Mark Smith
Biography
Mark Smith, M.S.
Mark Smith is an Omaha native and father to three; two daughters (and several grandchildren) and an 18-year old son, Sean, with Down Syndrome. Due to extreme problems with his son’s health and behavior at an early age, Mark’s family went “through the mill” in terms of pursuing numerous attempts at identifying effective educational, medical and mental health resources to meet his son’s needs. While his situation has improved over the years, challenging issues remain.
Professionally, Mark joined the Munroe-Meyer Institute (MMI) in January, 2003 as the Consumer/Family Coordinator. MMI serves the state of Nebraska as the University Center for Developmental Disabilities at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. In his position, Mark serves as a resource for people with disabilities and their families who are seeking support to meet their needs both individually and systemically.
Additionally, Mark advocates for the incorporation of the parent and consumer perspective in disability-related and chronic medical disorder activities at the local, state and national levels. Mark also participates in leadership roles in numerous Nebraska disability-based organizations including PTI-Nebraska, the Nebraska Early Development Network, and the Nebraska Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (NCCD), (a cross-disability coalition of organizations dedicated to legislative and policy analysis and initiatives.) Mark is frequently called on by local and national entities to participate in mental health and other disability policy analysis initiatives; for example, Mark is a member of the Grant Review Panel for the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and the Legislative Affairs Council for the Association of University Centers on Disability and the Division of Early Childhood for the Council for Exceptional Children. He also holds the MCH - LEND Family Faculty position at MMI, supervising and training Institute students in the areas of family-centered care, cultural competency, and public policy for these and other related programs.
Mark has worked extensively in the development of disability supports and services in Nebraska and nationally. For example, he served as a Co-chair of the Nebraska Interagency Coordinating Council during the implementation of Early Intervention services in Nebraska, and as a member the Federal Interagency Coordinating Council on Early Intervention through the Federal Department of Education. Most recently, he began serving as a member of the Lay Advocate Committee to the Heartland Regional Genetics and newborn Screening Collaborative as well as an advisor to the Nebraska State Family to Family Health Information Center.
Mark holds a Masters Degree in Educational Psychology through the University of Nebraska. He worked for a number of years as a School Psychologist and Behavior Intervention Specialist in a number of school districts in Eastern Nebraska and Western Iowa as well as private therapy and community service providers. He continues to provide these services through the Department of Psychology at MMI.
Pictures
 Sean, May 2006 |
|
 Sean with his two sisters |
My Story
Coming soon.
Links
Coming soon.