Melissa Passarelli serves as the Associate Director of Implementation and System-Building at the Help Me Grow National Center. Prior to this role, Melissa served as the Director of Programs at Docs for Tots where she directed HMG Long Island, acted as the local Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems Grant (ECCS) team lead, provided technical assistance to physicians and other providers on implementing screening initiatives, coordinated HMG efforts across New York State, and served as CDC’s Act Early Ambassador for New York State from 2019-2022. Melissa has an MA in International Disaster Psychology from the University of Denver and a BA in Psychology and Public Policy from The George Washington University. During her education she trained as a trauma therapist and helped establish Denver’s Trauma & Disaster Recovery Clinic, as well as worked for non-profits such as First Book that focused on promoting equitable opportunities and outcomes for all.
