The Professional Parenting Program Staff
Susan O'Shea, Ed.S., BCBA, is the Clinical Program Supervisor of the Professional Parenting Program. She is responsible for the overall oversight of clinical support services. Susan has been in the field of developmental disabilities for more than 25 years, working with both children and adults who experienced a variety of challenges. Her tenures with the American School for the Deaf and Connecticut Institute for the Blind has lead to a strong interest in verbal behavior and the use of augmentative and alternative communication systems. Susan received her undergraduate degree and teacher's certification in Special Education at Southern Connecticut State College, a MA in Special Education from UCONN and an Ed.S. degree in Behavioral Education from Simmons College, becoming certified as a BCBA in 2004.
Michael AuYang, LMFT, is the Program Supervisor for the Connecticut Professional Parenting Program, a position he has held since 2005 after a three year tenure as a Residential Instructor in the Institute’s Community Services Program. He is responsible for processing referrals to the Professional Parenting Program, including overseeing the completion of the intake process, completing Risk Assessments of children referred to the program and participating in the Matching Team process to place children with appropriate families. Michael received his Master’s Degree in Marriage and Family Therapy from Southern Connecticut State University and is currently a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist.
Kristen Leard, M.A., BCBA is a Clinical Coordinator for the Professional Parenting Program. She is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and received her Master's degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from West Virginia University. She has previously worked in both the school and home setting conducting Functional Assessments and providing behavioral support for a wide range of children and teenagers.
Doreen Reis, M.S.W., is a Clinical Coordinator for the Professional Parenting Program. Doreen graduated from Boston University with a Master in Social Work and has worked with children and families including; biological, foster and adoptive since 2002. She joined the Insitute's staff in 2007 as a Professional Parenting Coordinator and is currently now pursuing her BCBA (Board Certified Behavior Analysis).
Nicolina Ku, LCSW, is a Clinical Case Manger for the Professional Parenting Program in Connecticut, a position she has held since 2003. Recently, Nicolina has been promoted the position of Clinical Case Supervisor. Nicolina works collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team consisting of therapists, psychiatrists, school personnel, and medical staff to ensure that treatment recommendations are appropriately implemented. She is responsible for providing in-home support and clinical case management to the foster parents and children. Prior to joining the IPPI staff, Nicolina worked at Family Service of Greater Waterbury where she was trained in Functional Family Therapy (FFT). Nicolina received her Master's Degree in Social Work from Columbia University and is currently a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
Martha Wick-Glaser, B.A., is the Recruitment and Training Supervisor of the Professional Parenting Program in Connecticut. She is responsible for recruiting and training foster parents for the program. Martha’s professional experiences include working with at risk youth with The Wraparound Milwaukee Project for seven years and working at Teipner Treatment Homes, Inc, where she began her work in specialized foster care. Martha graduated from Arizona State University in 1990 with her undergraduate degrees in Social Work and Women’s Studies.
Christy George-Tottenham, LMFT, is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. She has worked for IPPI's Professional Parenting Program since March, 1999. She held a full caseload as a Clinical Case Manager for four years before transitioning into the Recruitment and Training Department. All along, Christy has maintained a modified caseload while spending most of her time assisting prospective foster parents from the time of their initial phone call until the point of licensing. Christy regularly facilitates several trainings including CPR, 1st Aid, PMT, and Cultural Diversity to name a few. She is responsible for conducting the interviews for home study assessment, along with assisting the Recruitment and Training Supervisor on all aspects of licensing. Prior to joining IPPI, Christy worked as a residential counselor at Kids in Crisis and provided out-patient therapy at Milford Youth & Family Services.