Interdisciplinary Technical Assistance Center on Autism and Developmental Disabilities

MS, Educational Psychology, University of Nebraska-Omaha, 1995
BA, Psychology, University of Nebraska-Omaha, 1989

2003 to present, Consumer/Family Coordinator, Munroe-Meyer Institute

Serve as Institute liaison to national and local disability policy programs and initiatives. Develop/improve statewide systemic supports for individuals with disabilities and families.
Serve as staff to Institute Community Advisory Board. Serve on interdisciplinary committees at the Institute, develop curricula and supervise and train students.
Develop and participate in designated presentations grant activities and special projects.
Interact directly with parents and individuals with disabilities on service gaps and barriers.

Eastern Nebraska Office on Developmental Disabilities, Omaha, NE
1989 to 2003, Behavior Management Specialist

Provided consultative behavioral health services to setting staff, parents, school staff and other providers.

Services provided included assessment/data analysis, treatment plan development, documentation, in-service and community training, and collaboration with behavioral health and medical providers.

Provided School Psychology and Behavior Intervention services on contract with school districts in Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa, private therapy clinics, and community service providers.

Concurrent Experience

Father of a young man with Down Syndrome

National Disability Network Activities/Appointments

Federal Interagency Coordinating Council, U.S. Department of Education, Washington, D.C., 1999 to 2002, Chair, Family Empowerment Subcommittee

Provide national presentations on early intervention concerns, develop materials for use nationally, attend quarterly Council meetings, and conduct monthly conference calls and other communications.

Association of University Centers on Disabilities Council on Legislative Affairs, Silver Spring, MD, 2003 to present

Participate on national legislative and policy initiatives, including the IDEA and Medicaid work groups.

Division of Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children, Governmental Affairs Committee, Washington, D.C., 2002 to present

Provide advice and assistance to the Division and Council on Federal legislative and policy position initiatives.

Federal Office of Special Education Programs Grant Review Panel, Washington, D.C., 2002 to present

Review and provide recommendations to the Office on education grant initiatives.

Hilton Early Head Start Project, California Institute of Human Services, Sonoma State University, Rohnert Park, CA, 2002 to 2006

Trainer in the Hilton Early Head Start Project. Served as a trainer in the Special Quest curriculum at regional annual conferences.

State Disability Network Activities/Appointments

Early Development Network, Department of Education, Office of Special Populations, Lincoln, NE, 2003 to present, Family Partner

Participate in the administration of Early Intervention Services through the Early Development Network. Duties include policy analysis, participation in the Early Childhood Interagency Coordination Council activities and family/leadership support activities.

Department of Health and Human Services Aged and Disabled Program Quality Council Work Group, Lincoln, NE, 2003 to present

Participate in work group authorized by the Health and Human Services on the development and implementation of quality oversight activities for the program.

PTI-Nebraska, Omaha, NE, 1995 to present
Board President.

Local Disability Network Activities/Appointments

Arc of Omaha, member;

Better Living Inc., Board member

Publications

Smith, M. (2009) A Communion Story.  Journal of Religion Disability and Health, Volume 13, Issue 3, p 326.

Smith, M.; Hansen, H.; et al (1998) Principles of Family Involvement. Federal Interagency Coordinating Council, United States Department of Education, Washington, D.C.

Smith, M.; St Clair, L. (2003) UCEDD Satisfaction Survey. Munroe-Meyer Institutes, Omaha Nebraska.

Smith, M.; St Clair, L. (2004) AT Survey. Iowa Protection and Advocacy, West Des Moines, Iowa

Brehm, L.; Smith, M.; et al (2005) Together for Kids and Families Family Survey. Nebraska Health Human Services, Lincoln, Nebraska.

Smith M. (2006) Behavior Problems: Breaking Personal Property. Iowa Protection and Advocacy, West Des Moines, Iowa.

Cohen, D.; Smith, M.; et al (2006) Family Trainee Competencies. Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Washington D.C.

Angus, M.; Meurrens, B.; Smith, M. (2006) Nebraska Agenda on Full Participation. Nebraska Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities, Lincoln, Nebraska.

Regular Periodical Contributions

"What's Up," Nebraska Early Childhood Training Center
"The Focus, Arc of Nebraska
"Mminfo," Munroe-Meyer Institute on Genetics and Rehabilitation

Link to MMI Consumer & Advocacy Web Page