Meet Independent Brokers
Our Services at Starting Point Services: Support Brokerage Services
This page was created to provide Self-Direction participants and Care Managers with access to independent support brokers who are experienced, college-educated, and who meet all required OPWDD training standards. These support brokers can assist families in understanding their children's educational rights and navigating the education system effectively, particularly in relation to IEP support.
The support brokers listed do not have any legal or contractual affiliation with Starting Point Services. However, all listed brokers share the following qualities: personal experience supporting a family member with a developmental disability, strong professional work ethics, and educational backgrounds that exceed the minimum requirements established by OPWDD.
Additionally, the listed brokers actively network and collaborate with one another to best meet the individualized needs of the participants they support. All listed support brokers are currently accepting cases.
Yobana Guzman, B.A., Psychology
Clara Liriano, M.S., Early Childhood Special Education
Clara Liriano, M.S., Early Childhood Special Education
Support Broker serving Regions 3, 4, & 5. Bilingual Spanish speaker offering flexible scheduling. Tel: 347-671-3143 Email: yobanaguzman38@gmail.com. With over 11 years of experience in supporting individuals with developmental disabilities, she specializes in navigating the education system to advocate for children's educational rights. H
Support Broker serving Regions 3, 4, & 5. Bilingual Spanish speaker offering flexible scheduling. Tel: 347-671-3143 Email: yobanaguzman38@gmail.com. With over 11 years of experience in supporting individuals with developmental disabilities, she specializes in navigating the education system to advocate for children's educational rights. Her expertise includes Home Care, Early Intervention, and Special Education, where she provides IEP support. She works collaboratively with Care Managers, CCOs, Fiscal Intermediaries, and families to ensure person-centered planning and effective use of OPWDD services. Known for her clear communication and follow-through, she helps participants navigate self-direction while also supporting smooth coordination and reducing the administrative burden for Care Managers.
Clara Liriano, M.S., Early Childhood Special Education
Clara Liriano, M.S., Early Childhood Special Education
Clara Liriano, M.S., Early Childhood Special Education
Support Broker serving Regions 3, 4, & 5. Bilingual in Spanish with flexible scheduling. Tel: 718-708-1668 Email: Cliriano@spsei.com. Experience: With over 20 years of experience supporting individuals with developmental disabilities, this professional has a strong emphasis on OPWDD Self-Direction. As a NYS-certified Special Education Tea
Support Broker serving Regions 3, 4, & 5. Bilingual in Spanish with flexible scheduling. Tel: 718-708-1668 Email: Cliriano@spsei.com. Experience: With over 20 years of experience supporting individuals with developmental disabilities, this professional has a strong emphasis on OPWDD Self-Direction. As a NYS-certified Special Education Teacher and SDMNY Facilitator, she utilizes a person-centered, systems-level approach to Support Brokerage. She collaborates closely with Care Managers, Fiscal Intermediaries, and families to enhance informed decision-making, service coordination, and the effective use of self-direction budgets. Additionally, she provides Special Education Advocacy services, assisting families in navigating the education system and understanding children's educational rights, particularly during transitions that affect OPWDD planning and IEP support.
Kristina Perez, BA Business Administration, CASAC T
Clara Liriano, M.S., Early Childhood Special Education
Amanda Rodriguez, BA Organizational Management, AA Business
Support Broker serving Region 4. Flexible scheduling. Tel: 347-932-6084. Email: Kristina.sdbroker@gmail.com. Experience: Over 10 years in health and social services, including providing Support Broker services. She has worked with elderly individuals, young adults, teens, and children with developmental and mental health disabilities, inc
Support Broker serving Region 4. Flexible scheduling. Tel: 347-932-6084. Email: Kristina.sdbroker@gmail.com. Experience: Over 10 years in health and social services, including providing Support Broker services. She has worked with elderly individuals, young adults, teens, and children with developmental and mental health disabilities, including those who are dually diagnosed and affected by substance use disorders and HIV/AIDS. Kristina is dedicated to advocating for children's educational rights and offers expertise in education system navigation and IEP support. She employs a person-centered, trauma-informed approach and collaborates closely with families, Care Managers, and service providers to ensure coordinated, effective service planning and optimal use of OPWDD services.
