About CPAC
Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center, Inc. (CPAC) is a statewide nonprofit organization that
offers information and support to families of children with any disability or chronic illness,
age birth through 26. The Center is committed to the idea that parents can be the most effective
advocates for their children, given the confidence that knowledge and understanding of special
education law and its procedures can bring.
Through outreach efforts and referrals from schools, social service agencies and other parents, the number of families that Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center serves has grown dramatically over the past 43 years. We continue to take pride in providing prompt and personal assistance to all who contact us. CPAC is staffed by parents of children with disabilities and people with lived experience who have extensive training in, and personal experience with, the law and disability issues.
In addition to speaking with families daily, CPAC staff conduct workshops for families and youth as well as in-service presentations for schools, teachers-in-training and service providers throughout the state so that they may better understand and serve the families with whom they work. Staff and Board members serve on numerous statewide committees and various organizations, representing issues that are of concern to families and youth in Connecticut.
Through outreach efforts and referrals from schools, social service agencies and other parents, the number of families that Connecticut Parent Advocacy Center serves has grown dramatically over the past 43 years. We continue to take pride in providing prompt and personal assistance to all who contact us. CPAC is staffed by parents of children with disabilities and people with lived experience who have extensive training in, and personal experience with, the law and disability issues.
In addition to speaking with families daily, CPAC staff conduct workshops for families and youth as well as in-service presentations for schools, teachers-in-training and service providers throughout the state so that they may better understand and serve the families with whom they work. Staff and Board members serve on numerous statewide committees and various organizations, representing issues that are of concern to families and youth in Connecticut.
CPAC Board Members
Claudia Bachmann-Bouchard, President
Jonathan Metcalf, Secretary
Alana Sejdic, Interim Treasurer
Grace Coombs
Margarita Vargas-Torres
Natasha Singer
Leticia Rivera
Shaune Martin
Susan Yankee
The Board of Directors is currently seeking a special education parent attorney knowledgeable in nonprofit or education law, a financial professional with experience in nonprofit operations, and a fundraising professional to join our Board. Email [email protected] for details.
Jonathan Metcalf, Secretary
Alana Sejdic, Interim Treasurer
Grace Coombs
Margarita Vargas-Torres
Natasha Singer
Leticia Rivera
Shaune Martin
Susan Yankee
The Board of Directors is currently seeking a special education parent attorney knowledgeable in nonprofit or education law, a financial professional with experience in nonprofit operations, and a fundraising professional to join our Board. Email [email protected] for details.
Leadership Team
- Jane Hampton-Smith, Co-Executive Director and State Contract Director
- Beth Reel, Co-Executive Director and Parent Training and Information Center Project Director
- Adriana Fontaine, Assistant Director and Early Childhood Programs Manager
Parent Consultants and Program Team
- Siobhan Brearley, Bureau of Special Education (BSE) Call Center Specialist
- Michelle Fitzgerald, Bilingual Parent Consultant and Training Coordinator
- Claudia Gonzalez, Bilingual Parent Consultant
- Robin Grondahl, Intake and Data Manager
- Laura Knapp, Transition Coordinator
- Jennifer Lussier, Partnership Programs Manager
- Michele Martinez, Early Childhood Parent Consultant
- Goviana Morales, Bilingual Parent Consultant
- Lisa Opert, Next Steps Coordinator
- Kiomary Sotillo, Bilingual Family Engagement Coordinator
- Laurie Stubbs, Bureau of Special Education (BSE) Call Center Specialist
- Renee Toper, Parent Consultant
Youth Team
- Emily Ball, Youth Educator
- Maraya Gonzalez, Youth Engagement Coordinator
- Kim Meares Surprenant, Youth Leadership Development Coordinator
- Jake Shumbo, Youth Programs Specialist
- Lily Watkins, Youth Team Intern
Administration & Operations
- To Be Determined, Finance & Human Resources Manager
- Mairin Finnegan, Communications and Marketing Coordinator
- Angela Erb, Administrative Assistant
- Josh James, Operations and Technology Coordinator
- Vanessa Pollock, Outreach Coordinator & Family Connections Intake Coordinator