Kleckner J. Charles
Director, Intellectual disAbility Services

Kleckner J. Charles brings decades of experience with intellectual and developmental disabilities service, having served as Chief Operating Officer for The Arc Putnam New York; Assistant Executive Director for Program Development Services in Brooklyn, N.Y.; and Assistant Executive Director for Edwin Gould Services for Children and Families in Brooklyn. Charles also possesses decades of concurrent experience in hospital and behavioral health settings. He has been a staunch advocate for individuals of varying abilities for more than half of his life, sharing that he is most proud of the time he spent working as direct care staff at an intermediate care facility (ICF/ Group home) supporting individuals diagnosed with severe autism nearly three decades ago.

Charles earned his bachelor’s degree in history from Stony Brook University and his master’s in public administration, health administration and long-term care from Long Island University. He recently successfully defended his doctoral capstone research at the University of Southern California, focusing on social and health care innovations. His research work delved into ways to address future challenges related to providing long-term support & services to individuals of varying abilities.