About Us

Who We Are

Center for Progressive Learning, Inc dba Changing People’s Lives was founded in 1986 and provides Shared Living Services throughout the entire State of Maryland.  Our headquarters is located in Owings Mills, Maryland and we also have an office in Salisbury, Md.

We are committed to providing high quality and client-centered Shared Living services to our clients to assist them to lead dignified and independent lives in the comfort and safety of their chosen homes.  Their individual needs are carefully assessed, understood, and met through the selective assignment of qualified, trustworthy, and compassionate Care Providers / Host Homes.

Mission

To provide person-centered planning, advocacy, and education that enhance the emotional, social, and physical health of individuals living with developmental disabilities.

Vision

Individuals achieve their personal goals and experience lifelong successes relating to self, family, friends, and career.

Our Team

JIM PERRONE
Chief Executive Officer

Jim came to CPL as the result of a merger with First Step in October 0f 2013. Jim has a BA and an MS in Counseling Psychology from Loyola University in Maryland and is also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA). Jim has family members with Developmental Disabilities making this work personal.

CINDY HENDERSON
Chief Operating Officer

Cindy joined CPL as Chief Operating Officer in October of 2013 upon completion of a merger with First Step. Cindy has a Master's Degree in Counseling Psychology from Loyola University in Maryland. Cindy has been managing non-profits since 1991.

PAULA TIBERIO
Program Director

Paula began working with CPL in 1992 as a case manager. Soon thereafter, she began doing training and development as well as implement a Quality Assurance program. Currently, Paula also serves as the Chair of the Human Rights Committee for CPL.

JOHN GESELL
Assistant Director of Program Services

John joined Changing People’s Lives in 2009 as a Program Services Manager for the Western Region. John graduated from Bridgewater College in Virginia in 2003 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology.

KARA CHURCH
Director of Financial Operations

Kara joined the CPL staff in May 2005 as a Medical Administrative Assistant. In 2008, she advanced to our financial department as the accounting assistant. In 2013, she became the Director of Financial Operations.

TIMOTHY FITZSIMMONS
Director of Quality Assurance

Timothy started working for CPL in 1993. Over the past 28 years, Timothy has held numerous titles for the company. His heart, his soul, his passion and his total adult life has been working for and with the people at CPL. His time at CPL has brought him comfort, joy and an incomputable understanding what it means to be a service for others. Timothy holds a M.F.A. Writing from U.S.F., a M.Ac. and a D.Ac. from Maryland University of Integrative Health.

SHERRY SILVER
Medical Records Quality Assurance

Sherry is a Registered Nurse in Maryland and has been since 1979. Sherry has a Masters Degree in Administrative Science and has worked with many different populations and joined CPL in August 2017.

ALYSSA PERRONE
Director of Development

Alyssa is responsible for the development of our homes and assisting with matching individuals with their host homes. She has a bachelor's degree from the University of Maryland - College Park and a JD from The George Washington University Law School. Alyssa has extensive experience with individuals with disabilities both personally, having grown up with relatives with disabilities, and professionally, as a special education attorney prior to joining CPL.

Program Service Managers

Hope Church
Kia Green
Esti Karnoto
Don Mitchell
Margaret Moses
Maria Fisher
Noreen Shortt (Salisbury Office)

Administrative Staff

Linda Ames (Salisbury Office)
Tasha Gijon
Jennifer Graham

What Is Shared Living?

Shared Living emphasizes the long-term sharing of lives, forming of a caring household and close personal relationships between a person and the host home, an individual, couple, or a family in the community who share their home and life’s experiences with a person with a disability. The approach is based on a mutual relationship where both parties agree to share their lives.

Essentially – Shared Living is a great alternative to group homes or ALUs for folks for whom a more “home-like” environment would work. It provides for a smooth transition for anyone already coming from a family home where perhaps the parents find that they can no longer support an individual as they age.

Shared Living may not be a suitable placement for anyone with extreme behavioral issues such as elopement, physical aggression, or for someone in need of awake overnight care. An individual with extensive medical needs such as IVs or a tracheotomy may also preclude placement in Shared Living.

If you know someone who may benefit from a Shared Living host home, please feel free to share this information with them. You may also make referrals to our Shared Living program by calling 410-581-7800 or emailing aperrone@cplcares.org.

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