DISI Award

“Without innovation, we cannot advance” 
~ Ahmed Mohamed

About DISI

Driver of Innovative Service and Implementation (DISI) is awarded to an agency, organization, or initiative that drives the implementation of innovative programs/ services in the field of ASD and other developmental disabilities that relate to at least one goal of the Indiana Comprehensive State Plan for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

DISI Winners:

Winner: Erika Martinez Santos, Natural helper and a dedicated mother 

Congratulations to Erika Martinez Santos for receiving the March 2025 Driver of Innovative Service and Implementation (DISI) Award! This award is given to an individual, agency, organization, or initiative that drives the implementation of innovative programs and/or services in the field of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities. 

Erika Martinez Santos, a dedicated Natural Helper and mother of a child diagnosed with autism, hails from Goshen/Elkhart, IN. She volunteers at CHH and St. John’s Catholic Church in Goshen.​

She has committed herself to understanding and navigating life with autism. In 2024, she founded a support group for Spanish-speaking family members and caregivers of autistic children. Through this group, she provides valuable information and resources available in the community. Her goal is to help families navigate the systems and services available, ensuring they can benefit from programs that support the entire family.​

She sought to create a welcoming environment where family members/ caregivers could share their experiences and concerns to ensure that no one feels isolated but have a supportive network to turn to during times of need and moments of burnout.​

Winner: MARISSA PanglE, Behavior clinician and a clinical supervisor at elite behavioral services

Congratulations to Marissa Pangle for receiving the December 2024 Driver of Innovative Service and Implementation (DISI) Award! This award is given to an individual, agency, organization, or initiative that drives the implementation of innovative programs and/or services in the field of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities. 

Marissa Pangle has a balanced educational background that includes undergraduate coursework in special education and a master’s degree in Behavior Analysis. She works at Elite Behavioral Services as a behavior clinician and a clinical supervisor.

Truly embodies the DISI – Driver of Innovative Services and implementation. She is also the founder of 2 LLC’s that serve and provide information and services to adults  namely (I)Divergent Dating an organization that holds monthly meetings to teach and practice social rules and all subjects associated with relationships and dating. (II) Independent Pathways is an extensive curriculum designed for individuals of all abilities and neurotypes. It was designed and created to provide direct support and guidance to aid adults in navigating through the transitions, challenges, growth, and changes that come with adulthood.

She is also in the process of becoming an AASECT Sexual educator. Marissa is neurodivergent and has a brother that is on the Autism Spectrum and has high support needs. She has devoted her career and much of her personal time to expanding options, opening doors and providing support to those impacted by Autism.

WINNER: SAME As u, NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION

Congratulations to Same As U for receiving the Fall 2024 Driver of Innovative Service and Implementation (DISI) Award! This award is given to an individual, agency, organization, or initiative that drives the implementation of innovative programs and/or services in the field of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities. 

Same As U, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, was established in April of 2019 to serve young adults with developmental disabilities and help them live the life they imagine. ​They are filling a need for more meaningful activities and programming that often stop upon leaving the school system. Their services include continuing education, recreational, social and life skill training while fostering friendships and a sense of community.

​ Jennifer Sell is the Founder/Executive Director of Same As U and she works alongside her Co-Founder/Education Director, Sara MacGregor MS Ed. ​

WINNER: kATHY ballard, Director of Community Outreach at New Hope of Indiana​

Congratulations to Kathy Ballard for receiving the Summer 2024 Driver of Innovative Service and Implementation (DISI) Award! This award is given to an individual, agency, organization, or initiative that drives the implementation of innovative programs and/or services in the field of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities. 

Kathy Ballard is the Director of Community Outreach at New Hope of Indiana, where she oversees several community-based programs and Day Services. Kathy has worked for New Hope for 24 years. She is passionate about providing meaningful services for people labeled with a disability and believes all people deserve to be part of their community.​

Before New Hope, Kathy worked at Noble of Indiana for 13 years and at Goodwill for five years. Kathy and her wife, Jeannie are the proud parents of two men, one of whom has a label of disability. They have three grandchildren whom they adore. Kathy also holds a PhD in Special Education.

WINNER: Jeanne Fitzgerald, dedicated parent and advocate for families of individuals with Autism and other developmental disabilitIES

Congratulations to Jeanne Fitzgerald for receiving the Spring 2024 Driver of Innovative Service and Implementation (DISI) Award! This award is given to an individual, agency, organization, or initiative that drives the implementation of innovative programs and/or services in the field of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities. 

Jeanne Fitzgerald is a dedicated parent and advocate for families of individuals with Autism and other developmental disabilities. Jeanne lives in Indianapolis with her husband, Doug Mason, and is the mother to two children, a 23-year-old daughter and a 25-year-old son they adopted from Russia. Her daughter was born prematurely in 2000. She spent 2 and a half months in the NICU, and at age 5 was diagnosed with Autism at Riley hospital.  She has suffered through many chronic health conditions and challenges.   ​

In 2009, with the help of another mom, Suzanne Aaron, Jeanne started her first online group for parents. Suzanne worked at About Special Kids (now Indiana family to family) and generously shared her knowledge of Medicaid, Waivers, IDEIA, and all the other complicated systems that families must navigate to advocate for their children.  Suzanne’s knowledge and guidance inspired Jeanne’s commitment to share resources and information with other families.  ​

In 2017 Jeanne started her second Facebook group “Our Journey” (Indiana Families of Adults with Developmental Disabilities) The group has grown from 200 parents to over 1500 members from all over the state and continues to grow. Jeanne moderates the group and contributes by attending state meetings and informing members about changes to disability services. She writes letters, supplies information, and supports group members in multiple ways. She has a personal goal of seeing more family members be represented on committees.  ​

Jeanne is committed to empowering parents with the information they need so that they can advocate effectively and ensure their children have the best lives and services possible.  

