Press Release  MDDC Welcomes New Council Member Cynthia Laine

Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council — Boston, MA (January 2022) – Governor Charles D. Baker has appointed Cynthia Laine as citizen member of the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council.

Cynthia resides in Fitchburg, MA and is a mom of 4 boys, two of whom are diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Cynthia notes that no instruction manual comes with the diagnosis. Supporting both a verbal and non-verbal child on the spectrum is very challenging, as many ASD parents know. Cynthia learned about the service system through other parents, Mass Families and through advocacy for her two sons.

Cynthia is a graduate of Johnson and Wales University with an Associate’s degree in Travel and Tourism and a Bachelor’s degree in hospitality management. She currently works as a financial coach, educating families on how to better manage their finances, and as a Haitian creole interpreter and translator.

Cynthia is also a Charting Life Course Ambassador and a member of the Inaugural Advisory Board for the Massachusetts Association of Haitian Parents. She dedicates herself to advocating for children who have no voice and enjoys sharing resources with other parents so their children can thrive. Cynthia loves talking about her experiences with the parents she meets, especially those who are new to the diagnosis of their children.

“Cynthia’s appointment is a recognition of her tireless work on behalf of people with developmental disabilities”, said Daniel Shannon, MDDC Executive Director. “Her connection with the Haitian community and dedication to helping families will be invaluable to the Council as we work to strengthen our community connections.”

About the Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council – The Massachusetts Developmental Disabilities Council (MDDC) is an independent agency funded by the federal government to work with the state of Massachusetts to better support people with developmental disabilities and their families. MDDC’s mission is to help people with developmental disabilities have opportunities to lead successful lives in their communities; by supporting inclusive education, greater employment opportunities, and the right to make choices about where, with whom, and how they live. For more information contact Adelia DelTrecco at adelia.deltrecco@mass.gov 

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