Brenda has extensive experience in parent training and leadership by serving on state, local and national advisory councils. She holds a Master's degree in Education and has 15 years of experience working with parents/families of children with disabilities.

Her belief is the best teaching experience is being the parent of a special-needs child and going through the process yourself. There is no book or course of study that prepares parents for real situations that you encounter at IEP meetings or just getting through the school day without waiting for the phone to ring.

Brenda has a young adult son with autism. Brenda believes the special education process should not be so difficult. She holds an unwavering belief that all children can learn and have the right to fully participate in their schools and communities. Parents with information and training have a better opportunity to make well-informed decisions which can assist their children in achieving outcomes from birth to post-secondary skills. Brenda states, "I want parents and families to know that WV PTI is here for them."

Cara Price is the West Virginia Parent Training & Information Family Engagement Specialist and trainer in Region 1. She is married and has three sons. She has had several children with foster care in her home over the years. Her youngest son was adopted from a kinship placement and has autism, sensory disorder, and Tourette's syndrome. Cara, personally, was diagnosed with CP early in her life and has gone through the special education process. 

Her educational background has an MA in school counseling and a BA in Elementary Education with a specialization in LD, MI, BD, and Autism. She has worked in public schools for 13 years. Her role as advocate has been vital for over 20 years in different areas of the poscess of special education.  She has been at home with her son to homeschool him for the last eight years and is helping parents educate children with special needs. Cara has and continues to be on councils of statewide organizations which support individuals with disabilites. Cara is a person that is for all children to do their best with a system that is supporting a child's needs. 

Her area includes the counties of Hancock, Brooke, Ohio, Marshall, Wetzel, Monongalia, Tyler, Marion,Taylor, Ritchie, Doddridge, Wirt, Harrison and part of Preston. Cara will be working with to help parents, guardians, foster parents and caregivers with special needs' children to advocate successfully for their children.

Hazel Manns is the Family Engagement Specialist for Region 2. She lives in Boone County with her family and her horses, which she one day hopes to make as therapy animals for special needs children. She is the parent of two sons, one of which that had his own special needs. She is educated in Early Childhood Development and trained in Autism and Special needs. She understands the struggle parents have to endure at times and wants to make a difference.  She loves spending time with family. Her 3-year-old granddaughter is the light of her life. 

Her favorite quote is ...” Always see the good in Everyone.”

Her area includes the counties of Logan, Fayette, Wyoming, Raleigh, Boone, Clay, Mercer, McDowell, Mingo, Lincoln, Wayne, Monroe, and Kanawha.

Tammy Taylor Lane is the WVPTI Family Engagement Specialist for Region 4. Tammy lives in Nicholas County with her husband, Robb, and mother Carolyn. Together, Tammy and Robb have six children, Caroline, Cody, Jacqueline, Josiah, Maddi, and Cassie along with a granddaughter, Laken. 

She is a graduate of Concord University and holds degrees in Education and Theater. She is currently completing a master's program in Family Life Education at Omega Graduate School in Tennessee. Tammy has taught at the Elementary School, during which time she has helped special needs children. 

Tammy is an advocate for the Multiple Sclerosis Society in research and development, as she was diagnosed with MS in 1996. She, also, is an advocate for the Parkinson's Disease association, Michael J. Fox Foundation.

Tammy loves to read and spend time with her family and five dogs (Bagel, Louie, Pepper, Eli, and Red Ryder). 

She is looking forward to assisting the families who have children/youth with special needs in Region 4.  

Mary Scott is the WVPTI Administrative Assistant. Mary has experience working with children with disabilities and has a family member who has struggled in life with disabilities. Education should not be a struggle for a child with needs. Mary’s personal family experience has inspired her to advocate and assist others who may need help.

Mary has Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree in Education. She has assisted parents and families who have children with disabilities to gain assistance in the educational system for over thirty years. Now, she is helping children and youth who have disabilities find resources and advocates for their needs by working at WVPTI, Inc. Mary has always believed that it is not the disability that defines you; it is how you deal with the challenges the disability presents to you.