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Experience That Serves Students, Families, and the Community
Experience That Serves Students, Families, and the Community
Years of state level leadership paired with hands on community service bring both big picture perspective and local understanding.
State Leadership
State Leadership
Coalition for Expanding School Based Mental Health
2021 - present
The coalition's goal is to advocate and advance expanded comprehensive mental health initiatives in schools around the state. Currently serving as the secretary of the coalition, Heather’s role is to help bridge the gap between families, schools, and mental health providers. She was interviewed for a podcast series on family engagement, which can be found online under Episode 8.
Wisconsin Office of Children’s Mental Health
Lived Experience Partner
2021 - 2025
By partnering with professionals, legislators, and those with lived experience, the Office of Children’s Mental Health promotes awareness and education around youth mental health, and supports systemic improvements for the betterment of youth mental health and wellbeing.
Highlights of her work include partnering with others from around Wisconsin to recommend strategies and initiatives to improve mental health awareness and resources across the state; contributing to statewide publications, including one on mental health and children with disabilities; speaking as a panelist at OCMH's Annual Summit on the retaliation we face when speaking up - for ourselves, for others, and for systemic change; and attending a celebration of Children's Mental Health at the Governor's Mansion.
Community & Volunteer Experience
School Funding
Heather has long seen the financial challenges our public schools face across Wisconsin. When she moved to Wauwatosa, she became involved to educate the community early, before reaching a fiscal cliff.
In early 2023, Heather worked with the Superintendent of Wauwatosa Schools, the WI Parent Teacher Association, and the Department of Public Instruction to bring an informative and engaging presentation to residents of Wauwatosa and the surrounding area.
Since then, she has served on the 2075 Taskforce, and gave an interview to TMJ4 News about school funding.
Equity & Access
Wauwatosa Commission for Persons with Disabilities
Contributed to the commissions walk in the Wauwatosa 4th of July parade, which included the addition of a sensory friendly zone at the end of the parade for children and adults with sensitivities related to sound and light.
Assisted in fostering connections between the commission and Wauwatosa Police Department
Participated in discussions around isolation and loneliness with the Wauwatosa Health Department, and provided education and resources to the health department around neurodiversity.
Special Education audit
Advocated for an audit of special education services in Wauwatosa; assisted in forming a family advisory committee, which is now the LEADERS Group.
Resource Fairs
2023 - Partnered with three other parents and the PTA Council to host our first resource fair for students with disabilities. Hosted at Underwood Elementary School, the event was a huge success! Heather was asked to do the event again the following year, this time with support from the Wauwatosa School District.
In 2024, Heather expanded the event to include resources for economically disadvantaged families, LGBTQ, and nonwhite students, in addition to mental health resources, substance abuse education and resources, public transportation options, and more.
Community Closet
Beginning in 2022, Longfellow Middle School has housed a closet with clothing, winter gear, household and personal care items for students and families in need. Heather assisted with the launch, and took over as the liaison from 2023-2025. Working with the Wauwatosa School District, social workers from the City of Wauwatosa, and the PTA Council, she spread awareness and helped find resources to support our students most basic needs so they could focus on learning.
Food for students
Working with staff and the PTA, Heather led initiatives to bring healthy snacks into Longfellow for all students.
Donations of fresh fruit, granola bars, and monetary donations from local businesses helped keep our kids fed and focused.
Once a week, Heather picked up a donation of leftover food from Panera Bread at Mayfair and took it to Longfellow for students and staff. This continued until Panera closed at Mayfair in 2025.
Safety
Served on the districts' External Safety Committee
Reviewed policies and provided suggestions and insights to ensure the language was clear and understandable for families.
Provided insight on how to best communicate with families on safety related matters.
Mental Health
Worked with the Wilson/WSTEM PTSA and school social worker to bring coffee chats to the school. A time for families to connect, learn about various mental health related topics, how students are supported in school and what they can do at home.
Sensory kits were also provided for students to take home as needed.
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