Melissa joined the IOD in 2005. Currently she supports several projects, including establishing a training and technical assistance center for the advancement of evidence-based children’s behavioral health practices; preparing paraprofessionals to provide specialized enhanced care coordination to children, youth and their caregivers with substance use concerns; implementing a 2-year program in higher education to young adults with Intellectual Disability; and the implementation of the IOD’s core UCEDD grant.  Previously, Melissa worked on projects to support access to person-centered long-term care options for individuals with disabilities and/or who age into disabilities, assessing consumer satisfaction with community mental health services, developing core competency standards for individuals who work with children with emotional and behavioral challenges, supporting family and informal caregivers, and integrating affordable housing with long term supports. Prior to joining IOD, Melissa worked for the State of New Hampshire at the Bureau of Behavioral Health and at New Hampshire Hospital. Previous employment included University of Iowa Mental Health Clinical Research Center and United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania.