Emigrated from Quebec, Canada in 1963. Graduated from San Jose State with business degree in 1976. Worked in bank management and aerospace, prior to birth of child. Only child, Charlie born with diagnosis of Severe Congenital Hydrocephalus in 1990. Husband, Leslie, a civil engineer, works as a Senior Project Manager in the construction industry.  His work took our family to homes in Bakersfield and Tracy, during Charlie's toddler years.  When son could not learn to walk, placed him in local group home.  Debbie then returned to work in banking and other business fields, but soon discovered her true interest now lay in mentoring other families with special needs children.  Debbie began her Parent Liaison career with PHP in February, 2000.  She soon found herself drawing upon her business acumen, as well as her ten years' experience as "Charlie's Mom", to gain acceptance as part of the network of medical professionals at four PHP hospital satellite FRCs.  Debbie continues to enjoy her work as a PL at PHP's sole remaining satellite, at Kaiser Santa Teresa. She also volunteers as a Mentor Parent for PHP and the Hydrocephalus Association, as well as singing with San Jose Symphonic Choir.

Assistive Technology Specialist and Director of the iTECH Center at Parents Helping Parents, Janet is responsible for leading the iTECH team to attain its mission – helping people of all abilities, ages and without regard to financial means, find the technologies that will allow them to fulfill their potential. She holds a B.A. degree from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a paralegal certificate from West Valley College. She received her Assistive Technology certification from the Research Institute of Assistive Technology and Training in 2000, and prior to her position as Director worked for 3 years as an assistive technology information and referral specialist for the State of California.

Janet is fluent in Spanish and has spent many years working extensively with the special needs population, including managing a special needs soccer team and working hands-on with students in the school setting. Her areas of interest include special education law as it relates to assistive technology, and technology related to learning disabilities and autism. Her son, Daniel, who is 14 and has autism, is the driving force behind her mission to educate the public about the potential of assistive technology. In her spare time, Janet enjoys playing flute in the Saratoga Community Band.

• 2006-07 Advisory Board Member, Warmenhoven Institute for Inclusion
• Current Advisory Board Member, Institute for Health Care Improvement
• 2004-05 Advisory Board Member, S.C.C. Public Authority In Home Support Services
• 2001-2003 Community Advisory Committee, Moreland School District
• 1990 Interchange, Santa Clara County Early Intervention Advisory Board Member

In her spare time, Trudy enjoys her family, making jewelry, arts and crafts.