Kathleen A. VandenBerg, Ph.D. – Director/Trainer

Kathleen A. VandenBerg, Ph.D. is on the Board of Directors of the NIDCAP Federation International. She is an Infant Development Specialist with a background in Special Education. She has provided developmental services and training to intensive care nurseries for over thirty years incorporating the NIDCAP approach. Dr. VandenBerg trains professionals in a systems-based, relationship and process oriented approach that provides support in individualized developmental family centered care for infants and families. Dr. VandenBerg has consulted and trained professionals throughout Europe, Canada and the U.S. in the area of high risk infant development. She has published over thirty papers. Her research efforts include studies to demonstrate the NIDCAP approach to providing developmentally supportive care and demonstrating the effectiveness of individualized developmental family centered approaches in the NICU environment.

Amanda Newstetter, M.S.W. – Parent Trainer

Amanda Newstetter MSW is a parent trainer with the Special Start Training Program. She had a daughter who was cared for in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and her experience became a turning point in her life. Despite being a trained Social Worker and counselor, it was a traumatic experience for her family. As a parent trainer, Ms. Newstetter shares her personal experience and advocates for families who have survived the NICU experience.