21 & Change Appoints Board Members Amy Armstrong and Colleen Baughn to Officer Positions
Tampa, Fla. (May 15, 2024) – 21 & Change’s President Michelle Richards and the Board of Directors unanimously voted at their monthly board meeting last month appointing Amy Armstrong as Vice President and Colleen Baughn as Secretary.
Richards said, “Amy’s input has been crucial for the board. Her expertise on IEP Advocacy has drastically improved how much we can help serve families in need. When you need a question answered, you go to Amy.”
Armstrong is a former ADA/504 Coordinator at IADT Online College and current Director of Tutoring. She has worked with both child and adult students with disabilities and parents on 504, IEP, and Student Support Plans to include their initiation and management.
Armstrong is a mother of a child with Autism and has personally felt the struggles of sending her child with special needs to a public school.
“As a mother with a child on the autism spectrum attending public school and a director at a large tutoring center in North Tampa, I see firsthand what a positive difference it makes when a child with special needs has a team of support working together both in and out of the classroom. My fellow Board Members at 21 & Change take great pride in helping Florida families find an expert on special education to add to their child’s team of support. I look forward to working with the board and the community in this new role as Vice President and together, growing the organization and supporting even more Florida families of children with Autism and Down Syndrome.”
21 & Change’s new Secretary, Colleen Baughn, has served on the Board of 21 and Change since 2021. Richards said, “Colleen has been one of the biggest assets to the board since taking on the role as point of contact for our IEP Advocate Network and receiving families. She has streamlined our application process for IEP scholarships, and it has helped us tremendously to expand our reach. As of April, we have helped families in 18 counties in Florida, a huge milestone for 21 & Change.”
As an occupational therapist, Baughn’s professional career has always focused on maximizing her client’s independence and now with her new position, she is incredibly grateful that she can play a bigger role in helping families in Florida become more successful in advocating for children with Autism and Down syndrome.”
“I feel so lucky to have found this organization. It aligns perfectly with my values to provide children and their families access to the support and services they need to reach their highest potential,” said Baughn.
21 & Change champions inclusion, education, and human rights for people with developmental disabilities. To learn more about 21 & Change or how to become a future sponsor, volunteer, or board member, please visit www.21andchange.org.
