Francine Hogan Francine has been involved with the disability community, both professionally and personally for over 17 years. Her advocacy work began when her now 19-year-old son Michael was diagnosed with Autism and Tourette Syndrome. Currently, Francine is the Director of the Pa Family Network for Vision for Equality. She leads a team of 25 Family Advisors and oversees the operations of this statewide initiative, which helps families plan, network, and identify the services and supports their loved one needs to lead an everyday life. In this capacity, she also serves as a Statewide Lead for the Pa Community of Practice for Supporting Families throughout the lifespan.
Before joining Vision for Equality in 2016 she was the Program Specialist at the Anthracite Region Center for Independent Living (ARCIL), where she was responsible for training, Person Centered Counseling, reporting, assisting with grant administration, community organizing, and system change. Francine holds certifications in Person-Centered Counseling, Supports Brokering, Mental Health First Aid, Independent Living Skills, and the ADA.
Francine has presented on disability related topics to audiences across the Commonwealth and nationally. She has developed and implemented curriculum on Pre-Employment Transition Skills, Training people with disabilities & First Responders to safely interact, LifeCourse Framework and HCBS Waivers to name a few.
Earlier in her career she was the President/CEO of a second-generation manufacturing corporation, Board member for the Delaware Valley Human Resources Management Association, and Board President of the Delaware Valley Relocation Council.
In her community Francine serves as the Vice President of the Liv with Autism Foundation; Founding/Current Board Member of the Luzerne County Special Needs Coalition, Founding member of the Community Healthcare Advisory Team on Intellectual Disability at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine and Member of the PA Family Support Network. In addition, to having served on multiple local and national disability related Boards of Directors, she is a past Executive Board member of the Autism Coalition of Luzerne County, and served 5 years as Chair to the Delaware Valley Chapter of Walk Now for Autism.