Who are We
Housed in the Maryland Department of Disabilities, the Advisory Stakeholder Group on Autism-Related Needs (ASGARN) works with the State Coordinator for Autism Strategy to improve how individuals with autism are served in the state.
A main function of the State Coordinator is to develop a strategic plan for autism strategy in coordination with the ASGARN. Chaired by the State Coordinator, the ASGARN meets quarterly to monitor and evaluate implementation of the strategic plan.
The group is tasked with the following:
- Identifying and evaluating existing services for individuals with autism and their families.
- Developing a strategic plan for addressing autism-related needs in the State.
- Promoting, monitoring, and evaluating the implementation of the strategic plan.
- Recommending and implementing changes to the strategic plan.
Meet the Autism Strategy State Coordinator
Victoria M. Rodríguez-Roldán, J.D. is a nationally known openly trans and autistic self-advocate and proud Baltimore City resident. She has over a decade of experience in the government and non-profit sector, having started in disability discrimination enforcement at the U.S. Department of Labor. Later, she found the Disability Justice Project at the National LGBTQ Task Force, the first national effort dedicated to LGBTQ people with disabilities, with a special focus on both mental health and IDD - both populations in which LGBTQ people are historically underrepresented.
She has worked extensively in matters impacting marginalized communities in various organizations, and has been published in legal journals on the intersections of developmental disability and LGBTQ identity. She is a chapter author of the book “Sincerely, Your Autistic Child.”
Before being appointed by Gov. Moore to be Maryland’s Coordinator of Autism Strategy, she chaired the board of the Autistic Self Advocacy Network during a multi year period of dynamic transition for the organization, and sat as a member of the Autistic Women and Non-Binary Network. She holds a law degree from the University of Maine School of Law, and an undergraduate degree in Psychology from the University of Puerto Rico.
Meeting Dates and Archives
All meetings listed below are held virtually unless otherwise noted
- Tuesday, September 22, 2026 / 4:30 P.M. - 6:00 P.M.
Password: 414280
The Maryland Department of Disabilities is committed to providing universal access to all our events. Please contact Marisha Ingram at [email protected] or 410-767-36
ASGARN Advisory Board Members
Appointed by the Governor:
- Emily Arker
- Devan Southerland
- Roger Thibaudeau
- Adam Shafer Jones
- Nicole LaBlanc
- Lisa Wiederlight
- Peggy Pugh
- Christy Russell
Ex-Officio Members:
- State Autism Coordinator (Victoria Rodríguez-Roldán) -
- Department of Disabilities (Anne Blackfield)
- Department of Human Services (Courtney Thomas-Winterberg)
- Maryland State Department of Education (Carmen Brown)
- Department of Health (Janet Furman)
- MD Speech-Lang-Hearing Assoc. (Fatima Salem)
- Maryland Developmental Disabilities Council (Rachel London)
- Arc Maryland (Raymond Marshall)
- Pathfinders for Autism (Rebecca Rienzi)
- Itineris (Ami Taubenfeld)
Maryland General Assembly Appointed:
- Delegate Michele Guyton
- Delegate Julie Palakovich Carr
Appointed by Coordinator for State Autism Strategy:
- Ryan Roddey
- JaLynn Prince
- Gregory Robinson
- Ly Xīnzhèn Zhǎngsūn Brown
- Jess L. Wilcox Cowing
- Nikki Stokes
- Elizabeth Benevides
- Melissa Rosenberg
- Nancy Forsythe
- Yoreidy Vasquez-Tavares
- Rachel Leah Kraus