Advocates

Hannah is a Policy and Communications Associate. In 2020, she graduated from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown with a bachelor’s degree in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. In 2022, she graduated with her Master of Public Health degree with a focus on Behavioral and Community Health Sciences from the University of Pittsburgh Graduate School of Public Health. She worked in maternal and infant health research prior to joining DRP, along with many other jobs on the way. She was able to work for DRP for her practicum internship during the summer of 2021 before joining the team in her current position. Hannah enjoys laughing and spending time with her pets and loved ones.

Ledia has recently joined DRP as a Representative Payee Reviewer. She has an extensive background as a tax specialist and manager. She has also interpreted for people of various backgrounds, among them people with disabilities. Ledia is passionate about helping people with intellectual and development disabilities. She also enjoys cooking delicious meals for her family.

Kim has worked for DRP since 2006. She began as an intake coordinator and quickly moved into an advocacy position. Prior to working for DRP, Kim received her Bachelor’s Degree at Millersville University and completed some graduate studies at Penn State University. She worked in human services for more than 14 years in both direct care and managing a residential home. Kim’s focus has been on advocating for individuals with disabilities to access services in the community.

Samirah graduated from La Salle University in 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.  She went on to work in the child welfare systems in Philadelphia as a case manager in 2016 and 2017. Samirah also worked as a probation officer in Montgomery County between 2017 and 2019. Samirah enjoys spending time with her family, cooking and traveling.

Desiree, an advocate for people with disabilities, ensures that people have the opportunity to speak up for themselves and determine the life they would like to live. Since 2015, she has been employed by DRP as a facility advocate at Hamburg Center. Desiree earned an A.A. in psychology from Reading Area Community College and is currently pursuing her B.S. in psychology at Kutztown University. Desiree’s work experience with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities includes: seven years of direct care, two years as a team leader, and one year as a residential supervisor for a community provider. Desiree attends ISP meetings for self-advocates to ensure the development of their ISP reflects their rights, choices, preferences, interests, and enhances their quality of life. Desiree has facilitated monthly self-advocacy meetings and self-advocacy activities at the Hamburg Center. During these meetings and throughout the year, she educates self-advocates on advocacy and rights. Desiree has been instrumental in the development of the Self-Advocate of the Month Program at Hamburg Center. She feels that it is very rewarding for self-advocates to be recognized and celebrated for their achievements. Desiree is currently involved in supporting people who live at Hamburg Center transition into homes in the community. She meets independently with team members including families and participates in transition meetings. She is helping those who are moving determine what supports they need and want in a community life. Desiree ensures that every person who is planning to move to the community is given an opportunity to provide input regarding his/her new home and to learn as much as possible about the residences that are being offered. Desiree also makes sure that the services that are being offered by providers are person centered and adequate to meet the person’s needs.

Josh graduated from Saint Francis University in 2001 with a bachelors degree in history education. He went on to work in the residential treatment field as a counselor and program manager for over 20 years prior to coming to DRP in 2023. He worked with diverse populations from at risk adolescents to homeless veterans. In his free time Josh enjoys spending time with his family, hiking, and a wide variety of sports and music.

Martine is a Certified Work Incentive Coordinator. Martine started her career at DRP in 2005 with the Community Advocacy Project, providing advocacy to individuals with intellectual disabilities in the Southeast Region of PA.  She later joined the WIPA team, originally to provide much needed administrative assistance and eventually completing the rigorous training necessary for obtaining a certification as a CWIC. Previously, Martine worked at Vision For Equality as an advocate where she also volunteered for the IM4Q in Philadelphia. She was also a member of the Developmental Disabilities Council in PA and held an appointment on the Planning and  Advisory Committee to the Deputy Secretary of (currently) ODP. This advocacy career chose Martine; she has six children, two of whom were born with disabilities, all of whom make her proud.

Victor graduated from the University of Pittsburgh with concentrations in Psychology, Political Science, History, and Philosophy, and he completed post baccalaureate courses in accounting. He has vast work experience in human services with a focus on counseling and supporting individuals to achieve their personalized goals, including people with disabilities and those seeking treatment for substance use disorder.  Victor enjoys reading fantasy and science fiction novels, as well as spending time with family and friends.  He is a very happy spouse, parent, sibling and a definite pet person. He believes in the “golden rule” and is grateful to be part of an organization that cares about the human rights of all people.

