Partnership Home > About the Partnership > Meet the Trainers
Michele Barnes
Region: Eastern
Affiliated Agency: Vision for Equality
I learned about the Partnership when I attended a presentation made by Vision for Equality at our local high school. I was extremely impressed with the trainer, the content of the presentation, and the mission of Vision for Equality. Our youngest daughter has an intellectual disability after a series of medical mishaps. Because of this, we have been involved in the disability community for over 20 years. I do not have any experience as a speaker or advocate at Vision for Equality, but as a mother acquiring and sharing knowledge and my experiences, I have been extremely well received, respected, validated, and appreciated. I have begun my training and I hope I will be able to train on multiple topics soon. I am available weekends and evenings. I can cover Pike, Wayne, and Monroe counties, weather permitting.
Michael Farsace
Region: Western
Affiliated Agency: Achieva
I learned about the Partnership through a flyer passed out at my daughter's school. I was driven to advocate for my youngest daughter, and wanted to better understand and navigate the MR system. I have been learning and training with the Partnership for over a year now. I can train on Introduction to Waivers, Individual Support Plans, PUNS, Once You Have a Waiver and Introduction to the MR system. I am available to present any time, except for the second Tuesday and the last Monday of each month (though I may be able to schedule trainings with adequate notice). I am available to present from the northwest corner of Pennsylvania to Pittsburgh. I have four beautiful children. Their mother Catherine and I will be married on February 29, 2008. I am a certified chef, current President of the American Culinary Federation in Erie, PA, and the general manager of a wonderful social club. Working at the Partnership has opened many wonderful doors and filled my life with great new people.
Ginny Flynn
Region: Western
Affiliated Agency: ACHIEVA
I am the mother of three, including one child with a disability. I have completed the Families First training, C2P2 and Advanced Leadership Training. I have been involved in the PA Waiting List and IM4Q. I am available to train in the western region of the state.
Brenda Folk
Region: Central
Affiliated Agency: Mentors for Self Determination
Sharon Harper-Young
Region: Eastern
Affiliated Agency: Vision for Equality
I am an activist parent for my 11-year-old son, Josh, who is a student at First Philadelphia Charter School for Literacy. I have worked for the IM4Q in Philadelphia County and am involved with the Planning Advisory Committee to the Office of Mental Retardation. I serve people with special needs as a member of the Philadelphia Police and Fire Board of Directors. My favorite quotation is from Sir Thomas Brown: All the wonders you seek are within yourself.
Ramona Klink
Region: Statewide for Self-Advocates, Central for Families
Affiliated Agency: Self-Advocates United as 1, Mentors for Self Determination
I was told I could never do anything beyond working in a sheltered workshop, but here I am - teaching, going to meetings, and traveling with friends. I am a state-wide trainer for the new Self Advocates United as 1. I have been a member of Mentors for Self Determination for four years, and have been a trainer of self-advocates for over three years. I am proud to serve on the Management Team of The Partnership, the Statewide Steering Committee for IM4Q (Independent Monitoring for Quality); the Positive Health Practices Committee; and the PAC (Planning and Advisory Committee of the Office of Developmental Programs).
I live at home with my dad, and enjoy visits with my two sisters in Maryland and Florida.
Dennis Kohler
Region: Central
Affiliated Agency: Mentors for Self Determination
Lawrence Kubey
Region: Western
Affiliated Agency: Achieva / Self Advocates United as 1
Esther Kuhn
Region: Statewide for self-advocates, Central for families
Affiliated Agency: Self-Advocates United as 1, Mentors for Self Determination
For 5 years, I have been working hard through the legal system to gain full custody of my daughter, who was taken from me at birth. I have learned a lot about my rights and speaking up for myself. I like helping other people learn these things, too. I am a state-wide trainer for the new Self Advocates United as 1. I have been a member of Mentors for Self Determination for four years, and have been training self-advocates for over three years. I serve on the Management Team of The Partnership; the Statewide Steering Committee for Independent Monitoring for Quality (IM4Q); the Positive Health Practices Committee; and the Planning and Advisory Committee of the Office of Developmental Programs.
I enjoy my life-share arrangement with my new family.
Camilla Lange
Region: Eastern
Affiliated Agency: Vision for Equality
Debbie Leasure
Region: Central
Affiliated Agency: Mentors for Self Determination
I am the Partnership Co-Coordinator for Mentors for Self Determination (M4SD). Presently, I serve on the Western Region Quality Improvement Council, Crawford County Human Service MH/MR Advisory Board, Crawford County Quality Council and Person Centered Quality Improvement Standing Committee. During the last 20 years, I have served on several workgroups for Crawford County Human Services.
