Andrew Spencer is a Special Education Coordinator with Fort Worth ISD, bringing over 20 years of experience in special education and transition services. Throughout his career, he has served at multiple campuses across Fort Worth, building strong relationships with students and families and advocating for inclusive education and community engagement.

Andrew holds Texas Educator Certifications in Special Education and as a Principal as Instructional Leader. He is passionate about connecting families in Fort Worth and Tarrant County with the services and supports they need to thrive.

His leadership focuses on helping families navigate complex systems and access vital resources.

In addition to his professional and board work, Andrew volunteers with Sleep in Heavenly Peace, an organization that builds and delivers beds to children in need.

​Driven by a deep belief in human potential, Andrew is committed to creating pathways for success and independence for individuals with disabilities.

JPS Health Network

Amanda Cobb is the System Director of Family Leadership and Voice with My Health My Resouces of Tarrant County. She is also the staff liaison for the Help Me Grow and Help Me Thrive North Texas Family Advisory Council. Amanda helps lead the efforts of the Family Advisory Council to ensure family voice is heard and is at the center of all of the work of Help Me Grow and Help Me Thrive. Amanda worked in public education for twenty-one years prior, both as a classroom teacher and administrator. Outside of her professional roles, Amanda is a wife and a mother of medically fragile identical twin boys. She is able to relate and lead others through her passion for advocacy and lived experience.

Dr. Yvette M. Wingate, Ed.D., has dedicated over 30 years to advancing health and equity in Tarrant County, leading initiatives such as the county’s first Public Health Community Health Assessments and Improvement Plans. As Manager of the Community Health Assessment Division, she champions strategic planning, health equity, and community engagement, while serving on numerous boards and coalitions. A recognized leader and two-time fellowship participant, she believes small, insightful steps create transformational change and remains devoted to her faith, family, and the well-being of her community.

Joseph Barbarito has over 23 years of experience in the sports and entertainment industry, with leadership roles at the Toledo Mud Hens, Texas Motor Speedway, Dallas Wings, iFly, and ClubCorp. Since 2021, he has been with Behavioral Innovations, working to raise awareness of autism and ABA therapy while connecting families to essential resources.

His background spans business development, fundraising, social media, and sponsorship, with a proven record of driving sales growth and earning recognition such as Salesperson of the Year (Texas Motor Speedway) and Physician Liaison of the Year (Behavioral Innovations).

Joseph has served as Corporate Development Chair for the Autism Speaks Fort Worth Walk and volunteers as a youth baseball coach. He holds degrees from SUNY Cortland (B.A.) and Ohio University (M.A.). His leadership philosophy emphasizes empathy, trust, and team well-being, and he is dedicated to expanding the impact of the IDD Council.

Audra Ressel is a long-serving IDD Council board member, known for her strong commitment to helping people with disabilities achieve their employment goals. With over 18 years of experience in disability employment services, she has been instrumental in creating and growing the CAPEabilities Job Fair.

She works for the Texas Workforce Commission-Vocational Rehabilitation Division as a Systems Analyst, focusing on lean processes, staff training, and data integrity. Her work supports efficient services for individuals with disabilities.

Audra holds a Master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of North Texas and is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. She is also actively involved in disability advocacy through her community and church.

A dedicated leader, Audra brings passion, collaboration, and innovation to her role, helping guide the IDD Council toward a stronger future.

Stephanie Stone is a Senior Outreach Counselor and Community Health Worker with Maximus, where she has supported Medicaid enrollment for the past seven years. She specializes in Long-Term Supports & Services and represents programs including STAR KIDS, Texas Health Steps, and STAR+PLUS across eight Texas counties.

Stephanie has over 20 years of experience in social services, advocating for children and families through roles in the Arkansas Foster Care System and utilizing the strengthening families model. She holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Central Arkansas and a Master of Arts from Webster University.

Her professional mission is to promote the health and well-being of both clients and colleagues. Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys writing, research, and spending time with her two favorite people—her daughter and son.

Courtney Carraway spent 18 years in education as a classroom teacher and in administration as a 504 and Special Education Coordinator at a charter school in South Dallas before making a bold pivot into nonprofit work - an unexpected change that has become her true calling.

