START Project

Amy Matthews, Ph.D., LP, BCBA, LBA - Project Director
(616) 331-3513, [email protected]

Amy Matthews is a Professor of Psychology at Grand Valley State University (GVSU) and Director of the GVSU Autism Education Center. She has served as the Director of the Statewide Autism Resources and Training Project (START), funded by the Michigan Department of Education, Office of Special Education, since its inception in 2001. She supports implementation of the START project activities, supports Regional Collaborative Networks, and presents modules in both the Early Childhood and Classroom Supports training series. Amy is actively involved in various state projects to improve integrated opportunities for autistic individuals and support positive, self-determined outcomes. She is the Chair of the Michigan Autism Council with a focus on implementation of the Michigan ASD State Plan. Amy has been involved in various grant awards over the past 24 years, and she has published and presented in the field of autism. To balance time at work, she enjoys being outdoors, hiking, and paddleboarding, and when time allows, traveling to explore new places.

Jana Benjamin, J.D. - Project Manager
(616) 331-6482, [email protected]

Jana Benjamin joined the START Project in 2014. As the Project Manager, she is responsible for the administration of the START Project grant, including managing the budget and ensuring regulatory compliance. Jana works closely with START's RCNs and contributes to START's work in the areas of family engagement, effective school-family collaboration, special education law, and Peer to Peer support programming. As an “autism parent,” she works closely with school teams to implement effective strategies for supporting students with autism and is passionate about authentic inclusion and meaningful transition opportunities for autistic individuals. Jana earned her B.A. and J.D. at the University of Michigan. Prior to joining START, she worked for the Michigan Supreme Court, the Michigan Court of Appeals, the State Court Administrative Office, and the Board of Law Examiners. Jana enjoys spending time with her family, traveling (especially Up North), and cheering on the University of Michigan and Detroit sports teams.

Lisonn Delcamp, Ed.S. - Autism Education & Intervention Specialist
(616) 331-6842, [email protected]

Lisonn Delcamp has been involved with the START Project for over 19 years and joined full-time in 2018 as an Autism Education and Intervention Specialist. Her key responsibilities in this role involve the development and delivery of K-12 and Secondary Transition educational training and resources. Lisonn provides technical assistance and training to Regional Collaborative Networks and Trainers/Coaches of START Content. Additionally, she serves as an adjunct instructor for GVSU, teaching courses in the autism endorsement program. Prior to joining the START Project, she was a director of special education and a teacher of students with autism for 20 years. Lisonn is an English Bulldog rescue enthusiast and enjoys camping and the outdoors.

Stephanie Dyer, Ed. S., BCBA - Autism Education & Intervention Specialist
[email protected]

Stephanie Dyer has been involved with the START Project in a variety of roles since her initial participation in a START training series in 2005. As a full-time project staff member, Stephanie focuses on content development and training in behavior, FAPE in the LRE, inclusive practices, education-based evaluations and developing EPLI Trainers of START Content. Working to create equitable and inclusive systems is a passion for Stephanie and forms the foundation of everything she does. She is actively involved in state and national organizations and seeks to facilitate partnerships and connections to strengthen the work. Previously, Stephanie worked with the MiMTSS Technical Assistance Center for 10 years, focusing on implementation of PBIS, including the intensification of behavioral interventions and FBA/BIP. A school psychologist and BCBA, Stephanie has worked in several districts and ISDs in Michigan throughout her career, most recently serving as a Special Education Supervisor. Stephanie enjoys time with family and friends, traveling and being on the water, and continuous access to iced tea.

Kellie Fitzgerald, MPNL - Strategic Communications, Design, and Development Specialist
(616) 331-6483, [email protected]

Kellie Fitzgerald joined the START Project in 2014 and currently serves as the Strategic Communications, Design, and Development Specialist. In this role, she is responsible for the strategy and dissemination of START's communication efforts, including the Project's website, email communication, accessibility, and visual design. Kellie also brings a passion for inclusion and belonging to START and serves as an Inclusion Advocate at GVSU, a role that supports inclusive talent acquisition and ensures equitable employment searches. Previously, Kellie worked in project coordination, communications, advocacy, educational outreach, and mission advancement serving nonprofits across Michigan. When she's not working, Kellie enjoys spending time with her daughter and husband, traveling, and reading (and loves book recommendations!).

