Join us this Shabbat Renewal as we celebrate JDAIM (Jewish Disability, Awareness, and Inclusion Month) with guest speaker Judy Blake.

Judy is a Program Coordinator for Family-to-Family Network, a Houston non-profit that provides programs that empower families of children and young adults with disabilities as they navigate the complex special education, health care, and disabilities service systems. Through training, they help individuals with disabilities and their family members define and achieve success for themselves and their loved ones. Creating opportunities and possibilities where others see barriers, she strives to change attitudes so that every individual can achieve THEIR best life.

Judy also serves on the Board and is a Family Faculty member for the LoneStar LEND Program. LEND programs are throughout the country and promote training that produces future leaders equipped to best serve underrepresented and underserved children with autism spectrum disorder and developmental disabilities across Texas. LoneStar LEND is a collaborative between UT Health Science Center/McGovern School of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Texas Woman’s University, University of Houston, and University of Houston – Clear Lake. She works with medical residents and fellows, graduate students, professionals, parents, and siblings of people with disabilities and self-advocates throughout a 10-month interdisciplinary training model focused on leadership, cultural competence, and evidence-based practice.

She is also the co-coordinator of the Harris County Community Resource Collaboration Group – facilitating meetings with non-profit agencies, school districts, and community members conducting monthly education seminars. She also participates in staffing sessions for youth 10 -17 years old who are in crisis needing significant support.
She is also Chairperson of the Baker Ripley Health Services Advisory Committee, serves on the Board of the University of Houston Clear Lake – Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, and participates in Project DOCC (Delivery of Chronic Care) – sharing the “lived experience” with medical students and residents regarding the journey of raising an adult son with disabilities. She also serves two public advisory committees for The Harris Center for Mental Health and IDD.

Judy is the very proud single mother of Ryan, a wonderful 26-year-old man who was born when autism spectrum disorder was unknown to many. She quickly became his advocate always ensuring that he was living a meaningful life.