2025 KTDRR conference

2025 KTDRR conference: Enhancing Knowledge Translation: Impact Measurement, Online Strategies and Technological Integration

Tiffany Neal, PhD, HSPP Director, HANDS in Autism Dr. Neal has a rich background in clinical neuropsychology, school psychology, and applied behavior analysis with a concentration in complex or dual diagnoses and experience across inpatient, outpatient, diagnostic, home, school and community-based service and treatment settings.
Kristan Sievers-Coffer, MS Program Management Specialist, HANDS in Autism Kristan joined the HANDS team in 2022. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education and Masters in Elementary Education from Indiana University. She began her career in education as a teacher for 16 years at the middle school level in Illinois and Indiana, covering a range of subjects including primary science, social studies, and English. She was also a senior specialist at the Indiana Department of Education, Office of Special Education for 10 years.
Boti Ogunmola, MPH, CPH Data Specialist, HANDS in Autism Boti Ogunmola joined the HANDS team in 2023. She leads the state and community facilitation team with a focus on community partnerships and development with the aim of providing continuous evidence-based services and support to individuals, caregivers and professionals through qualitative and quantitative research, communicating effectively with stakeholders and other community engagement efforts.
Mounika Gottipati, BDS, MSHI Data Specialist, HANDS in Autism Mounika joined the HANDS team in 2022. She has a Health Informatics Master’s degree from Indiana University Indianapolis. Her areas of interests include health data analytics and clinical informatics. She works as a Data Specialist and is eager to immerse herself in the team's projects.
Levy Grant Levy Grant is a 3rd-year doctoral student at Indiana University in Special Education. She and her son are both autistic and have ADHD. He was identified and diagnosed in early childhood, while she was not identified until her mid-30s. One of her current research interests is in preparing general educators to implement inclusive practices in their classrooms to support students with disabilities. As an Associate Instructor, one of her responsibilities is to instruct preservice general educators on the characteristics of high-incidence disabilities and their educational responsibilities under IDEA.
Itarah Godbolt Itarah (eye-tar-rah) is a Florida native who has lived in Northeast Ohio since 2018. She has a diverse professional and educational background that includes the performing arts, youth services, and administrative support. Itarah is a single parent to her neurodivergent son, LJ. He is the inspiration for her recent advocacy work in the autism field. Itarah serves as a parent/family representative for her county's Family and Children First Council, a support parent for Ohio's Parent 2 Parent Support Program, and a member of Ohio's Family Advisory Council. Her passion is to advocate, educate, and connect with families within the community.
Maria Alvarez-Rodriguez Maria Alvarez-Rodriguez studied education at Ball State University, Purdue University Northwest, and Columbia College. She was a teacher for over twenty years. She spent most of that time teaching special education and a few of those years teaching general education. At the beginning of her career, she worked as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Riobamba, Ecuador at a special education school. She has her education license in Indiana and Illinois. Currently she is working for IN*SOURCE which is Indiana’s Parent Training Information Center. She loves helping others learn whether they are school age or adults. Likewise, she loves continuing to learn. Recently she took a Spanish class at Purdue University Northwest to improve her cultural knowledge, and she completed the Indiana Keys to Literacy Course as required by the Indiana Department of Education.
Deb Robarge Deb has dedicated her career to advancing school nursing and public health, with a focus on health equity and optimal outcomes for children and families. For the past six years, she has served as Executive Director of the Indiana Association of School Nurses, representing the association at the state legislature and collaborating with health and education coalitions. Previously, she spent over two decades as Health Services Director at the Indiana School for the Deaf and began her career as a school and public health nurse in rural Wisconsin. From 2009 to 2014, she served as Indiana’s delegate and board member for the National Association of School Nurses. A summa cum laude graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Eau Claire School of Nursing, Deb became a nationally certified school nurse in 2005 and has presented on topics such as asthma, immunizations, and care planning for students with special health needs. In her free time, she enjoys walking, reading historical fiction, and traveling to explore diverse cultures.
Marissa Pangle Marissa is an unapologetically autistic behavior clinician, advocate, and a nationally certified sexual educator, specializing in education for the disabled community. With over a decade of experience in the field, she is the founder of Independent Pathways and Divergent Dating, groundbreaking programs that empower disabled adults to live with autonomy, pride, and demand equity.
Sarah Reaves Sarah Reaves is a licensed speech-language pathologist who has worked in the public schools for 28 years. Most recently she has spent the past 10 years serving as the Autism Coordinator for Franklin Township Community School Corporation in Indianapolis, IN. Sarah is a certified Pro-ACT trainer for the district and coaches special education teachers working with students who need intense interventions. Sarah has presented on various topics for the Indiana Speech and Hearing Association, OCALI, Educating the Whole Child, PATINS, and ICASE. She enjoys cooking, entertaining her family and friends and reading in her spare time.