"How the pandemic is impacting
school-aged children & teens "
Thursday, March 18, 2021 - 7 p.m.
​
​
​
​
​
​
Click here for links to the organizations and resources mentioned in the webinar.
Panelists Ronald Handelman, Ph.D., School Psychologist, North Rockland Central School District; Jessica M. Large, MA, Ed.S, LPC, ACS, Center for Evaluation and Counseling; and Holly Dinneny, Community Engagement & Outreach Coordinator, Family Partners of Morris and Sussex Counties, a Family Support Organization, discussed challenges faced by students and their families during these very stressful times. They offered strategies and actions that families and individuals can take, even if they do not have school-aged children. There was a question and answer period following speaker presentations.
​
Meet Our Panel
​
Ron Handelman has been a NY state school psychologist for 28 years and a NJ licensed psychologist since 1999. He received his doctorate in educational psychology from the City University of New York (CUNY-Graduate Center) and his school psychology certification from Queen College. He grew up in Jamaica, Queens, and as an undergraduate at Cornell University, he studied secondary science education, specifically biology and earth science.
In addition to working for the North Rockland Central School District, performing psychological assessments, counseling, teacher and parent consultations, planning individual educational programs (IEPs), and crisis intervention, he does psychological counseling in his hometown of Montclair, NJ with the Institute for Change since 2001. He works with children and adults; areas of focus include ADHD, anxiety and mood disorders, behavioral problems, parenting concerns, and educational difficulties.
A proud and active father of three daughters in their 20s, Ron is an advocate of getting outdoors with his family; whether it's biking, skiing, softball, tennis, or throwing the frisbee. Summers are spent at Willow Lake Day Camp in Lake Hopatcong, NJ as a Unit Leader, and Ron has been a leader in camping since becoming a counselor in 1980 at Camp Hader in Clinton Connecticut. Ron has taught graduate courses in research methods, special education, and classroom management through CUNY-City College, College of New Rochelle, and CUNY-Queens College.
​
Jessica Large MA, Ed.S, LPC, ACS is both a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and an Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS) in the State of New Jersey. She graduated from Seton Hall University with a Master of Arts (MA) degree in Counseling and Psychological Studies and an Educational Specialist (Ed.S) degree in Mental Health Counseling. Jessica has extensive education, training, and experience in the areas of child abuse and neglect, trauma, severe and persistent mental illness, co-occurring disorders, and forensic assessments. Jessica has been employed by the Center for Evaluation and Counseling, Inc. (CEC) since 2010. She conducts forensic evaluations and provides treatment for children and families who are involved in the Child Protective Services’ system. Jessica is also the Coordinator of Outpatient Services for CEC. Jessica has also been qualified as an expert in the areas of child abuse and neglect, risk assessments, and child sexual abuse by the New Jersey Family Court in various counties. Jessica completed the Evidence-Based Assessment Training Project and has been trained and certified in the Strengths and Needs Assessment through the Children’s System of Care in New Jersey. Jessica has also been trained in the Nurtured Heart Approach and has been certified in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. In addition, Jessica is a member of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC) and serves on two different policy committees. She is also a member of the New Jersey Counseling Association (NJCA). Jessica has been a member of the Sussex County Traumatic Loss Coalition (TLC) since 2017 and in 2019, became the Coordinator for the TLC in Sussex County. Outside of work, Jessica enjoys cooking, gardening, reading, and glamping!
​
Holly Dinneny is Community Engagement & Outreach Coordinator for Family Partners of Morris & Sussex Counties (FPMS), Certified Family Support Partner, and Certified Nurtured Heart Trainer & Coach.
​
Holly is a high-energy, experienced professional with a passion for facilitating connections between people, resources, and unrealized potential. She is a big proponent of focusing on what we have in common versus how we are different and seeks to help minimize and eliminate the isolation that comes from loving a family member with mental health, emotional, learning, or developmental challenges. In her words, “We each have our own journey, but there is no reason we need to go it alone!”
With a background in not-for-profit management, public relations, support group facilitation, and lived experience loving individuals challenged in mental health and learning differences, Holly embraces the FPMS mission that is centered on providing support, education, and hope to families navigating difficult times.
One of Holly’s favorite quotes is, “One day you will tell your story of how you’ve overcome what you are going through now and it will become part of someone else’s survival guide.”
Holly remains forever grateful to the people in her life who have walked with her on her own journey, supporting her and helping her feel not-so-alone while learning how to grow and mature as a parent. It is only natural to want to turn and help others do the same!
​
​
​