Online Training Presenters
“I want to thank you for the outstanding webinar on FASD in Ohio. That was one of the most worthwhile webinars I have attended in quite some time. I will be able to go back to my organization and change how we do our evaluations/assessments so we better screen for FASD.”
Ira J. Chasnoff, MD
Ira J. Chasnoff, M.D., an award-winning author, researcher and lecturer, is president of NTI Upstream and a Professor of Clinical Pediatrics at the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago. He is one of the nation's leading researchers in the field of child development and the effects of maternal alcohol and drug use on the newborn infant and child. His research projects include a study of the long-term cognitive, behavioral and educational developmental effects of prenatal exposure to alcohol, cocaine, and other drugs; strategies for screening pregnant women for substance use; the effects on birth outcome of prenatal treatment and counseling for pregnant drug abusers; the effectiveness of both outpatient and residential treatment programs for pregnant drug abusers; and innovative treatment approaches for children affected by prenatal exposure to alcohol or illicit drugs. Dr. Chasnoff led the development and operation of a laboratory preschool classroom to develop specific interventions for children prenatally exposed to alcohol and other drugs and developed a model Head Start Family Service Center for children and their families at risk from drugs and the drug-seeking environment. In addition, Dr. Chasnoff directed one of five national sites conducting research into the integration of behavioral health interventions into primary health care services for high-risk children and their families, and through this project studied the impact of concurrent planning on permanency placement for children in the foster care system. Since 2002, Dr. Chasnoff has been leading cutting edge research into innovative treatment for children with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome. Read more.
Amy Groessl, PhD
Dr. Amy Groessl is a licensed clinical social worker specializing in the treatment of children and adults who have a history of complex trauma, neurocognitive deficits, attachment disorders, and issues related to adoption. She currently provides psychotherapy, clinical supervision, and consultation in a private practice in Chicago. Dr. Groessl was director of the therapy program at Children's Research Triangle (CRT) for 11 years providing direct services, local and national trainings, and managed local and federal funding grants, which included a seven-year project with the National Child Traumatic Stress Network. Besides her clinical work, Dr. Groessl is a visiting lecturer at the Institute for Clinical Social Work teaching courses that focus on qualitative research, trauma, attachment theory, and neuropsychology. In her free time, she enjoys working as a professional genealogist with special interest in helping adoptees research their biological lineage.
Christine Schmidt, PsyD
Dr. Christine Schmidt is a clinical psychologist who has specific interest and expertise in working with youth and families impacted by pre- and post-natal trauma. She began her postdoctoral career in 2001 at the Children’s Research Triangle (CRT), in Chicago, Illinois, where she received extensive training surrounding the assessment and treatment of children who have histories of prenatal substance exposure and complex trauma. Over the course of her 16-year tenure at CRT, Dr. Schmidt lead the child adolescent psychology program, coordinated the student and postdoctoral training program, directed several foundation and national grants, and provided numerous local and national trainings regarding pre- and postnatal trauma. Most recently, Dr. Schmidt has especially enjoyed co-directing a three year grant designed to help address the impact of secondary traumatic stress, compassion fatigue, and vicarious trauma on legal professionals working with youth in the child welfare system. In her current role as an Illinois Department of Children and Family Services consulting psychologist, Dr. Schmidt provides consultative psychological services to administrators, caseworkers, and other professionals involved with the department. Each summer, Dr. Schmidt and her two children, ages 10 and 13 years, appreciate the additional opportunity to help run a two-week overnight camp for children who have special needs, Camp SOAR.
Rich McGourty, PhD
Over the last thirty-five years, Dr. Rich McGourty has consulted with organizations in a wide range of industries, including business, government, health care/human services and higher education. His work areas include executive and management assessment and development; helping senior managers and teams formulate strategy; trouble-shooting with boards, teams, and organizations that are experiencing problems; and facilitating the development of high performance teams.
Rich received his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Loyola University in Chicago and is a licensed Clinical Psychologist in the State of Illinois. He has taught at Loyola University in Chicago and at St. Mary’s University in Winona, MN. He also served as an honorary visiting fellow at the University of York in England.
Ronald J. Powell, PhD
Ronald J. Powell, PhD, President of RJ Powell Consultants and the former Chief Executive Officer of the Desert/Mountain Special Education Local Plan Area, the Desert/Mountain Charter SELPA, and the Desert/Mountain Children’s Center has over 40 years of experience in public education as a special education teacher, consultant, administrator, and adjunct faculty at the University of California, Riverside. As a published author, accomplished public speaker, and a recognized expert in the administration of school-based mental health services, Dr. Powell has been instrumental in the development of a wide variety of exemplary programs for at-risk youth and has made numerous conference presentations on the subject. Dr. Powell currently serves as a consultant to school districts, county agencies and nonprofit organizations to facilitate the adoption of practices that address the emotional and behavioral health needs of at-risk youth. Dr. Powell serves on the Executive Board of the Children's Fund of the Inland Empire and is a Trustee for the Apple Valley Unified School District. He has been honored by the Association of California School Administrators as the Special Education Administrator of the Year for Region 12 and is the recipient of the Lifetime Advocate award by the Child Abuse Prevention Council for San Bernardino County and the Lifetime Achievement Award by the California Mental Health Advocates for Children and Youth.