Board of Directors

John R. Passaro – President

John Passaro is President of the Board of Directors for Pike Autism Support Services and is also a founding member of PASS. John has also served on several other organizations, including the Board of Directors of the Center for Developmental Disabilities (CDD) and on the Board of the Carbon Monroe Pike MH/DS. John has been a driving force in Pike County and in the Delaware Valley School District concerning Autism Support classes being ABA/VBA based, ensuring that children affected with Autism were educated within the framework of current best practices and high expectations.

John assisted and encouraged parents to be informed participants in their child’s education and effective advocates on their behalf. John spent many years educating himself by attending workshops, seminars and regional conferences on a wide variety of subjects pertaining to Autism, including but not limited to Applied Behavioral Analysis, Verbal Behavior, DTT, RPM, IEP’s, Crisis training, Activity Schedules, Social Skills, Biomedical treatments, Augmentative Communication, Special education Law, IDEA, PA Chapter 14, Special Education Advocacy, Inclusion and Transition.  

John is a retired Computer Repair specialist who worked at Picatinny Arsenal in Dover, NJ. John also brings his skills in computing, graphics, audio/visual, sound, and music to our organization.

Amy DeVrieze MS, CCC-SLP – Secretary

Amy is the secretary of PASS and has served on the Board of Directors since 2009. Amy is a Speech-Language Pathologist for the Delaware Valley School District and has worked in the Autistic Support programs at the Dingman Delaware Primary School since 2004. Amy has dedicated her career to helping children on the Autism Spectrum find their voice and communicate in any way possible. Her approach to teaching students is not only about the child, but incorporating and educating the entire family. Amy spent seven years participating in the Pennsylvania Autism Initiative where she became versed in the theories of Applied Behavior Analysis and Verbal Behavior.

She is actively involved in PASS’ i-Care program which provides communication devices to individuals in the community. Amy is the chairperson of PASS’ annual Breakfast with Santa. She co-chairs several committees, plans and executes community events, and actively fundraises for PASS. Amy is forever grateful to Evan and the Passaro family. They have encouraged and inspired her to be a strong advocate for all individuals with special needs in our community.

Lilly Abbamonte – Treasurer

Lilly is Treasurer of Pike Autism Support Services and has been a Board member since December, 2023.
Lilly is a retired Administrator from Orange-Ulster BOCES in Goshen NY where she worked for over 30 years in various administrative positions all relating to providing services to the component districts.
Lilly offers her diverse experience in the special needs field to PASS that will assist with the Independence Village Project. She is currently the Chair of the Advisory Board.

Her adoration and connection to PASS stems from a longtime relationship with the Passaro family and her own family since their children were toddlers. Lilly admires the Passaro family’s dedication to making sure their son Evan and adults living with autism and related intellectual and developmental disabilities live independently in a safe environment that provides a well rounded adult life. She feels driven to help this happen for this community.

Elizabeth Hoitsma

Elizabeth is a dedicated psychiatric nurse with over 38 years of experience supporting individuals with behavioral health and substance use challenges. She is also a proud mother of three and a passionate advocate for individuals with autism and their families.

Elizabeth first connected with P.A.S.S. in 2003 after her youngest child was diagnosed with autism. The organization provided the emotional support, education, and acceptance her family needed during a difficult time. Inspired by the impact of that support, she joined the P.A.S.S. Board of Directors in 2009 to help other families navigate similar journeys. As a past vice president and board member, Elizabeth has contributed to parent support groups, led training sessions, supported fundraising initiatives, and volunteered at numerous community events. She remains committed to empowering individuals with autism and developmental disabilities to transition into adulthood with confidence, independence, and dignity.

Danielle Anderson

Danielle Anderson has been a board member of Pike Autism Support Services since 2017. She became aware of P.A.S.S thirteen years ago when reaching out to the community for support after her youngest son was diagnosed with autism. The guidance, knowledge, and unwavering support of P.A.S.S prompted her to want to become a more involved part of the organization… helping with fundraisers, parties, etc.  Danielle has worked in Special Education classrooms for the Delaware Valley school district, and now substitutes when she is available.  She has trained in Applied Behavioral Analysis; Nonviolent Crisis Prevention and Intervention ; Inclusion; and in IEP’s; and has attended several annual Rockland County Autism Symposiums where top doctors, therapists and teachers presented. 

 

 

Hailey Carroll, LMSW

Hailey has been a dedicated member of Pike Autism Support Services’ Board of Directors since October 2022. Hailey’s involvement with PASS spans over 20 years, beginning when her younger brother, Jagger, was diagnosed with level 3 ASD. Beyond her board role, Hailey actively contributes as a member of the Independence Village advisory board, an instructor for several social clubs and support services, serves as the chair of several signature events, and manages volunteer coordination, outreach, and social media/marketing.
Hailey holds a Master’s in Social Work from Fordham University and dual Bachelor’s degrees in Social Work and Special Education from Lock Haven University. Hailey is a Licensed Social Worker in PA, NY, and NJ, a Licensed Behavior Specialist in PA, a certified job coach (ACRE), and a Registered Behavior Technician with nearly 10 years of experience in ABA therapy.

With over a decade of experience supporting individuals and families affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (IDD), Hailey has worked across home, school, and community settings. Hailey currently practices as both a play therapist and mental health therapist, specializing in behavioral and mood disorders. Hailey’s personal and professional journey has been deeply shaped by PASS, and she remains committed to its mission—driving growth, expanding services, and empowering the ASD/IDD community.

John Maurer