Susanne Mason – Resource Manager & Event Coordinator
Susanne joined the HCAS staff in June 2019 and ensures the smooth operation of HCAS’ day-to-day activities including volunteer coordination, fundraising and program management, information and referral, event support and member services. Previously Susanne worked with organizations affiliated with the Oakland Mills Interfaith Center, serving on the marketing teams for The Meeting House, The Meeting House Gallery, and Columbia United Christian Church, developing websites and designing promotional materials. Prior to her non-profit endeavors, Susanne had the privilege of conducting neurophysiology research at the University of Maryland Baltimore and serving as adjunct faculty in the Health Sciences division at Howard Community College. Susanne has been a Columbia resident for more than 25 years by way of Australia and Michigan. She lives with her husband, her teen son who is on the autism spectrum, and a precocious teen golden doodle.
Beth Benevides, Special Education Consultant
Beth is a longtime policy and educational advocate for individuals and families affected by autism and related disabilities. She serves as a consultant for HCAS, providing 1:1 special education consultation to parents of children with any disability in Howard County as part of our annual Community Service Partnership (CSP) Grant through the Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services. She is a Past President of HCAS and is Associate Director of Autism Programs at the Hussman Foundation. Beth serves on a number of statewide workgroups devoted to programs, education, civil rights and policy affecting those with autism. She is an advisory member of the Maryland Center for Developmental Disabilities at Kennedy Krieger Institute, an appointed member of the Maryland Department of Disabilities Ethan Saylor Alliance for Self-Advocates steering committee; and co-chair of the commission for Transitioning Students with Disabilities in Howard county. She is a certified special education advocate and member of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates (COPAA) Beth is mom to a 21-year-old son with autism.
Stacy Hurley, LCSW-C, Family Navigator
Stacy L. Hurley has a Master’s in Social Work (MSW) from the University of Maryland, School of Social Work with a concentration in Families and Children – Clinical/Community Organization and Social Administration (COSA) . She is a Licensed Social Worker – Clinical (LCSW-C) in the state of Maryland, and she is a Certified Supervisor through the Maryland Board of Social Work Examiners (BSWE). Stacy has experience as a Field Instructor for Morgan State University and the University of Maryland Social Work Programs. She has over 20 years of experience in Child Welfare, Family Preservation and Reunification, Treatment Foster Care, and Individual and Family Counseling. She also has experience as an Adjunct Professor teaching Social Work Practice at UMB, SSW, Sociology, Academic Development, as well as Keyboarding, Clerical Skills and Theater for Self-Awareness and Self-Regulation in the CASE/Single Step Program designed for special learners at CCBC. Stacy’s philosophy is building strong relationships to help people grow and heal. Strengthening lives through love and acceptance is key.
Dana Riley, Bookkeeper
Dana provides general bookkeeping services for HCAS that include everything from payroll, financial reports and budget preparation, to coordinating the tax preparation and financial reviews.
Sara Sommerville, Special Education News Center
Sara manages and oversees the HCAS Special Education News Center Website as part of our annual Community Service Partnership (CSP) Grant through the Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services. She coordinates and posts articles on the site in partnership with HCAS and HCPSS Department of Special Education. Sara lives in Howard County and is the parent of a teenage son with ASD.
Malikah Shah, Intern (Fall 2020)
Ching-Lin Huang, Intern (Fall 2020)