Introducing the Region VI Staff   

                       

Text Box: Marlene Christ, Project Director Marlene Christ is the Project Director for STAR NET Region VI. She has extensive experience in early childhood programs and services. Marlene has worked as a school based speech-language pathologist; diagnostician on an Early Childhood Diagnostic Team; Early Intervention service provider, and supervisor of an Early Intervention program. Marlene also served as supervisor of the speech-language program and assistive technology program at Southwest Cook County Cooperative Association for Special Education and as an educational consultant and trainer for Infinitec. Marlene has a B.A. in Speech, a M.H.S. in Communication Disorders and has completed graduate coursework for a School Administrators Certificate. Marlene can be reached at mchrist@swcccase.org Sheila Bauer, Resource Specialist Sheila brings 17 years of experience as a social worker to the STAR NET team. Sheila devoted most of her career to working in Early Childhood and Early Intervention programs as a social worker. She has led parent groups, facilitated children’s social groups, provided support in the classroom and contributed to assessment/diagnostic teams. Most recently Sheila coordinated Early Intervention services at Blue Cap. Sheila has a B.A. in Psychology and a M.S. in Social Work Sheila is a parent of two children with special needs. Sheila can be reached at sbauer@swcccase.org Joan Debelak, Resource Specialist Joan has been part of the STAR NET team since 1994. She draws from her experiences as a parent of a child with special needs and as a social worker in collaborating with families and early childhood professionals. Joan provides training and technical assistance on a variety of topics including building parent/professional partnerships and transition as well as topics dealing with concerns and needs of families who have young children with special needs. Joan has a B.S. in Journalism, and a M.S. in Social Work. Joan can be reached at jdebelak@swcccase.org Becky Handler, Resource Specialist Becky has worked for many years as a speech pathologist in a communication development classroom and as an inclusion facilitator. She has extensive experience consulting in early childhood elementary classrooms, day care sites and Head Start programs. Becky is able to provide trainings and assistance in the areas of autism, behavior, literacy and speech and language development. Becky has a B.S. and a M.S. in speech language pathology. Becky can be reached at bhandler@swcccase.org Nancy Pufahl, Resource Specialist Nancy has a B.A. in Education and Physically Handicapped and a M.S. in Early Childhood Education. Nancy is an experienced early childhood teacher and provides classroom suggestions upon request. This service is available to Early Childhood Special Education and Block Grant programs and to child care sites. Nancy has also worked in the early intervention field as a developmental therapist. Nancy can be reached at npufahl@swcccase.org