My name is Andrea Stratton, and I am the new Medicaid service coordinator at Options for Independence. My job is to work with people with developmental disabilities to make sure that their medical, therapeutic and other needs are being met. It is a job that lets me work one-on-one with great people.

It's wonderful to come back to my home town to make a difference for the people of Cayuga County. I am a proud Auburn native and graduate of Auburn High School in 2002.

Like a lot of young people, I didn't know what career path I wanted to follow after graduation, so I took a year off from school. I found a job at the Gavras Center as a residential habilitation specialist and fell in love with the human service field.

Having found my calling, I enrolled at Cayuga Community College and earned my associate degree in 2006.

From there I transferred to Buffalo State College to pursue a bachelor's degree in social work. I plan to continue my education at Syracuse University in the masters of social work program.

While at Buffalo State, I was able to intern with the New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

For a student of social work, this was great training because I got to work with Child Protective Services and various other agencies within the Buffalo area. I gained invaluable insights into the field at the state and local levels.

On a more personal level, I am an avid baseball fan and proud inhabitant of the Yankees Universe. (Don't worry, this allegiance won't get in the way of working with any citizens of Red Sox Nation out there.) I am currently planning a trip with my dad, Paul; sister, Mary, and brother, Hector, to catch a game at “The Stadium” in its final season.

As much as I look forward to this trip to the Bronx, my real passion is for the outdoors. There is nothing better than waking up to fresh air, then hiking up the beautiful Black Bear Mountain. I am a true outdoors woman and love to fish, camp, hike, kayak and golf. Every year I travel to the Adirondacks Region. Recently I have been lucky enough to stay in Inlet, just outside of Old Forge.

Of course, coming home has the benefit of being close to Ithaca and all the great hiking trails around Buttermilk Falls.

Auburn is an exciting place these days. The arts scene is incredibly vibrant and I am thrilled to see places like the Auburn Public Theater opening up as a venue for local talent, like my friends in the band Carnindyle.

Over the last six years, I have had the privilege of working with many agencies that are dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals with special needs, but being able to do this here at Options is very special.

I am anxious to get to work.

Andrea Stratton is the Medicaid services coordinator at Options for Independence. She can be reached at 255-3447.