Research Advisory Committee Members

James Labrie serves as a self-advocate for the advisory committee. As a member of the foster care system for approximately 29 years, James is passionate about improving the lives of those with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). In particular, James hopes caregivers treat individuals with I/DD as family and provide them with a supportive, safe environment. 

On the side, James volunteers with Family Programs Hawaii and has previously worked with Symour Kazimiki's "Kids Hurt Too Hawaii" program. Additionally, James serves as a self-advocate and was a former chair of the Hawaiʻi State Council on Developmental Disabilities. For fun, James enjoys bowling and entering in tournaments.

Bathey Fong is a student, State Ambassador, and Best Buddies Leadership Officer at Leeward Community College and serves as a self-advocate for the advisory committee. Given Batheyʻs positive experiences in her adoptive home that gave her the freedom to go to college and be involved in activities, she would like to advocate for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) who may have less independence.

Bathey is also involved in the AccessSurf community and was the former president of the self-advocacy program for the Hawaiʻi State Council on Developmental Disabilities. 

Born and raised on Oʻahu, Dr. Trina Orimoto (she/her) has dedicated her career to enhancing the mental health and well-being of Hawaiʻi's communities. While she serves on this committee as a community member, her primary role is Deputy Director of the Office of Wellness and Resilience in the Office of the Governor of Hawaiʻi, where she brings her expertise as a licensed psychologist to shape policy and programs. Drawing on more than a decade of experience in advanced health data analytics, Dr. Orimoto specializes in developing data-driven tools that promote equitable decision-making and improve health service systems. She excels at leading multidisciplinary teams in mental health programs, policy development, and research implementation, while successfully managing federal grants and contributing to vital state mental health legislation. In her previous role as a dissemination and implementation specialist at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa's Health Policy Initiative, she bridged the gap between research and practice, transforming complex insights into actionable strategies within the Department of Health. Her work includes extensive experience providing evidence-based mental health services and training healthcare professionals.

Dr. Orimoto nurtures her own well-being by spending quality time outdoors with her two children, family, and friends.

Jim Kilgore has dedicated the past 20 years of his career to leading nonprofit organizations that support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). He began his career as a Direct Support Professional, a role that laid the foundation for his values and commitment to individuals with I/DD. For the past nine years, Jim has served as the Executive Director of Full Life, a State of Hawai‘I Developmental Disabilities Division (DDD) provider on Hawai‘i Island. Full Life’s mission is to empower people with I/DD to enjoy self-determined lives, supporting belonging and lifelong inclusion within our community. 

Jim is passionate about providing innovative services and believes that empowering and supporting the organization’s employees and the families of those served is necessary to provide person-centered supports that empower individuals with I/DD. His commitment to systems improvement extends beyond Full Life. He contributes as a board member of the Hawai‘i Waiver Provider Association and participates in many other statewide initiatives, advocating for enhanced services and opportunities for the I/DD community.

In his free time, Jim enjoys paddling outrigger canoes, being in nature, playing games and watching movies with his family, and embarking on backpacking trips together.

Nicole Schlaack, Ph.D.,serves as an evaluator at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa's Center on Disability Studies (CDS), where she leverages her extensive experience in P-12 teaching, teacher education, and program evaluation. At CDS, Nicole has overseen and contributed to a number of grants that are state and federally funded. Her research adopts a cultural-historical approach to human development, focusing on cross-organizational collaboration, culturally responsive pedagogy, family-school-community partnerships, and community integration for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Maya Matheis, Ph.D., M.S.W., is a licensed clinical psychologist and researcher dedicated to supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) across the lifespan. Based at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa’sCenter on Disability Studies, she specializes in the assessment and treatment of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental conditions. Dr. Maya earned her Master of Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis, her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Louisiana State University, and completed postdoctoral training at the UC Davis MIND Institute through the Autism Research Training Program (ARTP). Her research focuses on trauma-informed mental health support for individuals with IDD and community-based implementation of evidence-based practices. Dr. Maya is committed to fostering inclusive practices and improving outcomes for individuals with IDD and their families.

Laura Vegas joined NASDDDS in 2016. Before NASDDDS, Ms. Vegas was with Blue Cross/Blue Shield TN, the Director of Employment and Community First CHOICES.  While there, Ms. Vegas lead the development and start-up of Tennessee’s first Managed Long Term Supports and Services program for people with IDD. The start-up included assembling and training the Employment and Community First CHOICES team including care coordination, intake and eligibility experts, provider development specialists, and other specialty team members. 

Prior to joining Blue Cross/Blue Shield Tennessee, Ms. Vegas was the Assistant Commissioner for Policy and Innovation for the Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. During her 17 years of state service Laura specialized in policy development and implementation, Medicaid home and community-based services, strategies to design person centered systems, quality improvement and lead initiative to support department to become a person-centered organization. Ms. Vegas also worked as a Quality Enhancement Specialist with the Council on Quality and Leadership (CQL) from 2013-2017, leading and participating in teams working with organizations to obtain Person Centered Accreditation.

Ms. Vegas also has extensive experience within organizations serving individuals with I/DD. Ms. Vegas began her career serving as a direct support professional for residential services.  She holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Middle Tennessee State University and a Master of Professional Studies, Strategic Leadership also from Middle Tennessee State University.