Meet Our Support Coordinators

Mary Griggs has more than 25 years of experience coordinating services for persons with disabilities. She has been with Community Personnel Services, Inc., (CPS) for 16 years, starting as an Employment Specialist, promoted to Assistant Director in 2007, and in July 2018 appointed as Director. She holds a B.S. degree in Business Administration and is an approved New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) supervisor for Support Coordination. Prior to joining CPS, she spent years working on improving the lives of underserved families in New Jersey. Her advocacy focused on families and children with disabilities. Her volunteerism includes coordinating services for physically challenged young adults, organizing services for homeless shelters and serving on Covenant House New Jersey’s Board helping families and children with HIV. Her corporate experience included coordination of international security and medical services for employees and families worldwide. During her tenure with CPS she has watched the steady growth of quality services provided to students, families and clients. She credits this to the compassion and dedication of the staff. CPS has grown from initially providing services to 30 students to supporting more than 400!

“I take a person-centered approach when working with my clients and their families. My goal is to create a positive rapport and provide valuable resources within their communities to encourage personal, professional, academic, social, health- and wellness-related outcomes, so that they can be more independent.”

Andrea has a decade of experience at CPS and has worked in the field for 20 years. She holds a Master of Arts degree in Education with a Learning Disabilities Certification. Andrea has a love for animals and nature. She enjoys spending time with her husband, family, friends and her pet dog and cats. She enjoys karaoke, concerts, traveling and practicing Reiki. Her favorite quote is: “Be the change that you wish to see in the world,” by Mahatma Gandhi.

“I love being part of the CPS family, working alongside like-minded, compassionate caring people. It is deeply gratifying to see the individuals and families I work with thrive and work towards leading their most independent and fulfilling life.”

Cheryl Greene began working at CPS in 2014 as an Employment Specialist and in 2017 became a Support Coordinator. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Disorders and a Master of Arts degree in Special Education. Cheryl spent 11 years as a Teacher of the Speech and Hearing Handicapped working with a diverse special needs population in New York City and was a Resource Teacher for a decade in New Jersey public schools. In her free time, Cheryl enjoys traveling, cooking, and hiking, Peloton, attending sporting events and concerts with her husband and daughter and spending time with her big orange cat.

“Every day, I strive to maintain a positive demeanor and to emulate a wellness model in working with individual and their families.”

Kristin joined CPS as a Support Coordinator in 2018. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology/Concentration in Business Management from Fairleigh Dickson University. She earned a Masters of Social Work degree at Rutgers University. Kristin follows the Social Work Code of Ethics and has an extraordinary work ethic, compassion and empathy for clients and their families. She works to foster collaboration with outside providers, family members and community members to maintain continuity of care.

“I am able to offer a unique perspective as a mother with a son on the autism spectrum. I can relate with the hardships and triumphs that parents of special needs individuals go through on a daily basis.”

Marjorie began working at CPS as a Support Coordinator in 2022. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Therapeutic Recreation; an Associate of Arts Degree in Psychology; and a Culinary Arts Certificate. She began supporting individuals with special needs in college, working in a program that provided a two-year postsecondary experience for young adults. After graduation, she worked in a community-based adaptive recreation program. When not working, Marjorie likes to spend as much time as she can with her family, enjoys going on trips to the beach, gardening, cooking, baking, sewing, crocheting, and all kinds of arts and crafts. Her favorite quote is, “Life is an exciting business, and most exciting when it is lived for others,” by Helen Keller.

“I strongly believe that everyone deserves the same opportunities in life. My main goal is to assist and provide exceptional service to clients.”

Sheila started at CPS as a Job Coach, where she helped prepare students by identifying personal goals and developing skills to prepare for employment opportunities. She has previous experience as a Behavior Therapist, where she worked with children and showed them that they can learn and improve every day. Sheila was born and raised in Brazil and worked there as a journalist, learning to manage unexpected situations daily. Nowadays, she uses those investigative and communication skills to help clients find the best services to match their needs. Sheila is multilingual and able to assist and communicate with clients and families whose first language is Portuguese or Spanish. True to her Brazilian roots, Sheila loves the beach and being in nature; listening to music and dancing; joining good conversations; and celebrating life among family and friends. As an immigrant, Sheila learned how to make lemonade out of lemons and to maintain a smile and a positive mindset.

“What I love most about my role as a Supervisor at CPS is that I get to work daily with such a passionate and dedicated group of Support Coordinators. The staff is always willing to explore creative and inventive ways to support the dreams and wishes of the people that we serve. I love being a part of that process.”

Stephanie joined CPS with more than 20 years of experience working in vocational rehabilitation and supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She joined CPS in 2009 and worked as an Employment Specialist, Transition Specialist and Support Coordinator, prior to taking on the role of Support Coordination Supervisor in 2017. While she sometimes misses the opportunity to interact directly and frequently with individuals and their families, she relishes working collaboratively with such an inventive and passion staff. Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys time with her partner and two young adult children, who are her sun, moon and stars! She enjoys music and attending outdoor concerts, hiking, yoga, trips to the beach and outdoor dining.

“Above all, I am driven by a genuine desire to help others and make a positive impact in their lives. I believe in human connection, and I strive to build trusting relationships with the individuals and families I serve. I am committed to providing exceptional care and support. I enjoy making a difference.”

Lyndesia is a newcomer to CPS, but she has worked in the social services field for more than 13 years and has always felt a passion for helping others, in particular individuals with developmental, intellectual or physical disabilities. Previously, she was a Direct Support professional; vocational Support Manager; and an Assistant Executive Director. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Clinical Psychology and a Master of Arts degree in Business Administration. In her leisure, she enjoys cooking, traveling and spending time with friends and family.

“Working with people with disabilities has been a great, rewarding adventure, as I get to celebrate their successes and help them through the difficult times.”

Marisella has 15 years of experience working with individuals with disabilities. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology/Counseling from Montclair State University. Outside of the office, she enjoys vacationing with her family, the spa and outdoor running.

“I have always loved helping others, even as a teenager, and, wanted to work in Social Services, extending my empathy to others and positively affecting lives.”

Sara came to CPS in 2016 as a Job Coach and Transition Specialist and moved into Support Coordination in 2018. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Family and Child Studies, with a Concentration in Family Services and a Certification in Child Advocacy from Montclair State University in 2016. With a strong and unwavering compassion for individuals with differing abilities, Sara completed her Master of Arts degree in Social Work from Rutgers University in 2021. Sara regularly enjoys spending time with her son; exercising; socializing with friends and family, and participating in community service. Sara’s favorite quote to live by: “To know one life has breathed easier because you have lived, this is to have succeeded” by Ralph Waldo Emerson.

“The best part of my job is the interaction with clients and the satisfaction I receive from assisting them in accessing services that fulfill and enrich their lives.”

Elaine has been a Support Coordinator for the past seven years with extensive experience working with individuals with disabilities for the past 18 years. Prior to becoming a Support Coordinator, Elaine worked at CPS as a Transition Coordinator and Employment Specialist. Previously, she worked as an Assistant Director for a wellness and arts program that served people of all abilities, where she spearheaded numerous projects. Elaine created a teacher-training program that trained individuals with mobility disabilities to become yoga and meditation teachers. She also wrote grants and developed a world music program. In her free time, Elaine is a passionate outdoor enthusiast and a certified forest and nature therapy guide, a trained yoga teacher and a photographer/artist. She loves music, animals, poetry and anything that involves getting outdoors and appreciating this beautiful planet on which we live.