ELIJA Foundation Appoints Melissa Negrin-Wiener to Board

Levittown Nonprofit Serving those with Autism Spectrum Disorder Taps Melville Attorney

Levittown/Melville, NY, February 19, 2021 – The ELIJA Foundation, a Levittown-based not-for-profit, serving children, young adults and their parents, educators, professionals, and caregivers affected by an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), has appointed Melissa Negrin-Wiener to its Board of Directors. Ms. Negrin-Wiener, an attorney concentrating her practice in the areas of asset protection, Medicaid eligibility planning, estate planning, special needs planning, mediation, guardianships and Veteran benefits, is a partner at Cona Elder Law in Melville.

“I’ve been privileged to counsel families seeking to protect individuals with special needs,” said Ms. Negrin-Wiener. “Through that work, I discovered ELIJA and the amazing programs they have for those with Autism Spectrum Disorders. I consider this appointment an extraordinary honor and I am excited to help ELIJA help others.”

A native of Smithtown and resident of East Setauket, Ms. Negrin-Wiener joined Cona Elder Law in 2002. During her tenure, she has been among the most visible and decorated attorneys on Long Island, known for presiding over innumerable seminars and webinars as well as making frequent media appearances to share her legal expertise. A past president of the Suffolk County Women’s Bar Association, she currently serves as co-chair of the Health and Wellness Committee at the Hauppauge Industrial Association (HIA-LI). Among many accolades and professional recognitions, she has been selected as one of Long Island’s “Top 50 Women in Business” and “40 under 40 Rising Stars” by Long Island Business News, a “Top Lawyer” by Long Island Herald, and was honored as an “Outstanding Woman in Law” by her alma mater, Hofstra University Maurice A. Deane School of Law. She holds an AVVO rating of 10.0.

“We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Melissa to the board,” said Debora Thivierge, Chief Executive Officer, ELIJA School, Foundation, Farm & TPS. “The combination of her impressive career accomplishments and obvious devotion to our cause made her appointment an easy decision. The fact that Cona Elder Law has been an ardent supporter of our work means she’ll also bring a great familiarity and knowledge of our culture to her new post.”

Ms. Negrin-Wiener’s term begins immediately.

 About ELIJA Foundation, School and Farm: The ELIJA Foundation is a not-for-profit organization serving parents, educators, professionals, and caregivers of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) by providing the community with educational opportunities that focus on improving the quality of programs and services available to children with ASD. In 2006, the ELIJA School opened, enrolling children with ASD aged 3-21 who cannot be served in their available public school settings. In 2016, ELIJA purchased a 10- acre farm in South Huntington to create a sustainable future for transitioning adults with autism. In 2017, the ELIJA Farm launched its community supported agriculture (CSA) program where students and adults with autism play a daily role in the productivity of the farm. Visit www.ELIJA.org.

About Cona Elder Law PLLC: Cona Elder Law PLLC is an award-winning law firm concentrating in the areas of elder law, estate planning, estate administration and litigation, and health care law. Cona Elder Law takes a holistic approach to elder law, providing support and resources for older adults and caregivers, and maintaining long-term, partnering relationships with clients to provide the best solutions for multiple generations. The firm has been ranked the #1 Elder Law Firm by Long Island Business News for eight consecutive years and received the Business Achievement Award from the Hauppauge Industrial Association (HIA-LI).  For additional information, visit www.conaelderlaw.com.