WiNNer: Beth Shepperd, Director of Special Education at Plainfield Schools and Lead for the Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC)

Congratulations to Beth Shepperd, Director of Special Education for the Plainfield Community School Corporation, for receiving the Winter 2023 Driver of Innovative Service and Implementation (DISI) Award! This award is given to an individual, agency, organization, or initiative that drives the implementation of innovative programs and/or services in the field of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other developmental disabilities.

Ms. Shepperd was awarded and recognized for her exemplary work leading the Special Education Parent Advisory Committee (SEPAC). Her leadership, dedication, and commitment to the program have made a significant impact on the lives of many students and families. SEPAC is an excellent opportunity for parents to raise questions, voice their concerns, and provide direct input to school leadership to positively influence policy and program decisions. Her contributions have helped to create a more inclusive and supportive educational environment for students with ASD and other developmental disabilities. The great benefit of participating in a local SEPAC is that the individual needs of a child become part of the big picture and can reach a broader population of children, consequently, providing a mechanism for systemic concerns to be addressed by parents and community members in a proactive and productive way.

Winner: Kelsey Schapker, founder of Cam’s Sensory Equipment Kits (CAMSE) and the Executive Director of Autism Evansville

Congratulations to our new Indiana Interagency Autism Coordinating Council – IIACC Driver of Innovative Service in Implementation (DISI) award winner, Kelsey Schapker! Kelsey is the founder of Cam’s Sensory Equipment Kits (CAMSE) and the Executive Director of Autism Evansville. The CAMSE kits were created by Kelsey, in celebration of her son Camden, who is on the autism spectrum. The kits allow law enforcement, firefighters, airports, and other organizations to bring comfort to special needs children and adults in the event of a crisis, emergency, or stressful situation. Kelsey has served as a selfless humanitarian, staunchly advocating for the dignity, value, and inclusion of some of our most vulnerable citizens. The IIACC is proud to honor Kelsey and the important work she has been doing in the Evansville community and beyond!

Winner: Erskine Green Training Institute (EGTI)

We are proud to congratulate the Erskine Green Training Institute (EGTI) as the recipient of the Indiana Interagency Autism Coordinating Council’s first Driver of Innovative Service and Implementation (DISI) award! EGTI offers comprehensive vocational training curricula that provide individuals with disabilities valuable job skills, preparing them for employment in the hospitality, health care, and food service industries.

Participants in EGTI’s training programs receive instruction on topics related to health and wellness, life skills, and job-specific subjects before participating in hands-on job shadowing opportunities. In addition, EGTI provides students with mentors and tutors to enrich their experience at the Training Institute. EGTI’s combination of training and on-site internship programming seeks to lower the 82% unemployment rate among disabled individuals, including those with ASD and other disorders, and the program’s partnerships with employers in the City of Muncie exemplify the types of community-based collaborations that fuel the mission of the IIACC. Visit the Erskine Green Training Institute’s website (https://www.erskinegreeninstitute.org/) to learn more or to apply for admission.

Winner: One Community, One Family (OCOF)

We are proud to congratulate One Community, One Family (OCOF) as the recipient of this quarter’s Driver of Innovative Service and Implementation (DISI) award! OCOF is a community partnership that works to address the emotional and behavioral health needs of children and youth across southeastern Indiana.

Following an evidence-based System of Care approach, OCOF’s services are family-driven, youth-guided, community-based, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed.  The partnership connects mental health providers, educators, child welfare and social service agencies, juvenile justice professionals, and community coalitions with youth and families in the area to meet the needs of children and help them succeed at home, in school, and as part of their communities.

One Community, One Family offers a number of resources, training opportunities, and programming to improve and expand the services available to the populations they serve. OCOF’s offerings include Parent Coaching workshops designed to help parents and caregivers address children’s social, emotional, and behavior needs, multi-day trainings to educate providers on caring for families affected by trauma, and Parent Cafés that promote self-reflection and peer-to-peer learning as a means to support and engage families within communities.

Though OCOF is not an ASD-specific initiative, its services align with multiple goals of the Indiana Comprehensive State Plan.  OCOF’s focus on connecting children and families with the appropriate providers, community groups, and interagency resources exemplifies the objective of Goal Two (Family and Professional Partnerships), while its support of increased early developmental screening in child care centers in rural areas across Southeast Indiana aligns with Goals Three (Early and Continuous Development and Medical Screening for ASD Responses) and Four (Access to All Needed ASD Health, Mental Health, Education, and Social Services) of the Comprehensive State Plan.  For more information about One Community, One Family, visit http://www.onecommunityonefamily.org.

Winner: GALA

The 2017 IIACC Driver of Innovative Service and Implementation in ASD (DISI) Award was awarded to a group dedicated to supporting individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in the Spanish-speaking community – Grupo de Apoyo para Latinos con Autismo Indianapolis or GALA. Read more