Supporting Military Youth with Disabilities in Transition to Adult Life

Associate Division Director
Office of Special Education Programs
US Department of Education

Carmen Sánchez is an Associate Division Director in the Office of Special Education Programs at the US Department of Education. She is the program lead for the Parent Training and Information Center Program, which is comprised of parent training and information centers, community parent resource centers, and parent technical assistance centers, including the Center for Parent Information and Resources (CPIR). She is also provides federal oversight for the Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution in Special Education (CADRE). Prior to joining the Federal government 16 years ago, Carmen worked for local county government providing information and referral on disability issues across the lifespan and as the Family Resource Coordinator in its early intervention program. Carmen has been active in special education as a volunteer, serving on numerous workgroups including the local and state special education advisory committees.  Carmen is also the proud parent of two children, including a young adult, who happens to have cerebral palsy and completed a graduate program to support people with disabilities find the appropriate assistive technology they need.

Education Program Specialist
Office of Special Education Programs
US Department of Education

Marjorie Thompson is an Education Program Specialist in the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) at the US Department of Education. She is the State Lead for two Part B programs and two Part C programs, and she also is a member of the Differentiated Monitoring System (DMS 2.0) Implementation Team. Her role on the DMS 2.0 implementation team is to lead in the area of Dispute Resolution for her team. She also acts as the lead area expert for Military Families and supports the Department’s mission in supporting military connected children. Prior to joining OSEP in 2021, Marjorie worked for local county government serving as Supervisor for the second largest early intervention program in the State. She has also served as the Program Manager for the EFMP Respite Care program for the Navy and the Air Force, as well as taught in Part B Special Education classroom.  She has been in the Special Education field sine 2008 and is passionate about providing opportunities for all learners.