Toni Donnelly

National Trainer and Coach

Toni Donnelly is a National Trainer and Coach at Innovations Institute, University of Connecticut School of Social Work. Toni brings a wealth of personal experience navigating systems; building effective wraparound teams; helping systems understand the nuances of family engagement, involvement, and leadership; parent-professional partnerships; and identification of underlying needs and resources for families and youth experiencing complex challenges. In her current role, Toni supports workforce development in training and certification of the peer parent support workforce. Toni began her work in New Jersey over two decades ago as a Family Support Coordinator for the Burlington County Family Support Organization, eventually becoming Executive Director. In 2004, she moved to Arizona, where her career continued at the Family Involvement Center as a lead trainer and then Director of Training and Innovation. She also worked for Value Options as the Children’s Division Network Manager. Toni’s approach to training and coaching is informed by her most significant role, raising three sons with emotional and behavioral health needs. She and her children have experience with both public and private sector behavioral health systems. Through a 2001 SAMSHA grant, Toni’s oldest son was one of the first youth that received services through the Care Management Organization, Partners for Kids and Families in Burlington County, New Jersey. Toni’s non-adversarial advocacy as a parent on behalf of her children, coupled with her ability to navigate the behavioral health system, special education services, and the justice system compelled Toni to become involved in the family movement.