Amanda Rodriguez, BA Organizational Management, AA Business
Amanda Rodriguez, BA Organizational Management, AA Business
Amanda Rodriguez, BA Organizational Management, AA Business
Support Broker
Flexible scheduling
Tel: 845-200-8552
Email: HVSS.AmandaRodriguez@outlook.com
Experience: With over 20 years of experience in supporting families with developmental disabilities, I specialize in children's educational rights, helping navigate the education system, and providing IEP support.
Shannon Hargrove, Master Degree, Career Development
Amanda Rodriguez, BA Organizational Management, AA Business
Shannon Hargrove, Master Degree, Career Development
Support Broker serving Region 3 & 4
Flexible scheduling
Tel: 914-393-6004
Email: selfdirectny.shannon@gmail.com
Experience: As a mother of a child receiving self-direction, I am well-versed in children's educational rights and can assist families with education system navigation and IEP support.
Arooj Mahmood, Associates Degree, Accounting
Amanda Rodriguez, BA Organizational Management, AA Business
Shannon Hargrove, Master Degree, Career Development
Support Broker serving Region 3, 4, & 5, specializing in children's educational rights and education system navigation. Bilingual in Urdu, Hindi, and Punjabi, I offer flexible scheduling to assist families in accessing IEP support. For inquiries, please call 845-300-2141 or email Aroojmahmoodkh@gmail.com. I have personal experience as a mother of a child receiving self-direction.
Marina Berisha, BA, Health Sciences, Associates, Business Management
Marina Berisha, BA, Health Sciences, Associates, Business Management
Marina Berisha, BA, Health Sciences, Associates, Business Management
Support Broker serving Region 3 & 4, specializing in children's educational rights and education system navigation. Bilingual: Albanian. Flexible scheduling available. Tel: 917-318-8781. Email: Berishamarina8@gmail.com. Experience includes being a mother of a child receiving self-direction and IEP support.
Teresa Mclyntyre, BA, Business Management
Marina Berisha, BA, Health Sciences, Associates, Business Management
Marina Berisha, BA, Health Sciences, Associates, Business Management
Support Broker serving Region 4 & 5
Flexible scheduling
to assist families in understanding children's educational rights and navigating the education system.
Tel: 657-260-5257
Email: TMcIntyre@Bamability.com.
Experience: Mother of an adult child receiving self-direction and knowledgeable about IEP support.
Ron Kort, New York State Attorney
Marina Berisha, BA, Health Sciences, Associates, Business Management
Kristine M. Santangelo, Masters in Spanish Education, Grades 7-12
Support Broker serving Region 4 & 5 Flexible scheduling
Tel: 516-353-5296
Email: ron@adaptmyaccess.com.
Experience: Licensed attorney in New York State specializing in disability discrimination and civil rights. As a Self-Direction participant, he brings lived experience to his Support Broker work. He is committed to empowering individuals
Support Broker serving Region 4 & 5 Flexible scheduling
Tel: 516-353-5296
Email: ron@adaptmyaccess.com.
Experience: Licensed attorney in New York State specializing in disability discrimination and civil rights. As a Self-Direction participant, he brings lived experience to his Support Broker work. He is committed to empowering individuals to access resources, navigate the education system, and understand children's educational rights, including IEP support. His goal is to help individuals utilize self-direction to achieve their goals and live fulfilling, independent lives.
Kristine M. Santangelo, Masters in Spanish Education, Grades 7-12
Kristine M. Santangelo, Masters in Spanish Education, Grades 7-12
Kristine M. Santangelo, Masters in Spanish Education, Grades 7-12
Support Broker serving Region 3 with flexible scheduling and bilingual Spanish services. Contact: Tel: 716-254-8331, Email: kristinesantangelo@outlook.com. With over 11 years of experience providing support to individuals navigating OPWDD services, including IEP support and roles as a Fiscal Intermediary Representative and Workforce Devel
Support Broker serving Region 3 with flexible scheduling and bilingual Spanish services. Contact: Tel: 716-254-8331, Email: kristinesantangelo@outlook.com. With over 11 years of experience providing support to individuals navigating OPWDD services, including IEP support and roles as a Fiscal Intermediary Representative and Workforce Development Coordinator, she possesses a deep understanding of children's educational rights. Additionally, she offers invaluable personal insight by providing support brokerage services for her own child, which enhances her perspective on service coordination and education system navigation.