Andrea is a 31 year veteran to the field of developmental disabilities.She holds a B.A. in psychology from Boston University and a Master’s Degree in Community Mental Health Counseling from Northeastern University, both located in Boston, Massachusetts. Ms. Friedman is an advocate, educator, trainer, administrator, published author, and formerly a John F. Kennedy Fellow Mentor. She has extensive experience and knowledge in group home development, clinical supervision, behavior management, psychotropic medications, the spectrum of autism, and gerontology in the developmentally disabled population.

Andrea, originally from Queens, New York, began her career in developmental disabilities at the infamous Willowbrook State School (later known as the Staten Island Developmental Center) on Staten Island (Geraldo Rivera went public with the atrocities at Willowbrook in the early 1970’s, which led to it’s closing in 1987 and leading the way to de-institutionalization across America), where she performed IQ tests on all those individuals moving to community based Group Homes. Eventually she ran various types of residential programs including a 52-bed facility for dually diagnosed adults, free-standing respite houses, supported living apartments, Intermediate Care Facilities (ICF), and small community integrated group homes. In late 1999, Andrea migrated to Florida and became a Support Coordinator in early 2000. One year later she started Advocates In Motion and began hiring staff to join her in serving those children and adults placed on the Medicaid Waiver program in both Broward and Palm Beach Counties.

Andrea is an active member of FASC (the Florida Association for Support Coordinators), sits on the Area 10, Broward County Quality Assurance Steering Committee, is on the Advisory Board for the Tamarac Bulldogs (a non-for-profit recreation program serving teenage and young adults with special needs) and, was Governor Bush appointed to the Broward County Local Advocacy Council in 2006.

Andrea’s vision for A.I.M. drives the Agency forward offering quality care and varied services to all people with special needs.

Jim has been with Advocates In Motion for over four years. With the intent on becoming a Support Coordinator Jim initially started his career as the Office Administrator and personal Assistant to the Executive Director in an effort to learn and understand how the field of developmental disabilities played out in the State of Florida. Jim became a Support Coordinator 6-months later and has never looked back. He was promoted to the Director of Program Operations two years ago and is now directly overseeing the day to day operations of our ever growing Agency.

Jim was born and raised in Pennsylvania. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania in 1989 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications, Jim pursued a career in the Human Resources field for over twelve years. While following this path, Jim also worked with the mentally ill population as a case manager, helping manage the Community Integrated Living Arrangement (CILA) project. This project was instrumental in encouraging those with mental illness to become more integrated in the community, where access to services and counseling were made available. Following relocation to South Florida, he decided to move into the social work field, and saw the Medicaid Waiver program as a natural extension of his CILA work.

Jim’s career pursuits have landed him in Philadelphia, Chicago, Boston, and now calls Fort Lauderdale his home. He is a voracious reader and closely follows research on Egypt, the Middle Ages and the Titanic. Jim has volunteered many hours at local animal shelters, and considers his cat “Andy” a much loved family member. Jim enjoys music and singing and would love to pursue acting if he had some spare time. He is skilled at the computer and his newest challenge at A.I. M. is to help steer our Web Site to national recognition for information, resources and direct service for all people with special needs.

Colette was born in the Island of Jamaica West Indies. As a young lady she migrated to the USA in 1986 and first landed in Dorchester, Massachusetts where she worked at the Harvard Community Health Plan as a Childcare Supervisor for five years. She attended Roxbury Community College for a brief period of time while working. Colette has experience providing and monitoring supports that have been delivered to infants, toddlers and their families.

Colette relocated to Florida in August of 1985 and worked as a Home Care Manager where she developed strong leadership, decision making and analytical skills. Colette continued her education at Broward Community College in the nursing curriculum, but decided to switch her career to social work. After obtaining an Associate’s Degree in 1998, in Liberal Arts, Colette went on to further her education at Florida Atlantic University where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology in 2000.

Colette has been working with the both the developmentally disabled and mental health populations for over six years. Colette’s strengths are in facilitating and supporting the development and maintenance of families and their extended network. She is a good communicator and conscientious social worker. She thrives on making the right connections to support the choices of the people she serves. There is never a “stone un-turned” by Colette as she reaches out to family members, community members and professionals who may assist her in getting was is needed for her consumers.

Colette joined Advocates In Motion over one year ago after spending three –years at ARC Broward County. Her positive reputation preceded her as she has been quite successful at integrating her past experiences and skills in to her present role with A.I.M. Colette has also become increasingly interested in those persons who have become court involved and is beginning to earn the title as “expert” in the field of forensics in the developmentally disabled population.

Colette is a single mother of three teenagers all who enjoy traveling with their school’s Marching Bands in various capacities. Colette herself is musically inclined and sings with her Church Choir when taking a break from her demanding but rewarding work life.

Mara started at Advocates In Motion as our Administrative Assistant nearly one year ago after realizing retirement just wasn’t for her. Quickly learning the role of a Support Coordinator, Mara was determined to start a new career. In November 2006, Mara became a Support Coordinator and all around her can tell she has met her fate. She truly loves what she does and honestly cares for those she works for.

Mara was first involved in Social Work in the late 60’s when she worked as a Case Worker in California for four years. She was forced to leave the job she loved when she chose to follow her Air Force husband. In the mid-70’s, while living in England, she volunteered 30 hours a week for three years as a Red Cross Mental Health Counselor. There she provided support to Military Wives having difficulty adjusting to life in a foreign country. For one year she ran a support group for American High School Students who were boarding at the High School on the Air Force Base. She also served as a Unique Support Aide to a child with a psychological disability. Upon returning to the United States in September 1980 she settled in Boston, Massachusetts where she began a long career working with the Air Force as a Personnel Specialist, a Financial Manager, and finally as a Contract Negotiator/Manager. Mara went back to College in 1993 and graduated in 1997 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

In December, 2005 she retired and moved to Florida to be closer to her family. Mara describes her “first love” as helping people. When not at work assisting her consumers, Mara volunteers time at her local Church and is still an active mother to two grown children and a grand-mother to four young children. She enjoys caring for pets, music and a good home movie with friends. She is also active in a local organization that pursues finding children who have been deemed missing. Mara is an asset to the A.I.M. team for her wisdom and compassion.

Marcia is the newest member of Advocates in Motion. She recently joined the staff for a newly created position in February 2007 after working with Florida State Agencies in a variety of roles over the past 14-years. Marcia has extensive experience in case management, investigative work and group home development. She has worked for Adult Protective Services with the Department of Children and Families and with the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. She comes to A.I.M. with an eye for detail, a mind set for understanding people and families who have special needs, an ear for good listening and a drive for perfection.

Marcia is married and a mother of two adult children (and yes, she is Michelle’s mother). She was born in Brooklyn, NY, raised in Miami and fluent in Spanish. Marcia holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Florida International University in management. She is excited to be part of the private sector and feels her past experience with the State will be an invaluable asset in dealing with quality assurance for A.I.M. Her goal is to ensure all people being served have what they need to lead happy and productive lives in the communities of their choosing.