Our Team
Sara Gratzer
Director of Employment Services
“As the Director of Employment Services, my role is to manage all Employment Services for Empac Group. I also get to work directly with the individuals we serve and lead the continued expansion and development of employment services for Franklin and surrounding counties. I love getting to know each and every individual I work with and see them achieve their goals.”
Specialized Training: Positive Behavior Supports, Non-violent crisis intervention, CPR/First-Aid, Certified Inclusion Coalition for Employment Mentor, and Autism-specific training.
Penny Lanham
Employment Specialist
“As an Employment Specialist I am responsible for developing and implementing all aspects of employment services. I maintain a working knowledge of disabilities and potential assistive technology or other accommodations that can support individuals with disabilities and meet vocational goals. I assist individuals with individualized career planning, job development and retention services. I take great pride in developing and pursuing personal and employment goals established through the planning process with everyone I work with. I find joy in watching and assisting an individual with successful employment.”
Specialized Training: Positive Behavior Supports, Non-violent crisis intervention, and CPR/First-Aid.
Tina Breeden
Employment Specialist
“As an Employment Specialist it is my role to assist individuals with school-to-work transition assistance, discovery and exploration, work trials, job development, and identifying supports for employment. My experience as a High School Special Education teacher, teaching community job skills has aided me in helping individuals reach out and explore opportunities for employment in their communities. I enjoy working with our pre-vocational classes for soft skills training to help individuals prepare for employment and workplace relationships. I enjoy working with individuals and getting to know their interests and abilities to better support them with their future employment opportunities.”
Specialized Training: Bachelor of Science in Education, Masters in Education, Positive Behavior Supports, Behavioral Coach, Non-violent Crisis Intervention, CPR/First Aid.
Amanda Constable
Employment Specialist
“As an employment specialist, my role is to assist individuals with finding meaningful employment within our community. I take a person-centered approach by focusing on the individual while providing service excellence and successful employment. I enjoy getting to know each and every individual I work with and I love to see them achieve their employment goals as well as seeing their personal and professional growth throughout.”
Specialized Training: Positive Behavior Supports, Non-violent crisis intervention, CPR/First-Aid
Karen Simily
Employment Specialist
“As an Employment Specialist, my goal is to help clients find employment opportunities that empower individuals with independence and self-sufficiency. My background in education has assisted me with working with individuals to learn more about themselves through discovery and exploration experiences, job development, job coaching, and identifying natural supports in the workplace. Likewise, I also enjoy assisting individuals in pre-vocational classes which help build their soft skills enabling individuals for future employment opportunities. Similarly, I feel honored to link individuals’ interests with employers where both can benefit from the work connections that strengthen our community.”
Specialized Training: Bachelor of Science in Education and Special Education LD/BD/MH, Masters in Multidisciplinary Education, Positive Behavior Supports, CPR/First Aid, Non-violent Crisis Intervention