Maria Schiavello

Maria Schiavello serves as a Training and Consultation specialist for the Community Living Education Project (CLEP) providing information resources and supports to individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) and to families that are transitioning from their education entitlement to the adult services with the New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD).

Maria came to CLEP with 12 years’ experience as a Support Coordinator, spending the last 9 years as a Support Coordinator supervisor. Maria is trained and certified in Person- Centered Thinking and Planning, a philosophy and process enabling people with I/DD to plan and create their ideal lives including their hopes and dreams for the future. Maria has worked side-by-side with individuals, families, providers, and DDD partners across New Jersey counties. Maria worked with and trained her team of Support Coordinators in the first fee for service system, known as Real Life Choices (RLC), to the current DDD Self-Directed Fee for Service System.

Maria’s vast knowledge and experience come from her many years working to connect individuals with the resources, services and supports necessary to create a full healthy happy and safe life as well as being a contributing members of their community.

Maria’s lived experience is defined by her ongoing commitment to individuals and their families. Maria and her husband are the parents of three adult children and grandparents to seven precious grandchildren. In her spare time, Maria enjoys gardening, cooking, and traveling with her husband.