Ohio National Core Indicators Staff
NCI Administration
Emily Faherty:
My name is Emily Faherty and I am the Project Manager for the National Core Indicators Project in Ohio. I have been working on the NCI project since March 2018. I have my Bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Science. I love that this job has allowed me to meet passionate and caring people across the state of Ohio. I am grateful to have this job which impacts the lives of people with disabilities in a positive way!
Madison McCoy:
NCI Interviewers
NCI interviewers are responsible for meeting with people who have been randomly selected to participate in the National Core indicators project (NCI). Each year interviewers receive a list of people selected to participate in the area in which they live. NCI interviewers come from all different backgrounds, whether they are a person with a disability, a family member (parent, sibling, etc) of a person with a disability, or someone who is a professional working with individuals who have disabilities. To learn more, or If you are interested in becoming an NCI interviewer, please email NCI Project Manager Emily Faherty at emily.faherty@osumc.edu.
Gail Basine (Not Pictured)
Denise Benight:
Hi! My name is Denise Benight and I am both a family advocate and a nurse in the field of developmental disabilities. I’m married to the love of my life and have three beautiful, independent daughters. I love to ride our motorcycle, read everything from self-help to fiction and hang out with my family! This is my 3rd year with NCI and I absolutely love it!
Alexis Brown:
Hi! My name is Lexi Brown and I live in Sandusky, Ohio near Cedar Point and the beautiful Lake Erie with my husband and my 3 wonderful children, a daughter and two sons. I can relate to how disabilities affect the lives of all members of a family as my husband, two sons and myself learn very well from my daughter. I have a Bachelor of Science in Social Work and currently work in the education field. When I am not working, you can find me spending quality time with my family, finding new places to visit, attending my middle child’s sporting events or at home watching Ohio State Buckeyes and Cleveland Browns.
Sheila Brown:
My name is Sheila Brown. After earning a degree in education, I worked for many years in professional staffing/recruiting and vendor management, then as a full-time mom, and most recently training medical students on patient engagement and counseling. I love to volunteer my time with school and community outreach organizations. I live in Dublin, Ohio, with my husband of 15 years, our two teenage boys, a crazy Maltese-Shih Tzu dog and a jealous cat. I can talk to anyone and quickly learn all about what is important in their life. Like many people today, I can relate to how disabilities affect the lives of all members of a family. That is what makes me excited to be an interviewer for NCI.
Ruth Dodge:
My name is Ruth Dodge and I live in Columbus, Ohio. My career has focused on managing operational and clinical services to individuals with various strengths and needs, including those with developmental disabilities. I value the technical aspects of tasks as well as supporting individuals, families, and staff in the joys and challenges of life. My personal life is filled with family and friends, playing musical instruments and attending cultural events, the love of dogs, and travel. I enjoy meeting new people, applying newly-acquired information, and making contributions that are helpful to others. That’s why I’m so excited to assist in the NCI Project.
Julie Geiger:
My name is Julie Geiger and I live in Sandusky, OH, on beautiful Lake Erie. I am the sister of an adult brother with disabilities. I am also a licensed social worker and I work for the county early intervention program through the Erie County Board of DD. When I am not working, you will find me and my family cheering on the Cleveland Guardians, or the Ohio State Buckeyes, enjoying the lake, supporting our high school music program by working in the football concession stand, or just hanging out with our kids and our border collie.
Katie Mills:
My name is Katie Mills. I have worked for 25 years for Clermont County Board of DD. I have a Masters Degree in Education and am a Developmental Specialist for Early Intervention. I have been married to my husband for 30 years and we have 3 children. Our two daughters are married and our son is in his 3rd year at Xavier University. Our family loves celebrating birthdays, going to sporting events, and Sunday dinners together.
Our oldest daughter, Sophie, is married to a wonderful man she met through UC’s residential program (college) for young adults with special needs. She and Sam reside on their own, have jobs and attend most sporting events taking place in the city.
I have loved working with children and families throughout my career. I also have experienced much of what my families are having had a daughter of my own with special needs. I am grateful for the relationships and experiences I’ve had the last 25 years.
Krista Moore (Not Pictured)
Ann Prenger:
Hello! My name is Ann Prenger and I currently live in Columbus, Ohio. I was born and raised in Auglaize County and still have many friends and family there and enjoy going back to the area visiting them as often as possible. I do not have any children of my own but have 33 nieces and nephews, and I get great pleasure from attending as many of their sporting events, music or drama performances as I can, I worked for over twenty years with adults with developmental disabilities in sheltered workshops and day programs, on the East Coast and in Franklin County, both before and after I earned my Master’s Degree in Speech-Language Pathology. Currently, I am working for an Educational Service Center as an SLP in a public school system, working primarily with students from 4th-12th grades. In my free time, I greatly enjoy travel, reading, movies and Broadway shows and of course spending time with family and friends. I have been with the NCI project since May 2018. I have enjoyed meeting new people and talking to them about their lives and their thoughts about their services. I’m so glad to have the opportunity to assist in the NCI Project.
Barbara Sapharas:
Hi, My name is Barb Sapharas. I was born and have lived in NE Ohio my entire life. I worked with people with disabilities and their families and retired 5 years ago. I had 2 brothers with disabilities and am a Board Member of the Sibling Leadership Network. I have been for NCI for 2 years and enjoy meeting people and having conversations about what is important to them in their lives. I enjoy reading, walking and traveling. I look forward to meeting new people.
Pat Schwinn:
Hello, My name in Pat Schwinn. I was born and raised in Cleveland Ohio, but Columbus has been my home for over 46 years.
I am a retired Speech-Language Pathologist. For the majority of my career I have worked with people who have intellectual or developmental disabilities. My specialty was working with people who needed speech generating devices. I enjoyed the technology and all the advancements that were always happening throughout my career, but most of all it was the people I worked with. I am enjoying retirement, and my days continue to be busy enjoying my family, which include10 grandchildren, volunteering at Ohio Health Hospice, gardening, reading and continuing to meet new people.
Carmen Shelton (Not Pictured)
Jody Stanley:
Hey everyone! My name is Jody Stanley. I am married, have two beautiful children, and a little 3lb Yorkie. I have a degree in Criminal Justice, have worked as Registered Behavior Technician providing ABA therapy to children on the spectrum, and have worked for many years with individuals with disabilities in a school and home setting. Currently I am an Independent Provider serving Morgan and Muskingum counties. I love what I do and I love helping individuals advocate for themselves. When I’m not working I enjoy hiking, movies, spending time with my friends and family, exploring new things, and traveling. I am a third-year interviewer and am so appreciative for the opportunity given to me by the Nisonger Center to conduct these interviews and to meet all of the amazing people I’ve had the opportunity to speak with.