Courtney currently serves as Director of Workforce Development - Vocational Rehabilitation at Goodwill North Central Texas, where she is dedicated to empowering individuals through education, training, and meaningful community connections. She holds a Master of Education in Early Childhood Education and Teaching from Hunter College and a Bachelor of Arts in Literature and Theater from East Texas A&M University.

Known for her enthusiasm, thoughtfulness, and diligence, Courtney believes that strong community ties are key to sustainable growth. She brings creativity and fun to her leadership style - whether through puzzles or team-building board games - always keeping people at the center of their work.

Bryan is a licensed paramedic with 25 years of service and a workforce development and healthcare education professional. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Emergency Management Administration from West Texas A&M University and a Master of Science in Management and Leadership from Western Governors University. He serves on the City of Fort Worth Community Action Partners Advisory Board and the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Council of Tarrant County.

At Tarrant County College, he leads experiential learning programs, builds employer partnerships, and teaches Health Professions courses.

Bryan is dedicated to serving the community and is continuously seeking opportunities to help others while advancing community engagement, fostering collaboration, and driving innovative solutions.

Gabrielle is a passionate advocate for individuals with disabilities, with a proven track record of helping them achieve their employment and life aspirations. As the Regional Program Improvement Specialist and Neurodevelopmental Team Lead for the Texas Workforce Commission - Vocational Rehabilitation Division (DFW/Texoma Region), she plays a critical role in ensuring efficient and effective services for individuals with disabilities and supporting staff in delivering excellent services. Her expertise encompasses data integrity, policy, staff training, and program improvement. Gabrielle holds a Master's in Rehabilitation Counseling from the University of North Texas, is a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, and is actively involved in disability advocacy in her community. Prior to her role with the Texas Workforce Commission, she worked in IDD services at Denton County MHMR. She is also a mother to a child with autism and IDD, bringing a unique perspective and personal insight to her work.

Dr. Kerri Staples, Ph.D., serves on the IDD Council of Tarrant County and is an Assistant Professor at Texas Woman’s University in the School of Health Promotion and Kinesiology. With nearly 30 years of experience supporting autistic children and individuals with intellectual disabilities, her research focuses on improving health and quality of life through movement, physical activity. She teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in motor development, integrating atypical development throughout her teaching, and supports TWU’s hands-on Adapted Physical Activity practicum. As a Certified Trainer in Road to Recovery, she uses trauma-informed practices to support children with IDD by fostering positive behaviors, teaching skill-based strategies, and promoting overall well-being

Guided by a belief in strong, supportive communities, Dr. Staples is dedicated to creating inclusive environments where individuals with disabilities—and those who work with them—can thrive.

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Renae has been a Licensed Master Social Worker since 2002, with experience in school social work, mentoring, and, for the past nine years, medical social work. At Cook Children’s Health Plan, she supports children’s Medicaid recipients as they transition to adult care and serves as co-chair of the IDD Council’s Transition Committee. This is her first time serving on a board, and she is proud to have helped bring on a social work intern to support the Council’s work. She hopes to expand internship opportunities and strengthen the Council’s presence in the community to reach and support more individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Her areas of expertise include transition to adulthood, peer development, and service coordination. She also volunteers as a small group leader for teenagers in her church’s youth group.

She believes in breaking down silos within disability support services and using collaboration to expand the reach and impact of available resources.

Rita Stevenson has led the IDD Council of Tarrant County as Executive Director since 2015, driving its growth and advocacy for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). A proud TCU graduate, she previously served Tarrant County for a decade, supporting local leadership.

Rita brings both professional insight and personal experience as a mother of five and grandmother of seven, including a grandchild with autism. She’s passionate about empowering families and building inclusive communities. Outside of work, she enjoys camping, crafting, and spending time with her husband and three dogs

In loving memory of Bill Eaton. Bill dedicated his life to helping individuals with disabilities live fully and with dignity, whether through his advocacy, his mission trips to Mexico delivering wheelchairs, or simply by bringing joy with balloon animals to children in orphanages. His passions were many, but none greater than his children, Samantha and Toby, whom he cheered on in every game, race, and milestone.

To know Bill was to have a steadfast friend, a tireless supporter, and a reminder of the power of compassion in action. Though he has joined his parents, Jim and Rose, and his brother Jimmy in rest, his legacy lives on in his children, grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews, great-niece and great-nephew, and in the countless lives he touched. Our world is brighter because he was here, and though we mourn his passing, we celebrate the extraordinary gift of his life.