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THE WESTCHESTER INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT ANNOUNCES THE RETIREMENT OF JACKIE FOWLER

Valhalla, NY -- The Westchester Institute for Human Development (WIHD) announces the retirement of Jackie Fowler, MS, LCSW, who has coordinated the Consumer Resource Center since its inception in 1999.

“Jackie Fowler has made significant contributions to WIHD’s mission over the past nine years.   As a family member and a professional, Jackie brought an invaluable perspective as the first director of WIHD’s Consumer Resource Center.  She was successful in developing innovative programs, and then hiring qualified family members and adults with disabilities as staff members.  Jackie embodied WIHD’s philosophy of partnership with families, individuals and the community.   We will miss her,” said Ansley Bacon, Ph.D., President and CEO.

Ms. Fowler began her service with WIHD as coordinator of the then newly created Consumer Resource Center, a program that focused on health and wellness issues for adults with developmental disabilities.Among her accomplishments in directing this important resource for the adults served by WIHD, Ms. Fowler co-authored The Family Directed Transition Planning Guide with Barbara Levitz, Director of the Family Resource Center, and obtained a three year grant from OMRDD to develop the ACCESS Project, a service to assist adults and their family members with the NYS CARES housing initiatives.  Ms. Fowler served on the OMRDD statewide task force for Community Inclusion, the Self Advocacy Association of New York State and Parents to Create More Inclusive Environments. 

In March 2000, Ms. Fowler initiated the Medicaid Service Coordination program to serve transitioning adolescents and adults with obtaining the supports and services they need to live and work in the community.  This was the first MSC program in New York State that employed only parents of people with disabilities as service coordinators and operated completely independently of other pre-existing services. 

Prior to joining the Westchester Institute for Human Development, Ms. Fowler served as a Clinical Social Worker and then Director of an outpatient mental health service, Putnam County Mental Health Department, formerly Putnam Family and Community Services, for 30 years.   She received her MS degree from Columbia University School of Social Work and has served as a Field Instructor for Fordham University and New York University.  She held the position of Adjunct Professor, New York Medical College: LEND Faculty, while directing the WHID Consumer Resource Center.

The Consumer Resource Center, which has focused on health and wellness issues for adults with developmental disabilities, concentrating on the promotion of health self advocacy, has merged with another former WIHD program, The Family Connection, to create the WIHD Links Network.

WIHD Links Network provides resources, training and information to support individuals with disabilities and their families to live a meaningful and dignified life.  The program, staffed by individuals and families who are served by WIHD, promotes leadership, individual and family advocacy, self-determination and community inclusion with an emphasis on health and wellness through programs such as Parent to Parent of New York State.  Offering health self-advocacy training and support, the program is committed to
developing practices and policies that reflect promising outcomes in the field of disabilities. Phone: 914-493-2702

The Westchester Institute for Human Development (WIHD) is a major university-affiliated resource for clinical and support services, education and training, research and dissemination in the areas of developmental disabilities and child development.  It also serves as an advocate for changes in public policy.  WIHD serves individuals with disabilities such as autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, neurological disorders, metabolic disorders, cognitive disabilities and significant learning disabilities. WIHD also serves children and adults with speech, language and hearing disorders or delays.  A primary focus is on reaching unserved and vulnerable populations including children in foster care, their foster parents and birth parents and children who have experienced sexual abuse.

WIHD originally operated as a program of the Westchester Medical Center and has operated since July 2005 as an independent non-profit organization.  It is located in Valhalla, New York on the campus of the Westchester Medical Center and New York Medical College.  WIHD also has teaching affiliation agreements with over eight other universities.

About the Westchester Institute for Human Development

For more than 50 years, WIHD has played a critical role in the lives of children and adults with disabilities and their families.  As one of only 67 University Centers of Excellence in the country, the Institute is committed to improving the quality of life of persons with disabilities and their families through research, education, and innovative services.  WIHD programs focus on the development of children, the safety of vulnerable children, and the support of families and communities to promote the health and well-being of people of all ages.  

For more information about the Westchester Institute for Human Development, please call 914-493-8147, or visit www.wihd.org.

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