In her role at the Maine Department of Education, Dara collaborates broadly with early interventionists, clinical and social services community partners, and state-level initiatives to support best-possible outcomes for Maine’s young children. This includes strengthening awareness of individualized benefits available to young children and families, helping to ensure healthy early development and learning. Dara previously served as project manager for infant and maternal substance use prevention coordination at the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. In Massachusetts, Dara was an advocate for newborn developmental care – specifically for substance-exposed newborns – as well as a volunteer cuddler for substance-exposed infants.
Dara graduated from the University of Vermont, completed her graduate degree at Boston University, and attended the Salt Institute for Documentary Studies at Maine College of Art.