Read the original Dec. 16 story on nj.com
Michele Adubato, the deputy executive director of The North Ward Center, was named to the Governor's Council for Medical Research and Treatment of Autism. Adubato, who has worked with children with special needs for nearly two decades, is spearheading The North Ward Center's efforts to create a Center for Autism to serve the autistic community in the Greater Newark area."I'm looking forward to serving on this important council," Adubato said. "I am particularly excited about highlighting the needs of children and families in the urban community."
Adubato began her career working with children with special needs in 1992 as a special education teacher at the Camden Street School in Newark.
In 1997, she joined the New Jersey Regional Day School, where she developed and administered educational initiatives that helped students with special needs transition from school to adulthood. The transition program was recognized by the State Department of Education as a model program for students with disabilities.
Adubato became the vice principal of NJRDS in September 2004, where she held extensive responsibilities, including supervision, curriculum leadership, school finance, parent and community affairs and continued to expand the transition program.
As deputy executive director, Adubato helps to run the day-to-day operations of The North Ward Center, a non-profit community development agency that operates a preschool for 680 children, an adult medical day care center for 120 clients a day, recreational programs for more than 3,000 children, a school for English-language learners as well as programs for families and Hispanic outreach. The North Ward Center also founded the nationally recognized Robert Treat Academy, a K-8 charter school with two campuses in Newark.
"We are happy that Michele will have a voice on the council," said Adrianne Davis, the executive director of The North Ward Center. "Michele brings a wealth of knowledge to the council and an energy and passion to all that she does."
Scheduled to open in the Fall of 2011, The Center for Autism will offer a seamless and lifelong array of services for individuals and families in the Greater Newark/Essex County area living with autism spectrum disorder and pervasive developmental disorders. The center will offer medical and educational services, including an elementary and secondary school. Other services will include interagency navigational guidance, benefits advocacy and coordination, and family support programming. The center will also serve as a hub for professional training.
Adubato holds two masters degrees, one in social work from Rutgers University-Newark and another in Educational Administration from Caldwell College.
Adubato was one of three New Jersey residents named to the panel by Gov. Jon Corzine. Also named to the council are Dr. Ketan Kansagra and Elizabeth K. Bell.
