Dr. Dustin Gordon, PhD

Dr. Gordon earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology with focus in cognitive science from the University of Rochester and earned a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

After completing a neuropsychology internship at Cornell University Medical College and a NIH dementia neuropsychology postdoctoral fellowship at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Dustin has practiced neuropsychology since completing his training in 1998 and specializes in traumatic brain injury.

Presently, Dr. Gordon is Director of Neuropsychological and Clinical Services at Rehabilitation Specialists (day and residential program for persons with TBI) and is clinical supervisor for neuropsychology Ph.D. externs at Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Barry Dain MSEd, MPA

For over 25 years, Barry has been an advocate for individuals with brain injury and their families to ensure that those individuals receive the services and supports that will enable them to reside in the least restrictive environment possible.

He received his  Masters degree from City University of New York in Special education in 1994 and a Master’s in Public Administration from Long Island University in 1996.

Among the many milestones in Barry's career are:

- 1994 Opened the first individualized residential alternative for Persons with traumatic Brain Injury in New York State.

- 1996 Launched one of the first Structured day program for persons with Traumatic Brain injury under the New York state Department of Health Traumatic Brain injury waiver program

- 2001 Opened the first Transitional Living program for persons with Traumatic Brain injury in New York State

- 2012 Elected as chairperson for New York State Traumatic Brain Injury Services Coordinating Council.

- 2016 Elected as the Board President of the Brain Injury Association of New York State.

The culmination of his efforts has resulted in the establishment of Advocate Homecare Inc. and the Ability Center, designed to be a leader in the care of individuals with traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

DEBBIE McKEE

MELINDA PEaRSON

Melinda Pearson  has worked with people with brain injuries for 20 years and is dedicated to promoting her clients’ abilities by listening and incorporating their experience into a positive and meaningful life.  Melinda earned her BA in  at LMU in 1992 and her MSW at Yeshiva in NYC in 1996.3

Athina Levesque

Athina Levesque brings 23 years of experience as a Mental Health Activities Specialist to her position as Structured Day Program Coordinator at the Ability Center at Advocate Homecare. Certified in Dialectical Behavioral Therapy by Behavioral Tech, a Linehan institute training company, Athina was an integral part of introducing and coordinating the DBT program for the adult inpatient services at Four Winds Hospital in Westchester. After pursuing a BS in Music Therapy at Nazareth College of Rochester, Athina received certification from Cornell University in Therapeutic Crisis Intervention. While bringing her knowledge of DBT to the Structured Day Program, Athina also integrates her passions for music, cooking, hiking, and nature.

HAROLD HEESE

JOSEPHINE TODARO

Josephine has resided in the beautiful Hudson Valley, Kingston, NY since she moved to the area to attend SUNY New Paltz.  Her professional life has been dedicated to the fields of developmental disabilities, brain injury, mental health, elder care and serious and persistent illnesses.

Josephine started her career as a service coordinator for Putnam ARC where she had the opportunity to work with the Brain Injury Association of NYS to support and serve individuals with brain injury.  After more than a decade of service, she accepted the position of Director of Day Program Services for Liberty Resources TBI program in Newburgh, NY.  Following her time at Liberty Resources, she joined the firm of Wilcenski and Pleat, PLLC, as the Director of Case Management services, ultimately spearheading the spinoff company, Adirondack Case Management and Advocacy.  In her capacity as Director, she developed, trained and implemented services to private pay clientele while working in tandem with trustees, fiduciaries and insurance providers.

Josephine recently joined the team of Advocate Homecare as the Director of Business Development.  Her knowledge, skills and training will offer customized rehabilitative opportunities.

Jo has served as PTA president, girls' softball coach, and member of the Helen Hayes Hospital TBI Advisory Board; she has been the recipient of multiple awards and recognitions from the Brain Injury Association of NYS.  Josephine will be honored on October 3, 2019 at the Resource Center for Accessible Living's 2019 Founder's Award celebration.  She continues to facilitate monthly brain injury support groups for all interested in the Kingston, NY area.

NATASHA LINDSAY

TERRY TERLIZZI

VERONICA SCIANNA

Veronica Scianna is an Independent Living Skills Trainor and Day Program Facilitator specializing in Traumatic Brain Injury and Nursing Home Diversion & Transition. Veronica has extensive experience in the field as a Home & Community Support Service staff.  Prior to working with this population, Veronica worked as a Pre-K teacher and a Day Care Provider and has an Associates in Applied Science in Early Childhood Education.  Veronica is a Children and Family Ministry Director where she provides support to church families and the lead Pastor.

