Pennsylvania is divided into four regions: Northeast, Southeast, Central and West. Our membership is represented in these four regions. Each region is comprised of regional co-chairs and their members. Regional co-chairs represent their regions on EIPA’s Executive Committee along with the Officers of EIPA.
Officers:
Annie Smith, President
Annie serves as the President for Early Intervention Provider Association. She has also served as the Central Region Co-Chair and has been an active part of the Central Region for 14 years since moving to Pennsylvania from Indianapolis. Annie received her Doctorate in Physical Therapy from University of Indianapolis and worked for several years in a large pediatric outpatient center in Southern Indiana. Annie is currently the Director of Early Intervention at Strawberry Fields, Inc. in State College. Strawberry Fields, Inc. serves infants and toddlers in Centre County. In addition to early intervention, Strawberry Fields provides Residential services for adults with intellectual and mental health disabilities, Blended Case Management Services, and Social Enterprise and Employment services in their coffee shop, Good Day Café. Annie brings over 15 years of experience in management and strives to heavily invest in staff development, continually improving the quality of services provided to our families.
Kris Bowman, Immediate Past President
Kris has spent her entire career working in early intervention and is dedicated to promoting quality, inclusive practices so that all young children can have access to and participate in educational opportunities. After graduating from the University of Maryland with an undergraduate degree in Kinesiological Sciences, she began working as an early intervention infant-toddler teacher.
After many years of working as a classroom and home-based teacher she moved into an administrative role, leading transdisciplinary teams of treatment and
evaluation teachers and therapists. After earning an MBA, she co-founded an Early Intervention Program. REDI is a nonprofit agency that has serves hundreds of children and their families annually. She continues to work at REDI as the Executive Director of Education and Development.
Kris is currently the professional co-chair of the Montgomery County Local Interagency Coordinating Council. She also serves as the Immediate Past President of the Pennsylvania Early Intervention Providers Association. She is a member of the American Educational Research Association and a doctoral student at Cabrini University,
studying Educational Leadership.
Christi Gleason, Vice President
Christi is currently the vice president of EIPA. She has also served as Secretary of the EC and Co-Chair of the Southeast Region. Christi has a bachelors in Psychology and Masters in Special Education, both from Penn State University. She has been with the Cerebral Palsy Assn of Chester County since 2005 and is currently the Director of Children’s Services. At CPA, Christi oversees a large 0-3 early intervention program in Chester and Lancaster Counties, as well as an adaptive and assistive technology lending library that allows families access to items including walkers, gait trainers, adaptive seating, and a variety of sensory and communication supports. She also works as a Special Instructor supporting families as they navigate Early Intervention with their young child.
Jocelyn Debick, Treasurer
Jocelyn is currently the Treasurer for Early Intervention Provider Association. In the past, she has served as Co-Chair for EIPA. Jocelyn currently oversees the First Steps Early Intervention program as the Director of the department. She possesses extensive experience in administrative and supervision in programs serving children in a variety of early childhood settings, including Head Start/Early Head Star, PA Pre-K Counts, Keystone Stars, Child Care and Early Intervention. She is also the Chair of the Westmoreland County Local Interagency Coordinating Council. Jocelyn’s experience includes curriculum and assessment implementation, budget monitoring and development, working with children of all abilities, along with transitioning children in many different settings. She has provided support to professionals in the areas of curriculum and instruction, early literacy, assessment, inclusion, family involvement, health care management, enrollment and social services. Jocelyn is instrumental in identifying and coordinating the development of expanded business through the integration of the agency, Amazing Kids.
Sharon Richards, Secretary
