Jennifer Machucki, Buffalo, Class of '03

I learned about the Partners in Policymaking program while I was a social work intern from the University at Buffalo completing my second year internship at the Self Advocacy Association of New York State. In May of 2001, I graduated from UB with my MSW and was hired by the Self Advocacy Association as an AmeriCorps Member. After completed my term of service with AmeriCorps, I applied and was accepted into the 2003 Partners in Policymaking class.

Since graduating from Partners I worked for the WNYDDSO as a social worker from April 2004 to February 2005. Also in 2005,I bought a condominium in Williamsville NY. I used some of skills I learned in Partners to obtain a Community Development Block Grant from HUD which I use to improve the accessibility of my Condominium. The skills I learned in Partners also helped me find a way to have my cat Candy declared an emotional support animal so we could remain together despite the condominium's no pet policy. My experience in Partners gave my the confidence I needed to take the social work licensure exam which I took and passed with flying colors in April of 2005. I finished the test in less time and got a better score than my sister which was a pleasant surprise to both of us.

In June of 2007, I got a job as a Transportation Coordinator at People Incorporated and became an aunt for the first time. My niece \ god daughter Claire loves music, dancing, cats and being spoiled rotten my her aunt "Denny" I am looking forward to becoming an aunt again in August.

I've been a member of the Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day planning committee since October of 2000. When I first became a member of the committee, I didn't know anyone on the committee nor had I ever been to the conference. For these reasons, I sent my first year on the committee listening to what was said at meetings and doing what I was asked to do. Over the past nine years, I have developed good working relationships with the other members of the committee, I actively participate in meetings, have a clear understanding of my role on the committee and regularly volunteer to participate in television interviews that publicize the conference. Next year I will be the chairperson for the tee-shirt committee.
In April of this year I lost my job at People Incorporated. I am currently job searching and considering my career options. I am thinking about writing a book, becoming a Life Coach or learning to train service dogs.

Picture: Jennifer Machucki '03 (bottom L), Terri Abrams '02 with Speaker, Kathie Snow (bottom R) at Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day in Buffalo 5/09.

Tina Gabel, Class of '03

Tina Gabel, an experienced project manager, works closely with families to develop innovative transition plans for youth with disabilities. In her transtion practice, Tina helps families navigate the complex NYS disability and benefits systems in order to create meaningful life plans. Tina provides assistance with strategic planning, project management and service coordination of comprehensive family directed plans.

As a highly competent and caring professional, Tina uses a person centered approach to empower individuals to reach their potential. Tina works in close collaboration with agencies, state departments and local community resources to identify and obtain personalized supports and services for individuals and their families.


Tina is a married, mother of two children with a strong background in disability advocacy, self determination, person centered planning, self employment for persons with disabilities, transition services and personalized service development and planning. Tina is also experienced in corporate project management and innovative assistive technology.

Tina has trained with Dr. Beth Mount in person centered planning techniques and is trained in Medicaid Service Coordination and individualized budget startup/support brokerage in NYS. Tina has attended NY Medical College for a graduate program in Developmental Disabilities and also received training in IRS Pass Plan development. Tina is also trained in conducting assistive technology evaluations for students with disabilities.

In her free time, Tina enjoys beading, knitting and yoga. You may have seen her at Bead & Purl in Rhinebeck, NY a retail store she owned and operated in 2006-2007. Bead & Purl was a small business designed to “host” the embroidery business run by her daughter who has a disability.

Tina says,"My husband and I spent last year developing a not for profit Medicaid Service Provider agency to work with the niche population of youth in transition. We wanted to specialize in helping youth who "fall through the cracks" in the systems. Unfortunately, last fall, Medicaid funding was frozen for new OMRDD related projects and we put the provider agency on hold.

So, I began to work with families to assist them with the complicated and frustrating process of moving from the school system which is entitlement based; to the adult systems which are eligibility based with long wait20lists. We are now considering "evolving" the not for profit concept into something more directed at comprehensive person centered planning along with information/referrals and service brokerage rather than providing actual Medicaid services and supports."

Check out Tina's new blog here.

Joe Gerardi, Class of '93: Self Determination

This video is all about Joe's son Joey and Self-Determination. His son is living a life anyone would want!!!