I am available to mentor (assist) family members or self-advocates statewide, one-to-one or in a group on issues, concerns, or questions regarding the Mental Retardation System in PA.
I have 2 children and am happily married.
Kathy Lesko
Region: Western
Affiliated Agency: ACHIEVA
Presently, I am the Partnership Assistant for Achieva and will provide all trainings established by the Partnership. Previously, I was the Achieva Resource Coordinator and Parent-to-Parent Coordinator. I am happily married with two sons, and am very active in my children's schools and many community activities.
Susan McCloskey
Region: Statewide for Self-Advocates, Central for Families
Affiliated Agency: Mentors for Self Determination, Self-Advocates United as 1
I travel hundreds of miles each month to ensure that people with cognitive disabilities get the information they need to work within the MR system. I have been a family trainer with Mentors for over 5 years, and am now a Master Trainer. I am a co-coordinator for Mentors and the coordinator for the newly-combined Self Advocates United as 1. I currently serve on the Planning and Advisory Committee of the Office of Developmental Programs (PAC) and the Positive Health Practices Committee.
I have been happily married for 30 years. Our own children have flown the nest and we have been blessed to provide foster and life-share arrangements for many children. We are honored that several are still with us as they continue to live their lives of self-determination as adults.
Steven Merush
Region: Statewide for Self-Advocates, Central for Families
Affiliated Agency: Self-Advocates United as 1, Mentors for Self Determination
I am a state-wide trainer for the new Self Advocates United as 1. I have been a member of Mentors for Self Determination for four years, and have been a trainer of self-advocates for two years. I am proud to serve as a co-chair for the Western Region Quality Control Council
I live in my own apartment, love video games and weightlifting, and have a great part-time job at the local college. I followed my dream to be a wrestler and am proof that you can do anything you want.
Ana Pacheco
Region: Eastern
Affiliated Agency: Vision for Equality
For the past 7 years, I volunteered as an advocate for families and parents with special needs; I recently joined Vision for Equality. I wanted to become trainer because of the huge need to get information to the Latino community, and I asked to help make this information available. When my husband and I first came to the United States for better services for our son, we did not know anything and had no information. I think it is great to bring the information to other families because I don't want them to have to struggle like we did. I can train on Overview of the MR System and both of the Waiver trainings. My availability is pretty flexible, just as long as I am given enough notice. I can cover the Philadelphia five-county region and if necessary can go as far as Harrisburg and Allentown. In the future, I would like to expand this to cover the whole state. I am very concerned about the Latino population and the barriers to their getting information that they need. I participate in the Partnership to help include this population.
Emilio Pacheco
Region: Eastern
Affiliated Agency: Vision for Equality
I learned about the Partnership through Vision for Equality, where my wife and I work as advocates. I wanted to become trainer because of the huge need to get information to the Latino community, and I asked to help make this information available. When my wife and I first came to the United States for better services for our son, we did not know anything and had no information. I think it is great to bring the information to other families because I don't want them to have to struggle like we did. For the last 7 years, I have advocated for parents and special needs children. I can train on Overview of the MR System and both of the Waiver trainings. My availability is pretty flexible, just as long as I am given enough notice. I can cover the Philadelphia five-county region and if necessary can go as far as Harrisburg and Allentown. In the future, I would like to expand this to cover the whole state. I am very concerned about the Latino population and the barriers to their getting information that they need. I participate in the Partnership to help include this population.
Jeanine Schultz
Region: Western
Affiliated Agency: Achieva
Currently, I am the Partnership Coordinator for Achieva. Formerly, I was Parent to Parent Coordinator for Achieve and a past board member for the Down Syndrome Board of Western PA. I have a degree in Information Technology and am a certified medical assistant and certified phlebotomist. I continue to facilitate parent support groups and trainings. I have 4 children and am happily married.
Lisa Tesler
Region: Eastern
Affiliated Agency: Vision for Equality
I have provided training on Inclusive Education, Circle of Friends, IEP Development, Understanding the MH/MR System, and Social Justice in Education for Students with Disabilities. I am on the Board of Directors for the Pennsylvania Education for All Coalition, participated in the Pennsylvania Autism Task Force, served as a leader in the Harrisburg Area Chapter of the Autism Society of America, provided individual technical assistance to parents of children with disabilities in IEP development, and acted as an advocate for students with disabilities at school meetings. I am involved with many parents in the central region of the state to encourage and promote full community participation and inclusion for all children.
