Dr. Leslie LaVergne is the Director of Wellness Programming within the Institute for Disability Studies at The University of Southern Mississippi.  Dr. Leslie LaVergne is the Director of Wellness of Programming and a Program Navigator for Transition of Teens to Adult Life (ToTAL) both housed in the Institute for Disability Studies at The University of Southern Mississippi. In these roles, Dr. LaVergne provides program oversight and supports families through health education efforts and resources. Further, she provides support to youth in obtaining internships and employment in the community. Lastly, as Mississippi's Ambassador to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Learn the Signs. Act Early Program, Dr. LaVergne provides trainings to educators and service providers to increase awareness and education in early identification of children at-risk for developmental delays. Dr. LaVergne received a Master of Science in Art Therapy from Eastern Virginia Medical School and a Ph.D. in Special Education from The University of Southern Mississippi. She is the co-author of numerous professional publications related to families of children with special needs and continues to conduct research related to this area.