Heather Young

Heather is a project coordinator whose work is driven by a passion for person-centered approaches to innovative services that support individuals with disabilities and their families. She is dedicated to systems change work, braiding together funding to support the whole person and improvements to quality of services. She feels strongly that individuals with disabilities and their caregivers/family are an integral part of the team. She has a deep understanding of policymaking, home- and community-based waiver services, and grassroots advocacy efforts, and is dedicated to building strong relationships to enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities.

Prior to joining HSRI, Heather worked at Community Support Network, Inc. (CSNI), the association to the 10 area agencies in the state of New Hampshire that provide services to individuals with disabilities and acquired brain disorders. She was a Supports Intensity Scale (SIS-A) assessor and also participated in several cycles of the National Core Indicators (NCI) surveys by administering the in-person surveys and helping to coordinate the paper surveys. She spent several years as the director of education and advocacy working directly with individuals with disabilities and their families around grassroots advocacy and building relationships with policymakers, including testifying at the state legislature.

When not at work, Heather enjoys spending time with her husband and children, taking her dog for walks, and hosting outside gatherings with her extended family. 

Education

• NH-ME LEND Fellowship Graduate at the University of New Hampshire (UNH)
• NH Leadership Series trainee, mentee and group leader through the Institute on Disabilities (IOD) through UNH