JESSIcA RIBETH

My name is Jessica Ribeth and I received my Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology in 2015 from Pace University. While at Pace University, I worked at a facility for individuals with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Following my education at Pace University, I went on to The Chicago School of Professional Psychology and got my Master’s degree in Forensic Psychology. In my free time I enjoy going hiking and snowboarding.

ANDREA LEO

Andrea Leo is a Compliance and Service Coordinator, specializing in Traumatic Brain Injury and Nursing Home Diversion &Transition.  With over 6 years as a Service Coordinator and over 20 years in Compliance, Andrea is able to effectively advocate her client’s needs and ensure the participant(s) is receiving appropriate and adequate services from providers and maintain quality assurance.

Prior to working in her current position, Andrea was a Director of Emergency & Crisis Services at HONOR and an Institutional Abuse Investigator for NYS Office of Children & Family Services.  In this position, Andrea was certified by Cornell University as a Therapeutic Crisis Intervention Trainer.  Andrea is an experienced Waiver Service Provider and provided Skill Building, Planned Respite, Crisis Avoidance and Management Training and PBIS to foster children that participated in the Bridges to Health (B2H) Medicaid Waiver Program.

Christy Kniffin

Christy Kniffin has over 12 years of experience as a Service Coordinator. She has been a long standing advocate in the Hudson Valley area and has extensive knowledge of the systems and service providers, therapies and other resources in the general area.

Christy has two grown children on the Autism Spectrum. As a parent, she immersed herself with advocating for their needs and finding services in the area when they were younger. As the years progressed, she became a parent advocate in the special education system Newburgh School District.

From 1998-2005 she worked in home programs providing Applied Behavioral Analysis and Applied Verbal Behavior therapy to children with Autism.

In 2005 she earned her BA in Psychology and started working as a Medicaid Service Coordinator. In 2007 she started as a TBI Service Coordinator and in 2012 earned her CBIS ( Board Certified Brain Injury Specialist).  She has participated with the Brain Injury Association of NY as a volunteer in events such as Walkway over the Hudson and has helped survivors advocate their needs in Albany.

Jennifer Cioffiro

Jennifer has an Associates degree in Early Childhood, and a  Bachelor's Degree in Behavioral Science. She has  many years in the human service field. She previously worked in Preschools as a head teacher, followed by doing Analytical Behavior Analysis with children diagnosed with Autism. She has over 6 years experience working as a Service Coordinator with people with developmental disabilities. Jennifer has great knowledge of Home and Community Based Services. She currently works as an Independent Living Skills Trainer as well as working in our Structured Day Program. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her young twins.

MARISA BRINK, BA

Marisa Brink graduated from New York University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2009.  Prior to working in her current position she’s worked as a Supervisor in a Child Abuse Prevention Program for families, as a Wellness and Recovery Specialist for people in recovery from mental illness and/or substance abuse, and as an Assistant Director of a Wellness Program for At Risk Youth.

Marisa utilizes a strength-based approach to recovery and wellness which concentrates on using the strengths of the individual, families, and/or group to help with recovery and promote empowerment.  She also believes in a dynamic approach to programming which centers around the individuals and the ability to provide a wide variety of experiences and opportunities to foster growth and self-efficacy.

PEGGY ROGAN

Peggy Rogan has been providing ILST and PBIS for 10 years.  She enjoys helping people to maximize their independence and empowering people to advocate for themselves.  She received her BA in 1981 and her MS in Education in 1994.

APRIL ZIMMERMAN

I have a M.S., Post M.S. and Certification as a School Psychologist.  I am Permanently Licensed in NYC and State with this degree. We were taught to do a complete battery of testing, counseling and both individually and in groups, work with parents, train staff, write lesson plans and behavioral plans among other interesting skills. I received significant training in Positive Behavioral Management at Y.A I., and was a consultant to the U.C.P. and A.H.R.C. I enjoyed an interesting position as Adjunct Professor at The Borough of Community College.  Unfortunately, due to a “Perfect Storm” of events at one of the schools I was working at, my life changed forever. I was injured and suffered a traumatic brain injury. As a result, I have seizures every day and have chronic pain both of which I have learned to embrace.

At Advocate, I am a creator and facilitator of groups in which I try to motivate others in recovery from a TBI like myself to be excited about learning. I try to inspire, because I am standing up in front of them, and if I can do it they can.

Currently, I am in a dissertation program focusing on adults with Alzheimer’s and dementia.