Teresa McCourt is the Interim Program Manager of the Specialized Family Care Program within West Virginia University’s Center for Excellence in Disabilities. She works specifically with the community-based housing and family-based care of West Virginians with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Prior to her work with WVU, Teresa worked within the state correctional system.  She spent many years in leadership positions, including Deputy Director of Training, Director of Programs, and Warden. Teresa’s undergraduate degree is in Behavioral Sciences. She has a Masters in Strategic Leadership and is completing doctoral work in Public Service Leadership, with her primary area of study being public service within the cultural setting of Appalachia.  Teresa is an avid volunteer.  She founded and leads Braxton’s Kindness Campaign, a county-wide initiative and partnership between parents, businesses, and the school district to bring about positive, safe, and bully-free school cultures for the students. She is a Girl Scout leader, serves as the President of the local high school’s band boosters organization, and helps as a group facilitator at the local fellowship home for recovering addicts.  Despite her many and varied professional and civic roles, Teresa sees her most important role as mother of her two daughters, Maggie and Isabella.