Hi, my name is Marie Fraticelli.  I originally hail from Staten Island New York until my parents decided to move our family to Charlottesville Virginia when I was 15 years old.  Still reeling from culture shock, several years later, I abandoned a higher education and started working.  My first job was with the Arthritis Foundation and through that work I made friends with the cleaning crew that was receiving supported employment services through the sheltered workshop within the same building I worked in. 

Through those connections it was suggested that I apply for a job at the local group home that was run by the Region Ten Community Services Board.  That started a career path that lasted thirty years.  During that time, I was educated in, and lived through the Development Disability Services transformation in the Commonwealth of Virginia.  I worked eleven years in group homes in various roles and another 14 years as a DD case manager, and the most rewarding role was working with parents and individuals as a liaison with Central Virginia Training Center and Region Ten during the shutdown of the Training Centers in Virginia. 

As the requirements for employees working with individuals with Developmental Disabilities changed it was clear that I should move forward with formalizing my education.  Since I had been in this field and loved it, this was an easy decision to make.  I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in healthcare administration and a minor in Marketing from Mary Baldwin University at 48 years old.  Next was a Master of Art in Human Services from Liberty University when I was 50 years old. 

Shortly after graduating, I applied for and secured a position with the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services.  I have been working with the Office of Community Housing since 2016.  I work with a dynamic team, who are all dedicated to helping individuals with Developmental Disabilities as well as individuals with Behavioral Health needs by providing housing subsidies and working to generate more affordable options in their communities. 

During my time at Region Ten Community Services Board, I made several friends, was passionate about serving people with DD and due to several personal connections, I have the life I live currently.  The value that this work has had in my personal life cannot be understated.  I met my husband and my three stepdaughters through a coworker. Mike and I ended up marrying and we had three boys in rapid succession.  We now enjoy our 7+ grandchildren regularly and look forward to our big family events. 

As a champion of inclusion in our world of people whose opinions and preferences are typically discounted or undervalued.  I want people to have confidence in who they are and to have a say in how they live their lives.