Tamara H. Norris, MSSW, MPA
Director (Retired)
Family Support Program
School of Social Work
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Jennifer Stone, MS, CCC-SLP
Former North Carolina Navigating Care Research Assistant
PhD student
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Ranita Anderson, PhD CCC-SLP
Former NCNC Post doctoral Research Associate
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Steering Committee
Amanda Zaski, Duke University Health Systems
Angel Callicutt, NC CC4C
Benjalee Pittman, Arc of NC
Brian Deese, NC Division of Public Health, Part C Infant Toddler Program
Brianna Stokes, Family Member
Caroline Garrett, UNC Chapel Hill
Christy Moore, Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center (ECAC)
Cindy Ehlers, Trillium Health Resources
Darragh Davis, Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities
David Ingram, NC Council on Developmental Disabilities
Debbi Kennerson, Greensboro Children’s Developmental Services Agency (CDSA)
Donita Johnson, Innovative Approaches
Evelyn Shaw, UNC Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center
Felicia Williams, Autism Society of North Carolina
Gerri Mattson, NC Division of Public Health, Women and Children’s Health, Children and Youth Branch
Gerri Smith, Family Member
Ginger Wilder, NC CC4C
Hsui-wen Yang, UNC Chapel Hill
James Kussman, TEACCH Autism Program
Jen Kelly, NC Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services
Jill Sirko, Exceptional Children’s Assistance Center (ECAC)
Karen McKnight, NC Department of Public Instruction
Kerri Eaker, Family Support Network™ of NC
Kristi Snuggs, NC Division of Child Development and Early Education
Lacosta Parker, NC Medicaid
LaToya Chancey, NC Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services
Leslie Ross-Snipes, Family Member
Lynette Robinson, NC Division of Mental Health, Developmental Disabilities and Substance Abuse Services
Marian Earls, NC ABCD
Marie Smith, Family Member
Mariela Maldonado, Autism Society of NC
Megan Roberson, Trillium Health Resources
Melissa Johnson, NC Infant Mental Health Association
Michaella Kosia, Family Support Network™ of the Greater Triangle
Michelle Merritt, NC Division of Health Benefits, NC Medicaid
Morgan Parlier, Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities
Nicole Ginn Dreiling, TEACCH Autism Program
Ruth Thomson, TEACCH Autism Program
Safiyah Jackson, NC Partnership for Children
Sharon Loza, NC Early Intervention Branch, Division of Public Health, Women’s and Children’s Health Section
Shea Cleveland, NC Family to Family Health Information Center & Family Support Network™ of the Greater Triangle
Sheila Arias, Moms Rising
Smokie Brawley, Child Care Resources, Inc.
Talley Wells, NC Council on Developmental Disabilities
Tamara Dempsey-Tanner, NC Division of Public Health
Tocarra Osborne, Innovative Approaches
Veronica Ramirez-Chance, Family member