AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY
Gary Schaffer is a School Psychologist, Mental Health Counselor, and author of the book/app Nuts & Bolts: Multi-Tiered Systems of Support: A Basic Guide to Implementing Preventative Practice in Our Schools and Community. Gary currently is employed by the NYS Office of People with Developmental Disabilities and Frontier Central School District. Additionally, he provides counseling and assessment services for the Erie County Medical Center and serves in the capacity of Adjunct Professor of School Psychology at Niagara University. Previously, Gary was employed by the NYS Office of Mental Health, Lansing School District, and Dysart Unified School District.
Gary received his B.A. degree in Special Education and English and M.S./C.A.S. degree in School Psychology from Niagara University in Niagara University, NY. He is a past recipient of the New York Association of School Psychologists’ (NYASP) Ted Bernstein Award and currently serves on the NYASP Board. In June, 2015, Gary met with national House and Senate members in Washington, DC to support the inclusion of Multi-Tiered Systems of Support in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Additionally, he advocated for the expansion of children's mental health service delivery models. He continues to be a vocal proponent in the expansion of children's mental health services through the School Psychologist Licensure Bill and was successful in leading team efforts to secure a Senate Sponsor for the Bill in 2016.
Gary has previously published for the Encyclopedia of Child Behavior and Development, Journal of Post-Secondary Education and Disability, and the New York School Psychologist. At present, he is leading a national study analyzing motivational factors and compensatory strategies of high school, post-secondary, and college alumni with High Functioning Autism. Additionally, he is serving in the capacity of liaison between NYASP and the NYS Office of Mental Health to write curriculum for state suicide prevention and intervention efforts.
He has presented to the New York State School Boards Association, Special Education Task Force, and at numerous New York Association of School Psychologists' state conferences on topics ranging from test anxiety to MTSS. His research interests include Multi-Tiered Systems of Support, post-secondary transition for students with disabilities, school and community-based mental health, living with ADHD and SLD, and developmental disabilities. Gary has a new textbook on MTSS coming out for SAGE Publications in 2022. He is currently working on his third book on implementation science and employing universal social-emotional programs.
TO EMAIL GARY FOR MTSS CONSULTATION & PRESENTATIONS OR TO REPORT BROKEN LINKS VISIT: Geschaffer@gmail.com