The Ruderman Family Foundation At the Ruderman Family Foundation, raise the profile of issues related to disability, inclusion, and mental health. We believe that full inclusion of people with disabilities is not a matter of charity, but of civil rights. Mental health and suicide among first responders is a topic that needs to be explicitly and frequently addressed by media outlets, policy makers, first responder professionals, and the public at large. We hope that this White Paper will spark a conversation about mental health that will ultimately facilitate access to services for all people, including first responders. Our Mission The Ruderman Family Foundation believes that inclusion and understanding of all people is essential to a fair and flourishing community. Guided by our Jewish values, we support effective programs, innovative partnerships, and a dynamic approach to philanthropy in our core area of interest: advocating for and advancing the inclusion of people with disabilities in our society. The Foundation provides funding, leadership, expertise and insight in the U.S. and Israel, with offices in both countries. Visit us at: http://www.rudermanfoundation.org Primary Contributors Miriam Heyman is a Program Officer at the Ruderman Family Foundation, where she is responsible for the oversight of programs related to disability inclusion. She began her career as a Special Education Teacher in the New York City Public Schools, and while teaching she earned a Master’s degree in Special Education from the City University of New York. Miriam received a Ph.D. in Applied Developmental and Educational Psychology from Boston College, where she focused her studies on individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Miriam is passionate about working towards inclusion in all settings and throughout the life
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