Our dedicated team is here to help you succeed.
Alexandra Mikowski (she/her) serves as the Executive Director, overseeing all operations and program staff to ensure high quality services. Alex works with community partners to help deliver resources and advocacy to people with disabilities, their families, and caregivers. Alex strives to develop meaningful relationships with local nonprofits, businesses, donors and foundations, and community members to explore innovative solutions and promote independence and inclusion.
Sherry Lewis (she/her) serves as the Human Resources and Finance Manager, overseeing all aspects of the Agency’s bookkeeping and budgeting and providing assistance in the areas of human resources and grant writing.
Michael Eastman (he/him) serves as the Independent Living Coordinator, providing peer counseling to ATI’s consumers one-on-one and in class settings. He is a Certified Benefits Counselor helping people navigate SSI/SSDI and other benefits. Michael also provides advanced operations support for the management of consumer data.
Tina Carden (she/her) serves as Director of Outreach & Advocacy, overseeing all aspects of the Agency’s outreach, fundraising, marketing, and public education efforts. Tina also advocates for services and accommodations in schools and workplaces, helping adults, parents/guardians, and children get services they need.
Eris Hutch (they/them) serves as Administrative Assistant, providing advanced administrative and program support for the agency’s various programs. They provide primary oversight of reception protocols and coordinates the Agency’s consumer computer lab, community room, video & book resource library, and the durable medical equipment loan closet.
Dave Deckard (he/him) serves as the NY Connects Coordinator, working with people with disabilities, their families, and caregivers to provide unbiased information and connections to providers of long-term supports and services. Dave conducts education and awareness presentations to community partners, groups, and individuals about NY Connects along with local long-term supports and services. He also coordinates the Agency’s collaboration with the Cortland County Area Agency on Aging (AAA) on its NY Connects initiative.
Cora Mae Williams (she/her) serves as the 1115 Waiver Coordinator, supporting consumers in achieving better health and well-being. She aims to understand the unique needs of consumers and help them access tailored resources for housing, transportation, and nutrition. She assists with navigating eligibility for various programs to ensure people receive the benefits they deserve. Cora Mae also trains staff to stay updated on best practices to enhance our services.
Jessica Vaughan (she/her) serves as the 1115 Waiver Enhanced Care Manager helping to support individuals with Managed Medicaid access resources they need related to housing, transportation, nutrition. and enhanced care management. Jessica helps consumers create personalized plans and goals helping them to work towards a better quality of life. She is also able to connect people who don’t qualify for the 1115 Waiver with other ATI services or other agencies in the community.
Jeffery Schloupt (he/him) serves as Peer Support Specialist and 1115 Waiver Specialist. As Peer Specialist, his lived experience helps support and provide resources to nursing home and group home residents who are interested in transitioning to living in the community. As 1115 Waiver Specialist, Jeff helps to support individuals with Managed Medicaid access resources related to housing, nutrition, and transportation, along with enhanced care management. He also can make referrals to other ATI services and nearby agencies.
Ophelia Varieur (she/they) serves as an 1115 Waiver Specialist, helping to support individuals with Managed Medicaid access resources they need, related to housing, transportation, nutrition, and enhanced care management. Ophelia is also able to assist individuals who don’t qualify for the 1115 Wavier by referring them to other services offered at ATI or other nearby agencies to ensure they get everything that is available.
Terri Rigge (she/her) serves as Transition & Housing Specialist, working with service providers, as well as social workers in nursing homes, to coordinate the access and delivery of supports and services to individuals interested in home and community-based living rather than institution-based living. Terri identifies and helps eradicate barriers to community integration.
Samantha McMahon (she/her) serves as a Housing & Independent Living Specialist with the Olmstead Housing Subsidy. She works with people that are interested in returning to the community after an extended stay in a nursing facility. Samantha ensures that the participant meets the qualifications and works diligently to identify and secure appropriate housing along with identifing and eliminating any barriers. She works closely with many local agencies to help bring supports and services to participants in need.
Jessica Hazel (she/her) serves as Peer Advocate, using her lived experience to support and provide resources to nursing home residents who are interested in transitioning to community-based living. Jess also assists with referrals to ATI’s Transition Program along with providing peer and outreach support to ATI’s CANDLE Coalition.
Ally McCabe (she/her) serves as Project Director for the Cortland County Coalition on Cannabis & Alcohol – Neighbors with Disability & Lived Experience (CANDLE Coalition). CANDLE is a peer-led coalition dedicated to reducing substance misuse within Cortland’s disability community. CANDLE places great value in its peer-driven approach and is committed to providing education and leadership opportunities for all coalition members.
Stefania Buta (she/her) serves as the Data Coordinator for the Cortland County Coalition on Cannabis & Alcohol – Neighbors with Disability & Lived Experience (CANDLE Coalition). She oversees the coalition’s needs assessments, data collection, and evaluation efforts, managing both survey and archival data to assess trends in substance use, related consequences, and key risk and protective factors. Her work is guided by the belief that community insight is essential expertise that must guide data-driven work, helping ensure the coalition’s strategies are informed by both lived experiences and reliable evidence.
Abby Bancroft (she/her) serves as Independent Living Specialist & Grant Coordinator. Abby is a benefits advisor who can help you grow your financial abilities and independence goals. She can guide you through the benefits process, connecting you to supports and solutions along the way. Abby also coordinates the various grants that help to fund Access To Independence and the services we provide.
Payton Corl (she/her) serves as a Customized Employment Specialists, supporting individuals currently in or considering segregated, subminimum wage employment to transition into meaningful, competitive, and integrated work opportunities. She helps people identify their strengths, explore career paths, and jobs that foster independence and inclusion in the community.
Regina DiOrio (she/her) serves as a Customized Employment Specialists, supporting individuals currently in or considering segregated, subminimum wage employment to transition into meaningful, competitive, and integrated work opportunities. She helps people identify their strengths, explore career paths, and jobs that foster independence and inclusion in the community.
Josh Knecht (any/all) serves as Outreach Assistant, helping out with maintaining ATI’s website, creating social media posts, and helping out with outreach events. Josh also uses their graphic design skills to create newsletter, flyer, and social media graphics.
Rick Hinkle (he/him) serves as Administrative Assistant, providing advanced administrative and program support for the agency’s various programs. He provides primary oversight of reception protocols and coordinates the Agency’s consumer computer lab, community room, video & book resource library, and the durable medical equipment loan closet. Rick also provides primary support for the Agency’s newsletter production process and fundraising efforts.
Mary Helen Blake (she/her) runs the Sunday Strikers program that allows adults with disabilities to enjoy accessible bowling.