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Personal Summary

In her role as the Center Coordinator, she frequently provides families and professionals with resources, makes referrals, and offers training to support families. She is very aware of the intersection of health and education. With degrees in Child Development and Elementary Education from Montana State University, she has worked on various grant-funded and state-contracted programs while raising five children.

Jennifer has over 30 years of experience working with children, families, and the professionals who support them. She uses her experience raising children with special health care needs, aged 17-30 years, with diagnoses including Pitt Hopkins Syndrome, anxiety, auditory processing disorder, and sensory integration disorder, to assist other families on their journey. She is very interested in genetics and policy changes at the local, state, and national levels. Jennifer serves on the Rural Dynamics Board, Montana Newborn Screening Committee, Montana Emergency Medical Services for Children Committee, Montana Residential Screening Committee, Montana Disability and Health Community Planning Group, and the National Enhancing Systems of Care for Children with Medical Complexity team.

When she isn’t spending time with her children and grandsons, Jennifer enjoys baking, reading, quilting, or birding. The Montana Bison Range Complex is her happy place. She grew up in a Montana family that taught her that everyone should have the opportunity to participate in their communities. In her adult life, her goal has been to assist families and professionals in coordinating advocacy efforts to improve communities for individuals with health care needs through research, training, and the application of evidence-based practices.

Education

B.S. Elementary Education, Montana State University

B.S. Child Development / Family Science, Montana State University

Projects

Montana Family to Family Health Information Center

Montana Family Delegate

Field of Study

Family advocacy

Self-advocacy

Genetics

Rare diagnosis

Parenting children with special health care needs