Flo DiGennaro

This year, FEAT of CNY has chosen to recognize Flo DiGennaro PhD, BCBA, with the When Everybody Cares award for professional excellence. There is so much to say about someone who has given so much to this community. She is our rare treasure. She is a unique blend of professional expertise and insight into each family’s journey.

Many times we as parents fight hard to make our children’s programs meaningful and to tell the world just how capable our kids are. Flo is a special gift to this community because she fights with us. In every workshop, training, consultation or mentoring opportunity, Flo speaks of our children like the smart and sparkling gems that they are. She challenges others to always remember that our kids are indeed able to learn and grow. She challenges us as parents to be the managers of that process and to be strong advocates.

Her training workshops are numerous and more often than not, she gives little thought to compensation. Her motivation is solely spreading information that can help our families. Her generous spirit and genuine love for our children is always evident. No one could work so hard for so many and be driven by anything other than love for our kids. Flo exemplifies the FEAT of CNY belief that each child is beautiful, capable and lovable.

She is also a mentor to professionals and students in the area. In the generous way she is known for, she will work tirelessly to help students obtain the information and resources they may need to be successful. She was one of the first advisors to the FEAT CNY board and has readily given advice and guidance to our Parent Board. She has been a critical component to our success. We are grateful for all these incredible donations of her time and energy.

Most noteworthy however, is the spirit that motivates Flo. Among the numerous nominations we received for Flo, a common theme emerged. There was both a sense of joy and relief to have someone who could blend both an understanding of effective intervention for our children with compassion for the journey of our families. As parents, many people walk in and out of our lives to give advice, ideas and well wishes. The multitude of suggestions can seem daunting at 2 am when you are awake with your screaming child. There is a feeling of heartache that sets in knowing that few will ever understand how difficult these suggestions are to carry out sometimes. Few will ever understand how exhausting and heartbreaking it all can be. Once in a while we find a rare treasure like Flo. We find a person who does understand.

Those of us who know Flo also know the tremendous impact she has had on this community. As a result, we hold her dear to our hearts. Some quotes from her nominations included: “Flo is caring and genuine and has vision of what can be”. “My family is in good hands”. “She has changed our lives forever”. “She has great integrity, character and professionalism”. “She is the most approachable professional I know”. “She provides whatever supportive service she can, often without a thought about compensation”. “She is in this field because she was meant to be. She is brilliant and an upcoming star”. “Our kids are lucky if Flo is anywhere on their program team”.

It’s professionals like Flo that will help us change the world for our children. One child at a time, she guides them to higher goals and in that way, better places.

Thank you Flo, for your dedication to our families.