Roberta Judge

10 Trudeau Truths with Clinical Supervisor and Special Educator Roberta Judge

Published/updated April 20, 2025

You know them as the educators, caregivers and leaders who work to keep everything running smoothly so that our clients at the Trudeau Memorial Center can have the best experience possible. But what are they like when they’re off the clock? 

Here’s a chance to get a more personal look at the people who make up the team at Trudeau… 10 questions at a time. 

Meet Roberta Judge, Clinical Supervisor and Special Educator at Trudeau’s Early Intervention Program for an impressive 25 years! Growing up with siblings who have special needs inspired Roberta’s dedicated career path, where she finds joy in supporting families to feel “welcome, respected, and supported” while helping children thrive. She starts every single day with 45 minutes of exercise and loves spending weekends at the beach with her three children and two fur babies. This suspense thriller fan and Italian food enthusiast dreams of visiting New Zealand’s breathtaking landscapes someday. Roberta’s most memorable Trudeau moment was when a father, leaving the program, turned to her and said, “now I know it’s going to be ok” – capturing the essence of her meaningful work empowering parents to advocate for their children.

Read on to learn more about Roberta in this edition of 10 Trudeau Truths!

10 Trudeau Truths with Roberta Judge

1. What inspired you to pursue a career in human services?

I was raised in a large family with some siblings who have special needs. I grew up watching my parents advocate for them and being very present in their services. In college, I was interested in education but also human services. I decided to major in special education but continued to also be interested in more closely supporting people/families. After graduating, and long-term substituting for a little while, I was browsing the “help-wanted” listings in the Providence Journal newspaper when I saw the job description of “Early Intervention Case Manager” which sounded like a perfect fit! I interviewed during Hurricane Bob (1991), was hired and worked for eight years for Family Resources (now Community Care Alliance in Woonsocket, RI.) I left there in 1999 to come to work at Trudeau Center in Early Intervention. I then became a clinical supervisor in November of 2017. 

I reside in Cranston with my three older children. 

2. What do you find most rewarding about your job?

There are so many rewarding parts of the job. I love the interaction with people (other staff), families and their children throughout each day. It is a privilege that families have chosen Trudeau Center to work with their family and we need to be mindful of that. I strive to make their experience with our program a positive one in which they feel welcome, respected, supported, and in which families and their children can thrive despite challenges. It’s important that they feel well prepared in advocating for their child after leaving our program. 

There are so many skills on the job that can’t be taught in the (college) classroom. I have learned so much over the years through my work experiences that I feel encompass best practices in working with families and children with developmental concerns. I enjoy working daily in my role as a clinical supervisor to support staff in their work with families and share what I have learned over the years, hoping to have a positive influence on quality programing.  

I also enjoy my work with other administrative staff, and I am committed to helping to identify ways of making our staff’s job duties manageable.  

3. Can you describe a memorable moment or success story from your time working at Trudeau?

One of the most memorable moments in my time at Trudeau Center was when a family who had been quite involved with our program and were very concerned about their child, was leaving the center after their final visit in Early Intervention at our center (previously located on Commonwealth Ave.) Both parents attended the child’s group session to say good-bye to the team and the child’s father turned around while exiting through the door, looked at me and said, “now I know it’s going to be ok.”  It is equally important that when parents leave our program, they feel they have learned a lot and have the tools they need to advocate for their child in the future, as it is how much the child has progressed.  

4. What’s something about people with differing abilities (or working with them) that you wish other people knew or better understood?

Every person has unique strengths and weaknesses, regardless of their level of functioning or educational degrees. It’s so exciting and rewarding to see a people who must work a lot harder to “get there” make gains. People with developmental concerns bring joy to others every day and have a lot to offer.  It’s our job to help them succeed and find what it is that they can excel at.  

5. What’s your favorite way to spend a weekend?

My favorite way to spend a weekend is a great day at the beach and ice cream/food on the way home. I really enjoy seasonal/traditional activities and any outdoor activity. I enjoy seeing family, friends and spending time with my three children (17-year-old twins-Anna and Daniel and a 20 year old-Luke.)  I appreciate sunny days, the ocean, mountains, hiking and being active. I have a growing appreciation for beautiful sunrises and sunsets and capturing them in photos. I don’t care for being indoors for too long.  

6. Favorite book, movie, and/or TV show.

I am a fan of suspense thrillers and true crime shows, trying to solve the mystery and I’m intrigued by human behavior. In the past I have enjoyed Dean Koontz novels and enjoy dramas (movies.)  

7. Do you have any pets?

I have a cat Lexi (Torti shell) and a small dog, Ruby (black lab/terrier mix.) They are both mama’s girls but love their siblings too. I was always a cat person until my kids convinced me to get a dog. Then I “got it!”  

8. What’s your favorite food?

I typically eat dinner out once a weekend. It is always the quest to find the best Italian restaurant. I grew up in a household with parents cooking to feed ten children, so it was more about volume than creating a delicacy.

9. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

I would love to visit New Zealand because of its variety of breathtaking landscapes (glaciers, mountains, beaches, volcanic land), wildlife, great food and it’s known for its cleanliness, safety, and health system and education along with positive work/life balance. A family member had traveled there and it sounds/looks beautiful. 

10. What’s a fun fact about you that most people don’t know?

 I start my day very early, every day, exercising for 45 minutes in each morning before work without missing a day. I believe that exercise helps everything, mental and physical health, but it must be routine. It is so easy to fall out of exercising by taking a break from it and not resuming.