Katie Carnazzo, M.A., Coordinator

Katie Carnazzo, M.A. graduated from the University of Kansas with a Masters degree in Human Development and Behavior Analysis. She has worked with children with autism for approximately 15 years in various roles. Ms. Carnazzo did her graduate work at Juniper Gardens Children's Project in Kansas City, KS, designing and implementing programs, which promoted successful integration of children with autism into regular, age-appropriate classrooms. She trained teachers to use such programs as peer tutoring, cooperative learning groups, social skills groups, and social networks. She was an Itinerant Teacher in the Lawrence Public Schools working in elementary schools with children with autism. In her current role at the KATC, Ms. Carnazzo provides direct training and technical assistance to education staff, social and community personnel, counselors, job coaches and families. Ms. Carnazzo also coordinates the KATC's school-based technical assistance activities.

Tonja Craig, Unit Business Manager  

Tonja has been with the University of Louisville since 1999. Previously Tonja worked in the business offices of the Obstetrics and Gynecology department, and School of Business. She joined the Kentucky Autism Training Center as a Unit Business Manager where she oversees the business operations of the Center. Her expertise includes preparing and analyzing the Center’s budget for both internal University use and for the Center’s Board Members and administering the Center's grants.  Additionally, she is the liaison to other University business units.

Kristen Frarey, Program Coordinator  

Kristen joined the Kentucky Autism Training Center in the spring of 2001 to assist in the coordination and scheduling of KATC's School and Family Services. She coordinates Presentations and Workshops to family groups and organizations across KY, facilitates quarterly billing for KATC Services and assists the Unit Business Manager with financial responsibilities. Most recently Kristen has worked with regional leaders and organizations to develop and facilitate a variety of Regional Workshops across the state and also serves as the conference chair for KATC's Annual Autism Institute.

Rebecca Grau, M.P.A., Program Coordinator, serving as Interim Director  

Rebecca Grau graduated with a Masters degree in Public Administration at the University of Louisville. Ms. Grau coordinates many of the Center’s administrative responsibilities and is working to increase collaboration among parents and professionals to develop an efficacious system of care for individuals with autism and their families across the Commonwealth.

Emily Kirkham, B.S., Field Trainer  

Emily Kirkham graduated from the University of Louisville with a Bachelors degree in Sociology. She has worked with children with Autism for six years. She was the classroom teacher with the Endeavor Program at the Kentucky Center for Special Children's Services and Preschool (Carriage House), a therapeutic program to prepare students with ASD for elementary school. While in this role she developed behavior, communication, social and toileting programs for classroom students. She also served as an Intervention Specialist with Caritas Peace Center in the Innovations Program. This program serves children and adolescents with developmental disabilities, mental retardation, and autism. She assisted program participants when these conditions were accompanied by significant emotional or behavioral challenges that impede meaningful family, social, and community integration. In her current role at the KATC, Ms. Kirkham assists in the development of programs for use across Kentucky. She provides direct training and technical assistance to education staff, social and community personnel, counselors, job coaches and families.

Debbie Lorence, LCSW, Field Training Coordinator

Debbie Lorence received her Masters Degree at the University of Louisville’s Kent School of Social Work and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She has extensive experience in working with youth and parents in both professional and volunteer capacities. She previously served as a Child and Family Therapist at Seven Counties Services as well as Executive Director of a non-profit organization in Oldham County.  She has also worked at the Ohio Valley Educational Cooperative serving as Coordinator of a Kentucky Parent Information and Resource Center. Debbie is a Fellow of the Pritchard Committee’s Commonwealth Institute for Parent Leadership. At the KATC, Debbie will focus on increasing Kentucky families' access to training, support and resources. Also, she has taken on the role of maintaining and expanding the extensive KATC’s Amanda L. King Resource Center.