Joseph (J.J.) Ferrito, Psy.D.

RethinkFirst - Director of Mental Health

Dr. Joseph (J.J.) Ferrito is a licensed psychologist and certified school psychologist in New Jersey. He specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). Dr. Ferrito has experience working with children and adolescents across a variety of levels of care including schools. Dr. Ferrito’s research has focused on sustainable methods for fostering and assessing Social Emotional Learning and Character Development (SECD) in children and adolescents. 

Dr. Ferrito earned his undergraduate degree in Psychology from Marist College, Master’s Degree in School Psychology from Rutgers University, and Doctorate in Applied Psychology from Rutgers University’s Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology. He completed an APA Accredited Pre-Doctoral Internship at Sharp Mesa Vista Hospital in San Diego California. He then completed a Postdoctoral Fellowship in Forensic Psychology at Hackensack University Medical Center.

Dr. Roberta Scott, PhD

RethinkEd - VP of National Partnerships

Dr. Roberta Scott is a distinguished passionate educator with 20 years of expertise in administration, counseling, leadership and teaching. She is currently the new Vice President for National Partnership – RethinkED. Dr. Scott has successfully educated and empowered students to succeed despite their obstacles. Previously she served as the Director in Houston ISD, the 7th largest district in the nation, overseeing Mental and Behavioral Health initiatives. She helps lead efforts to dismantle the school to prison pipeline and build better lives for students affected by mental illness. She has experience working with districts across the country, where she supports emotional, psychological, and the social needs via a Multi-Tiered System of Supports to decrease disproportionality amongst black and brown students and increase academic performance at K-16.

Kate Dolan-Cheney, MA, CCC-SLP

NYC Dept. of Ed. - Director of ASD Programs

A speech language pathologist by training, Kate has worked with children on the spectrum for 27 years in a variety of medical and educational settings in New York City.  While with the NYCDOE, Kate has worked as a speech language pathologist in both D75 and community schools.  Before joining the Central ASD Programs Team in 2016, Kate worked in an ASD Nest Program as a speech pathologist providing social development intervention for Nest students.  

Kate is a graduate of St. John’s University where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education, and her Master of Arts degree in Speech Language Pathology.  Additionally, Kate has a special interest in yoga, establishing a weekly yoga program for special needs children on Long Island.