Meet the Co-Founders - Exceptional Needs Programs

Meet the Co-Founders

Karen Francois-Duncombe

Karen Francois-Duncombe

OTD, OTR/L

  • Occupational therapist serving pediatric populations since 2000 in NYC school systems.
  • Karen's doctoral thesis examined special needs programming in churches and presented substantial research demonstrating the overwhelming need for support, guidance, training, and programming in the vast majority of churches nationwide.
  • Karen brought her experience to her home church, where she established its first special needs program. Within the first six months, the program grew to serve 29 children from both member families and the surrounding community.
Tim Cassidy

Tim Cassidy

Co-Founder

  • Decades of leadership in healthcare, senior housing, and nonprofit program development.
  • Co-founder of Preventive Aging Centers, Inc., offering lifelong learning, healthcare screenings, and intergenerational programs nationwide.
  • Long history of advocacy for underserved populations, including nursing home residents, affordable housing, and families raising children with special needs.

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