Elaine Linn: Project Leadership Manager
Elaine has spent nearly 25 years uniting national, statewide, and local nonprofit, community, public, and corporate partners in public health policy efforts. In her work helping nonprofit organizations achieve their advocacy goals, Elaine has collaborated with health care providers, academic institutions, patient advocacy organizations, patients and consumers, hospitals, and pharmaceutical manufacturers, in the areas of pharmacy, psychiatry, ophthalmology, and genetics, as well as diabetes, sepsis, social work, disability, and women’s and children’s health to engage communities, promote awareness, reduce stigma, and increase access to care.
Elaine is a public affairs consultant and the parent of two sons, including one who has Down syndrome and multiple related health conditions. She has worked with the California Children’s Hospital Association, conducting grassroots advocacy outreach and education related to the California Children’s Services program redesign and the ongoing federal health reform proposal. She serves as a member of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities Sacramento Regional Area Council, and as a member of the California and National Down Syndrome Advocacy Coalitions. Elaine previously served as Chair of the American Diabetes Association Sacramento Mission Delivery Committee, and as a member of the UC Davis Health System Community Advisory Board. Elaine also co-founded the Down Syndrome Information Alliance in Sacramento and served on its Board of Directors for several years. She lives in Folsom with her husband and two sons.
Nick Lutton: Program Manager
Nick got involved in advocacy nine years ago when his firstborn was diagnosed with Autism and an Intellectual Disability. He also has a three-year-old with Autism and special health care needs. After changing careers from hotel management in Las Vegas , Nick started rigorously searching for resources and information for the betterment of his family and the community.
After serving thousands of families with children who have complex medical needs, and intellectual disabilities he became the lead trainer for EPU Children’s Center‘s Parent Training and Information Center grant servicing 12 counties (the largest in the state of California). This allowed him to speak publicly and put on informational and educational trainings including symposium‘s for parents and professionals on a variety of important topics related to children with special health care needs.
This passion has led to him serving on multiple local, county, state, and federal advisory committees as well as being the Chair of the Fresno County Behavioral Health Board. His dedication to diligently providing information to families in the state comes from a deep understanding of the personal difficulties and hardships that one faces when a family needs to support and advocate for a child with special health care needs.
Want to join our team?
Check the Support for Families of Children with Disabilities Website for job openings.