Ronece has worked for DRP since 2003. She began her work as an intake advocate and has led the intake team and intake process since 2008. Before joining DRP, she worked in the human services field for 10 years as direct care staff and a residential home supervisor. Ronece provided training for central Pennsylvania staff in conjunction with Riverside Associates for several years. Topics included rights of people with disabilities and community inclusion. In her role at DRP, Ronece has supported thousands of clients with technical and short-term assistance. She works on protective services issues, provides resources for those in need, and helps people understand their rights.

Community Work Incentives Coordinator with the Work Incentives Planning and Assistance  (WIPA) team at Disability Rights PA.  Norma has worked in this position since 9/2015.  She has a master’s in business from University of Phoenix.  She has worked for Virginia Commonwealth University/National Training Center under the WIPA project. She also worked for Ticket-to-work/Employment Network AHEDD and held a dual role as Employment Specialist/CWIC for consumers with disabilities. She is the mother of 2, one child with special needs and the other one serving our country ( USA Marines).  She resides in Philadelphia, PA.

Marcos has served individuals with disabilities as a Community Partner Work Incentives Counselor for Social Security Beneficiaries looking for employment. He has also served as a Job Coach in the Philadelphia area since 2011. He is now a Representative Payee Investigator at DRP. He is a North Philadelphia native who graduated from Temple University in 2010. Marcos is also obsessed with comic books and Latin percussion.

Coleen is the Facility Advocacy Team Leader as well as the advocate assigned to Selinsgrove Center. She has approximately 30 years of experience supporting people with intellectual disabilities. Coleen has worked as a facility advocate since March of 1999 and prior to that, was employed for more than 10 years in numerous professional and managerial capacities with a community provider agency. In her tenure at Selinsgrove Center, Coleen has been instrumental in expanding the leadership and self-advocacy groups and has focused much attention on rights training and activities at all the centers.  Moreover, Coleen has helped transition many men and women from state centers to homes in the community.  Coleen holds several degrees including a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Thomas A. Edison State College and a Master of Business Administration from California Coast University.

Sarah has recently joined DRP as an Advocate at the Ebensburg Center.  She received her bachelor’s degree at Penn State in Rehabilitation Education. Sarah’s work experience with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities includes 34 years of employment for a community provider including working direct care in Community Homes, management of Lifesharing, Community Homes, Supported Living and Respite.

Her focus is developing relationships, advocacy activities and providing rights training.  Sarah is always recruiting new members for the Self Advocate Leadership group and encourages Self Advocates to take control of their lives.

Chanel is a graduate of Morgan State University. She has been an advocate with DRP since 2012. She provides direct advocacy to individuals with disabilities to ensure their rights are protected and they are free from abuse and neglect in their in the community and residential facilities. She educates families about the behavioral health resources that are available to their children in the least restrictive setting. She also works with individuals in out-of-home placements to ensure that they receive appropriate behavioral health treatments. She collaborates with residential providers to decrease lengths of stays in out-of-home placements and to coordinate appropriate discharge planning resources.

Tyler Trueitt joined Disability Rights Pennsylvania in 2022. She received her Bachelor of Science degree from Virginia State University (HBCU) with a major in Communications. Her life’s mission has been to see that the rights of underprivileged and underrepresented people are protected; and further, to ensure that this population enjoys the same fullness of life as anyone else. As a Representative Payee Reviewer, she advocates for the protection of children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Tyler’s efforts ensure that these individuals are safe, treated justly, and are not being financially exploited. She is excited to be a champion for persons with disabilities.

Dale is the coordinator of the Protection and Advocacy for Beneficiaries of Social Security (PABSS) grant. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and a Bachelor’s degree in Education through the University of Mumbai, India. She is also an accredited elementary teacher through the American Montessori Society. After many years of teaching, Dale joined DRP in 2008. Dale has advocated for the rights of people with disabilities in various matters, including assisting inmates in accessing disability services; addressing barriers to employment for beneficiaries of Social Security; and guiding clients on how to best achieve results by using self-advocacy methods. Dale is presently completing her Master’s in Law and Public Policy at the California University of Pennsylvania.

Renee Wagner is currently the Representative Payee Team Lead.  She started her career with Disability Rights PA in 2008 as a Facility Advocate at Polk State Center.  She worked in this role until 2018.  At this time, she began working with the representative payee team as a reviewer.  She strives to lead with excellence, passion, integrity, and kindness.  Prior to Renee’s employment with DRP, she spent 10 years working with a community residential provider.  Initially Renee provided direct care support to people diagnosed with intellectual disabilities,  later being promoted to the Director of Residential Services.