Maria Cappoletti, of Manlius, New York, has recently started her new role as Chief Operations Officer at The Kelberman Center. Mrs. Cappoletti has over 25 years’ experience in the field of Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) and Autism. She brings an in-depth knowledge of key systems including New York State Education, Office for People with Developmental Disabilities and Department of Health. In her new role, she provides leadership through oversight of the operations, programs and clinical services at The Kelberman Center.
Mrs. Cappoletti began her career as a board-certified music therapist specializing in I/DD with a focus in Autism, starting in the Rochester, New York area, where she initiated the first music therapy program for children with IDD at Mary Cariola Children’s Center. Mrs. Cappoletti then held private practice music therapy services, providing group and individual therapy in various settings, including school districts, certified OPWDD residences, community settings and private homes. Eventually moving to the Syracuse area, Mrs. Cappoletti also worked at Upstate University Hospital as part of a multi-disciplinary team within the Child Life Department as a music therapist, providing therapeutic intervention to children receiving treatment.
In 2006 Mrs. Cappoletti began working at Advocates, Inc. She served in multiple capacities throughout her tenure, participating in the leadership and growth of the organization in various areas, including outreach, family education, service coordination, person-centered planning, and implementation of self-directed services. She played a lead role in the pilot of self-directed services program for people with IDD, and providing training and support to people and families.
Most recently, Mrs. Cappoletti worked at LIFEPlan Care Coordination Organization (CCO) NY, LLC., first, as Director of Program Development and Member and Family Relations. She successfully led the organization’s efforts to prepare for and achieve designation as an IDD Health Home Care Coordination Organization, developing and implementing several of the organization’s key support departments. Mrs. Cappoletti was promoted to Vice President of Quality Management and Program, where she directed the organization’s comprehensive quality management initiatives including the implementation of the quality management plan, quality assurance functions, program regulatory adherence, customer satisfaction, and corporate learning and development, to support the delivery of services for 18,500 people with I/DD across New York state.
Mrs. Cappoletti received her Bachelor’s Degree in Music Therapy from Nazareth College, with minors in Psychology and Gerontology, and also completed a post-graduate internship on Specialization in Autism and Sensory Integration.
