Our Staff
Jan Lynch, MSW
Executive Director email: jan@fliconline.org
Jan has been the Executive Director at the Finger Lakes Independence Center (FLIC) since April 2014. Currently serving on several boards and committees in Tompkins County, she previously spent almost 10 years as a board member and board president for FLIC. Jan finds that the current shifts in funding and legislative priorities can be both challenges and opportunities in the not-for-profit world. Independent Living Centers are uniquely positioned to ride this wave of change by diversifying their services while using the person-driven approach that has always been an intrinsic part of the Independent Living focus. Advocacy for the services and supports that enable people with disabilities to live in the community has become more important than ever.
Cheryl Baker
Bookkeeper email: cheryl@fliconline.org
CDPAP/EISEP Coordinator
Cheryl maintains the agency’s fiscal reports, accounts, billing, and payroll, as well as coordinates our Consumer Directed Personal Assistance (CDPAP) and Expanded In-home Services for the Elderly (EISEP) programs. The EISEP program is funded through the Tompkins County Office for the Aging, while CDPAP is funded through Medicaid. These programs assist people with disabilities and older adults to continue to live in their homes by receiving supportive personal care assistance. Cheryl also maintains organization of all financial records consistent with program and agency policies and procedures and serves as primary agency liaison during annual fiscal audit and any other periodic audit, as needed.
Jeff Boles
Advocacy Specialist email: jeff@fliconline.org
Jeff has been with FLIC for over 20 years. He uses his personal and professional experience to help people with disabilities achieve their goals, both individually and through group presentations. Jeff is a strong advocate for disability rights. He serves on the Developmental Disabilities Subcommittee of Tompkins County, advocates for the inclusion of adults and youth with disabilities in all community recreational activities, and assists with statewide systems advocacy which forwards awareness and action on disability relevant legislation. Jeff has facilitated numerous Living Well with a Disability programs at FLIC and strives to help others with disabilities live a healthy lifestyle.
Emily Papperman
Advocacy Specialist email: emily@fliconline.org
Emily has been with FLIC since 2009. She provides Peer Counseling to consumers, helping them set goals, prioritize issues, and develop creative solutions to complex problems. She helps with Benefits Applications, and assists people with individual advocacy and housing difficulties. Emily gives disability awareness presentations at colleges, schools, and camps in the community about living with a disability. Emily is a certified benefits advisor and assists with applications for Social Security Disabilities Income, Medicaid, and other benefits.
Jorge Cuevas
ADEN Employment Advocate email: jorge@fliconline.org
Jorge started with FLIC in January of 2020. He is FLIC’s point of contact for the American Dream Employment Network that helps people with disabilities start or get back to work through Social Security Administration’s Ticket To Work Program. He is also the point of contact for referrals from ACCES-VR, which also helps people with disabilities start or get back to work. With both programs, Jorge helps participants with resumes, cover letters, job searches, practice interviews, job retention and job accommodations. He also enjoys helping walk-ins who need to borrow assistive equipment.
Rashke Bradley (they, them)
Advocacy Specialist, Statewide Systems rashke@fliconline.org
Rashke (they/them) is a Statewide Systems Advocate and Advocacy Specialist. As a systems advocate, they focus on policies and practices that affect people with disabilities, such as the Fair Pay for Home Care campaign and improving mental health crisis response. They also provide peer counseling in their role as an Advocacy Specialist and support FLIC’s efforts in advocating for students with disabilities and their families. In their free time, they like to take circus classes, do puzzles while listening to podcasts and hang out with their cat, Mischief
Teressa Sivers (she, her)
New York Connects Specialist email: teressa@fliconline.org
Teressa works with the statewide NY Connects: No Wrong Door initiative. Across New York State, NY Connects specialists and coordinators seek to connect anyone of any age who need long term services and support to appropriate services. These services could be for children or adults with disabilities, older adults, family members and caregivers seeking to help, friends or neighbors, or helping professionals. In Tompkins County, Teressa provides information and assistance, referrals, and person-centered options counseling. In options counseling, Teressa will meet with the individual and family/friends/professionals, in whatever way is most comfortable, to explore what is needed to live as independently as possible, to discern preferences and desires, and to explore the many supports and services available, both from agencies and informally from contacts and connections.
Lindsey Smith
Administrative Assistant email: lindsey@fliconline.org
Lindsey works as the central hub of the FLIC office, answering phones, greeting visitors, assisting with the Loan Closet and Try-It Room. She maintains FLIC’s database and records, and offers crucial support to the work of the Independence Center. Lindsey lives in Ithaca, close to FLIC’s office, with her spouse and their cat. She comes to FLIC with 12+ years of experience working with people with disabilities.
Brian Yonkin
Ramp Specialist email: Brian@fliconline.org
Brian works as the Ramp Specialist to install and maintain the aluminum modular ramps we loan to people. These ramps allow people with disabilities in Tompkins County to enter and exit their home safely. Ramps are part of FLIC’s loan program, with a refundable deposit. For more information, call FLIC or visit our Ramp page. Brian is an Ithaca native with over 40 years experience as a remodeling contractor.
