Program Directors

Matthew Krivoshey completed his undergraduate degree at SUNY Buffalo. Upon completion of this coursework, he earned both a Master’s in Education and a Master’s in School Psychology at CUNY Queens College. He then began his career as a school psychologist with the New York City Department of Education. While working as a school psychologist, he pursued and earned a Doctorate of Psychology degree with a School and Child Clinical Psychology specialization from Yeshiva University. At this time, he began working for the Bayport-Blue Point UFSD as a school psychologist in their high school.  He also opened his private practice as a psychologist, focusing on the mental health of children. While working in these roles, he also earned a Master’s Degree in School District Administration from Dowling College.

Dr. Krivoshey was promoted to Director of Special Education in July of 2000. In this role, he was able to use his expertise in child development and education to create programs and opportunities for disabled children in a more global manner. He continued in this role for another seven years until accepting a new position as Director of Special Education at the South Huntington Union Free School District. The new role, in a much larger public school district, allowed Dr. Krivoshey the ability to oversee the special education programs for over 1200 students. He held this position for the next sixteen years until retiring from public education, after 30 years of service, in 2023.

Dr. Krivoshey has always considered himself an advocate for children with disabilities. This commitment to children led him to become involved in the Long Island Association of Special Education Administrators (LIASEA), an organization committed to supporting students with disabilities on Long Island. He has held every position on this organization’s executive board including two years as president.   

In his new role as Executive Director, Dr. Krivoshey seeks to continue his extensive record of supporting students with special needs. As an educator and psychologist, he has long understood the importance of early intervention in improving outcomes for children. In continuing this work with Alternatives he hopes to build upon the legacy created by its first director, Dr. Marie Ficano: Providing help and support to all children during the early stages of development when it is needed most.

exec.dir@alternativesforchildren.org

Laura Hauck has been a part of Early Intervention since the start of her career in 1992. Laura received her Bachelor’s degree from St. Joseph’s college in both elementary and special education as well as a Master’s degree specializing in Infant/Toddler Therapeutic Education. Laura was an Early Intervention teacher at St. Charles Educational and Therapeutic Center for many years and is happy to have the opportunity to return to Alternatives For Children in this new role.  Her years of experiences working collaboratively with children and their families, both as an educator and ongoing service coordinator, are sure to be an asset to the Alternatives For Children organization.

Laura.Hauck@alternativesforchildren.org

631-331-6400 x 376

Lisa began her career working in early childhood education in 1999 and has worked at Alternatives For Children since 2001. In 2017, Lisa was named as the East Setauket Curriculum Coordinator.

Lisa received her graduate degree in education, birth through 6th grade for both special needs and typically developing students from St. Joseph’s College; received Master’s Degree in Education from Stony Brook University; received Advanced Master’s Degree in School Building Leadership and School District Leadership from Stony Brook University. Lisa is fully trained on the Creative Curriculum and Positive Behavior Intervention Supports. Lisa is a proud Member of NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children).

Lisa brings a wealth of knowledge regarding curriculum development and implementation to our program. She will provide guidance and direction as we align Common Core Learning Standards to the curriculum across disciplines. Lisa is experienced in research based instructional best practices and data analysis as part of the instructional process and will provide direct support to staff in these areas. She has experience in both regular and special education; training experience on various OCFS regulations; including and using technology appropriately; early literacy skills; implementing developmentally appropriate practices. In past schools, Lisa has been responsible for school-wide programs such as Pick a Reading Partners (PARP), and has successfully won teacher grants that enhanced student learning and teacher practice. 

lisa.caselles@alternativesforchildren.org

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Tina.Messina-Dillon@alternativesforchildren.org

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In November 2015, Ms. Beth Apostoli, M.Ed., S.D.A., joined our management team at Dix Hills as Site Coordinator.

Beth received her B.S. Ed. in Elementary Education from Adelphi University; M.Ed., Special Education from Boston College; and attended Hofstra University for post graduate work where she completed and received her certification in School District Administration and School Administrator and Supervisor.

Ms. Apostoli comes to Alternatives For Children with a wealth of public and private school experience: acted in the capacity of Director of Educational Services/Principal of the Children's Center at United Cerebral Palsy of Suffolk for four years; Adjunct Instructor at Hofstra University; worked for over six years at the Suffolk County Department of Health Bureau of Services for Children with Disabilities for Preschool Special Education; L.I. Infant Developmental Program as Coordinator of Education and Assessment; and most recently as the CSE/CPSE Administrator of a local School District.

She is looking forward to exploring all the wonderful things that are happening at Alternatives For Children and is excited about all the new possibilities that await.

beth.apostoli@alternativesforchildren.org

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In 2014, Vivienne came to Alternatives For Children after thirteen years at the Gillen Brewer School in New York City, a non-public school for children with varying abilities, eight of those years as a Teacher Mentor and Program Director.  As Program Director at the Gillen Brewer School, Vivienne supervised teachers, coordinated and managed extracurricular programming, developed and coordinated the School-Wide Reading Incentive Program, guided curriculum choices and facilitated teacher training of new curriculum, implemented  classroom management and school wide positive intervention and supports protocols, and coordinated a yearly partnership with a nearby fitness center.

Vivienne’s administrative, supervisory, program and staff development skills, and extensive teaching experience with children with Autism will greatly benefit the Alternatives For Children organization as we begin a new chapter at our recently opened Dix Hills location.

Vivienne holds a BA in Psychology from Rutgers University; an M.A. in Early Childhood Special Education from New York University; certification as School Building Leader from the Bank Street Graduate School of Education’s Early Childhood Leadership program.

Vivienne.Viera@alternativesforchildren.org

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