Staff
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Tina Crook
Lead Parent Network Specialist, Program Coordinator
Learn more about Tina Crook
Paths for Parents and Family to Family programs
Phone: 304-461-0686
Email: tina.crook@hsc.wvu.edu
Tina found her way to the world of special healthcare needs after a rare virus left her teenage son with frontal lobe brain damage (acquired brain injury). She remembers well the feelings of being alone and overwhelmed, while not knowing who or where to turn to for resources and support. Through all the struggles that she and her son faced, Tina made it her mission to not only help her son recover, but to help other families navigate the systems that were so overwhelming to her. She wanted to learn about as many resources as possible so that families don't have to spend days or weeks looking for a resource.
Tina is a 1999 graduate of West Virginia Business College, a Certified Triple P Practitioner, and a member of the West Virginia Traumatic Brain Injury Advisory Board. She also has personal experience navigating the special education system.
In her free time, Tina enjoys spending time with her kids and grandkids. She also enjoys hiking, primitive camping, and kayaking.
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Patrice Guzman
Parent Network Specialist
Learn more about Patrice Guzman
Paths for Parents and Family to Family programs
Phone: 304-282-3762
Email: patrice.guzman@hsc.wvu.edu
Patrice Guzman is a dedicated Parent Network Specialist at the WVU CED where she works with the Paths for Parents and Family to Family programs. With a bachelor’s degree in sports, entertainment and event management from Johnson and Wales University, and a Master of Business Administration in marketing from Strayer University, Patrice brings a unique blend of skills to her role.
With nearly two decades of experience in senior-level positions within the non-profit sector, Patrice's transition to WVU CED was fueled by her personal journey as a mother of a medically complex child. Her firsthand experience inspired her to devote her career to supporting families facing similar challenges. Patrice uses her experience, empathy and understanding to help families navigate the world of caring for medically complex children.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Patrice is a devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend committed to making a positive impact.
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Bonnie Shannon
Parent Network Specialist
Learn more about Bonnie Shannon
Paths for Parents and Family to Family programs
Phone: 304-293-4692 ext. 60689
Email: bonnie.shannon1@hsc.wvu.edu
Bonnie Shannon is a Parent Network Specialist for the Paths for Parents and Family to Family programs at the WVU CED. Bonnie began to advocate for her own son when he was born prematurely at 28 weeks. He was diagnosed with cerebral palsy, was profoundly deaf, and required complex medical care for most of his life. After navigating through her son’s care, early intervention services and special education, Bonnie realized she could be her son’s strongest advocate and voice. Using her experience, she dedicated herself to guiding other families who have children with special healthcare needs to learn how to advocate for their children and find the vital services they need.
Bonnie has worked as a service coordinator with West Virginia Birth to Three and is currently a member of both the CED’s and WVU Medicine Children’s Family Advisory Boards. Bonnie also facilitates virtual and in-person Circle of Parents Support Groups. When not working, Bonnie is busy being an artist, traveling with her daughter and friends, and attending many arts and music events in her community.
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Tracy Wood, MA, CCC-SLP
Parent Leader, Family to Family program
Learn more about Tracy Wood
Email: tracy.wood@hsc.wvu.edu
Tracy Wood is a speech and language pathologist and a mother of seven children, both biological and adopted. She is a foster parent and fell in love with her son when she met him despite his challenging diagnosis. Since he became part of her family, she has advocated to help him receive all the opportunities that he deserves. Connecting other families to essential resources became a passion of hers as she continued her journey with her own child. Tracy believes that professionals should empower parents with the knowledge they need to care for their children with special healthcare needs using shared decision making.
Tracy received her undergraduate degree from West Liberty State College and a master’s degree in speech language pathology from The Ohio State University. She has worked in the education system, private practice, and early intervention for West Virginia Birth to Three. In addition to being Parent Leader, Tracy is a coordinator for Project DOCC and a member of the Parent Advisory Board. She holds a national ASHA certification as well as multiple state SLP licensures.
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Courtney Ringstaff
Parent Education Coordinator
Learn more about Courtney Ringstaff
Paths for Parents program
Phone: 304-646-6796
Email: courtney.ringstaff@hsc.wvu.edu
Courtney Ringstaff is a social worker with the Paths for Parents program at the CED. Courtney began with the CED as a student in 2016 and returned to work with Paths for Parents in 2022, a few years after receiving her master’s degree. She has worked with individuals with disabilities since 2014 in multiple capacities and has developed a passion for supporting them through transitions of life while supporting their parents, caregivers and families.
Shortly after starting her work with the Paths for Parents program, Courtney's own son was diagnosed with autism. Her personal journey as a parent to a child with special healthcare needs has enriched Courtney's ability to support and better understand other parents. She also hosts the monthly Adjusting the Sails podcast, which provides space for parents and caregivers of children with disabilities to share their stories.
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Ali Shipman
Parent Training Coordinator
Learn more about Ali Shipman
Parent to Parent Program Coordinator
Phone: 304-293-4692 ext. 60654
Email: alicia.shipman@hsc.wvu.edu
Ali works part-time at the CED to help bring the national Parent to Parent USA peer support model for families of individuals with disabilities and special healthcare needs to West Virginia. She is also developing a Family Training Series to improve access to health information, community supports, family leadership and advocacy, medical homes, family-centered care and other important information.
Ali received a bachelor’s degree in child and family studies from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and has experience working with WV Birth to Three and as an online ESL teacher. Her four boys keep her busy outside of work with lots of sports activities.
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Cheryl Childs
Administrative Secretary
Learn more about Cheryl Childs
Paths for Parents and Family to Family programs
Phone: 304-293-4692 ext. 60645
Email: cheryl.childs@hsc.wvu.edu
Cheryl Childs is the Administrative Secretary for the Paths for Parents and Family to Family programs at the WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities. She has an associate degree in secretarial studies. Cheryl also works as a mentor in the LEND program at the CED, contributing valuable input from her lived experience with a disability.
Outside of her employment, she is a busy single mom of three children.
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Melina Danko
Principle Investigator
Learn more about Melina Danko
Paths for Parents and Family to Family programs
Phone: 304-293-4265
Email: mdanko@hsc.wvu.edu
Melina Danko is the Assistant Director of Communications and Marketing at the WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities and the Program Director for the WV Family to Family Health Information Center and Paths for Parents program at the CED. She has over 20 years’ experience working in the disability field developing communication materials to improve access to disability information in West Virginia. Melina strongly believes that the best guidance can come from someone who has been there before, so she works hard to support the team members to enhance services and better serve individuals with disabilities and their families.