Melissa C. Kushner
Sonoran University Center for Excellence in Disabilities (UCEDD)
University of Arizona
Sonoran University Center for Excellence in Disabilities (UCEDD)
University of Arizona
Ms. Kushner is the Senior Program Coordinator for the Sonoran University Center for Excellence in Disabilities (UCEDD) in the Department of Family and Community Medicine at the University of Arizona. She served as Coordinator for the I-AADAPT (Identify and Address Alzheimer’s and Dementia in Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities through Prevention and Training) project, providing an adapted National Task Group dementia capable care curriculum to over 400 participants across Arizona. She has served as coordinator for various Person Centered Planning (PCP) projects, has co-trained potential Person Centered Planning Facilitators, and has taught Person Centered Thinking workshops across Arizona.
Ms. Kushner previously worked for the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) for 21 years, primarily with the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD). During her time there she performed a variety of positions related to child welfare and served as the DDD Child Welfare Specialist for 15 years. She was a member of the DES Office of Professional Development unit developing and presenting training curriculum, was a DDD Employment Services Specialist, and a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor. Melissa has a bachelor’s degree in social work and sociology and obtained her Master's of Social Work from the Indiana University School of Social Work.
Ms. Kushner previously worked for the Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) for 21 years, primarily with the Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD). During her time there she performed a variety of positions related to child welfare and served as the DDD Child Welfare Specialist for 15 years. She was a member of the DES Office of Professional Development unit developing and presenting training curriculum, was a DDD Employment Services Specialist, and a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor. Melissa has a bachelor’s degree in social work and sociology and obtained her Master's of Social Work from the Indiana University School of Social Work.