Kristin Rohrbeck to lead outreach services for Oakland University Center for Autism

Kristin Rohrbeck has been promoted to director of OUCARES, the outreach arm of the Oakland University Center for Autism. In her new role, she will be leading the direction of OUCARES, planning strategic initiatives, fundraising and dealing with budgetary responsibilities.

Rohrbeck, of Farmington Hills, previously served as the OUCARES’ program coordinator, managing the development, implementation and evaluation of more than 40 recreational programs for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She oversaw a staff of more than 25 professionals, recruited and trained more than 300 volunteers annually and also had marketing and grant-writing responsibilities.

Rohrbeck’s background includes experience in diverse educational settings. Prior to joining OUCARES, she worked as a psychology instructor at The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio and then with The Learning Experience in Farmington Hills. She also spent nearly three years as a behavioral therapist at The Autism Peace, where she managed an in-home behavioral therapy program for a child with autism.

Rohrbeck’s other roles have included serving as an assistant teacher at the University of Michigan Children’s Center; a laboratory manager at the Ann Arbor-based Center for Human Growth and Development; and a graduate researcher at The Ohio State University. She has presented at numerous international and national conferences on topics related to autism and child development. Furthermore, she has authored various research articles related to the way children and adults learn information.

Rohrbeck earned a master’s degree in developmental psychology from The Ohio State University and bachelor’s degrees in psychology and Spanish from the University of Michigan.

OUCARES integrates academic course work, knowledge and research with hands-on work in the community to prepare professionals to be leaders in the autism community. Through these academic and service programs, Oakland University also provides supportive individual and family programs. To learn more about OUCARES, visit oakland.edu/oucares.