Lindsey Harr-Smith, M.A., CCC-SLP- Autism Education & Intervention Specialist
[email protected]

Lindsey Harr-Smith has partnered with the START Project for many years and joined the team full-time in 2023 as an Autism Education and Intervention Specialist. With a background as a speech-language pathologist, autism and Peer to Peer consultant, she brings expertise in communication, neuroaffirming practices, inclusion, and belonging. Lindsey designs and delivers training on Peer to Peer, comprehensive communication supports (including AAC), self-management, and universal supports for all students. She is passionate about building schools where inclusion, belonging, and mattering are lived priorities. Her work is grounded in presuming competence, honoring autistic identity and lived experience, and centering trust and authentic relationships as the foundation of meaningful student support. Outside of work, Lindsey loves spending time with family and friends, going to concerts, loving her dogs, and attempting to keep her plants alive.

Melissa Kurek - Office Coordinator
(616) 331-6480, [email protected]

Melissa Kurek joined the START Project in 2012. As the department's Office Coordinator, she is responsible for accounts payable, purchasing, event planning and setup, and general support for the entire START team. Occasionally, she gets to tap into her creative side by making special trophies, awards, and other fun items for various START trainings. Previously, she was the Administrative Assistant for the Vice-Chancellor of Administration and Finance at Kendall College of Art & Design. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Management from Spring Arbor University in 2020. Outside of work, Melissa enjoys life with her family, helping people, and keeping her hands busy by fixing things around the house, crafting, and restoring old, broken yard ornaments via repairs and beautification.

Avis Merry - Project Lead for Events and Logistics
(616) 331-6484, [email protected]

Avis D. Merry joined the START Project in 2024 as the Project Lead for Events and Logistics. In this role, she oversees project logistics, coordinates trainings and training series, manages the Annual START Conference, and maintains the Project's calendar. Prior to joining START, Avis has extensive experience working with law firms and non-profit organizations. She earned her J.D. with a concentration in general practice, solo practice, and small firm law. During her time at Alma College, Avis was an active Model United Nations Team member and competed on the Women's Tennis Team. Avis is a certified Master Gardener, has a passion for urban homesteading, enjoys spending quality time with her family, and is always on the lookout for a tennis partner to play with.

Jamie Owen-DeSchryver, Ph.D. - Project Faculty
(616) 331-8703, [email protected]

Jamie Owen-DeSchryver joined START part-time as Project Faculty in 2005. She participates in multiple START workgroups and Communities of Practice, including Family Engagement, Peer to Peer, and SHARES (Safety, Health, Advocacy, Relationships, Empowerment, and Sexuality). Jamie enjoys developing practical resources, collaborating with START staff and school partners, and designing acronyms. Outside of her work with START, Jamie teaches at GVSU, where she works with psychology undergraduates, special education students, and graduate students in school psychology. She holds a master's degree in Special Education and a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology. Across all of her roles, Jamie is deeply committed to building inclusive, supportive environments that empower students and families. Jamie's favorite quote is from Mark Twain: “Apparently there is nothing that cannot happen today.”

Stephanie Pulido, M.Ed. - Program Evaluation and Resource Development Specialist
(616) 331-6455; [email protected]

Stephanie Pulido joined the START Project in 2022 and currently serves as the Program Evaluation and Resource Development Specialist. Stephanie is responsible for developing systems for data collection and management, analyzing and visualizing project data, and working alongside the team to evaluate the impact of the project's activities and make data-based decisions. She also develops content and resources to support the implementation of evidence-based practices. Her many passions include empowering educators, fostering belonging, Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), secondary transition, and more. Prior to joining START, Stephanie has experience in education, research, online content creation, and resource development in the areas of intellectual and developmental disabilities and Positive Behavior Supports and Interventions (PBIS). Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys time with her husband and pets, especially when coffee is involved.

• Carrie Carr, M.A.; Curriculum & Instruction - Consultant; [email protected]
• Amanda Foster, M.Ed. - Consultant; [email protected]
• Shalyn Furton, MAT - Consultant; [email protected]
• Sarah Hampton, M.Ed., Special Education - Consultant; [email protected]
• Amy Hatto, OT/L - Consultant; [email protected]
• Mindy Irwin, M.A., CCC-SLP - Consultant; [email protected]
• Sarah Laurence, M.Ed. - General Education Consultant; [email protected]
• Kimberly Miller, M.Ed. - Consultant; [email protected]
• Katie Oswald, MS; [email protected]
• Kelly Rogers, Psy.S., BCBA - Consultant; [email protected]
• Jennifer Vivian, M.Ed. - General Education Consultant; [email protected]
• Stacie Rulison, M.S., M.Ed., BCBA - Consultant; [email protected]
• Gina Sanderson, M.S., BCBA - Consultant; [email protected]