Jim Karpe

Jim Karpe is the father of two young adults with developmental disabilities.  His daughter performs with EPIC productions, and his son works part-time stocking shelves at Trader Joes.  Jim works in IT, advising clients on how to modernize their operations. 

Jim has a practical vision for how to improve person-centered IDD services in New York State, and has joined together with others to refine his ideas and make them a reality. The NY service system can be more flexible, and put more of the decision-making power into the hands of the individual, their family, and their non-profit provider.

As a volunteer, he runs the special needs division of West Side Soccer League, is parent co-chair of the Queens Council on Developmental Disabilities, is on the Steering Committee of NYC FAIR, and is a co-founder of the Coalition for Self-Direction.