Renée Soniat*
Co-Director of the Family to Family Network of Virginia
Richmond-Regional Network Coordinator Center for Family Involvement
804-828-9580
Bio:
Originally from Rochester, NY. My family is my greatest joy. I love walking my doodles and balancing a good murder podcast with a lighthearted romance novel. Proud Google nerd.
Professional Experience:
Renée has over 25 years of professional experience serving people of all ages with disabilities in various capacities. She has served as a direct support provider and manager in residential and day support settings and as a support coordinator for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Renée currently serves as the statewide Co-Director of the Family to Family Network of Virginia, at the Partnership for People with Disabilities, through Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).
Partnership Projects:
- Recently completed the iCAN - Supporting Survivors with Disabilities ECHO series
- I have successfully led the planning of the Connect for Success Symposium, an event bringing together professionals from parent-led programs and organizations, since 2019 (current)
- Member of the Virginia Family Engagement Network, currently participating on the Transition sub-committee
- Facilitate the Central VA Individual and Family Support Program Council activities (current)
- PPD Health Content Committee member (current)
- Member of the Arc of Virginia Public Awareness Campaign Advisory Group (past)
- PPD Sunshine Committee (past)
- Parent to Parent USA Communications and Outreach Committee Member (past)
- Leadership Institute planning committee member (past).
Expertise Areas:
- Sexual Abuse Prevention
- DD Waivers, Autism
- Support Coordination
- Contemplative Practices/Mindfulness
- Relationship Building/Strengthening
- Data Visualization
- Faith inclusion
- Encopresis
- ADD/ADHD
- Anxiety
Research Interests:
Sexual abuse prevention for people with disabilities, trauma-informed contemplative practices for caregivers
Education:
- State University of New York at Cortland, B.S.Ed. in Recreation Education; concentration in Therapeutic Recreation.
- Currently pursuing a Master of Science degree in Digital Sociology at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Certifications and Licensure:
- Innovation with LEGO Serious Play (VCU)
- Introduction to Design Thinking (VCU)
- Person Centered Thinking
- Charting the Lifecourse Ambassador
Professional Affiliations:
- Alpha Kappa Delta International Sociology Honor Society
- Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Society in Social Sciences