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Sarah Vlachakis, M.A., B.C.B.A. - Director (Bradshaw Center Based Program / Giving Tree Preschool)Sarah received her Master’s degree in Educational Counseling from the University of San Francisco in 2006. In addition, she holds a certificate in Applied Behavior Analysis and has completed the coursework to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst exam in August. She began working with children in 1998 as a swim instructor, where she first became exposed to teaching children on the spectrum. Since then, Sarah has worked with children in a variety of settings, including as a therapist in a local high school providing free counseling to teens. She came to work at Advance Kids in 2005, starting as a school aide and in-home tutor. Sarah has worked as a Behavioral Consultant in the In-Home, Educational Services, and Center Based Departments, and currently holds the position of Director at the Bradshaw Center and Giving Tree Preschool.
Laura Watkins - Assistant to DirectorLaura joined Advance Kids as a tutor in the Bradshaw Center Based Program in January 2009. She immediately developed a passion for the field of Autism and providing ABA based services. She was promoted to Floating Tutor to the Natomas Center Based Program and Bradshaw Center Based Program in 2011. It was while floating between different departments that Laura began to appreciate the business side of Advance Kids. After receiving her Bachelors degree in Psychology Laura was promoted to Executive Assistant to the Bradshaw Center Based Department. As the Executive Assistant Laura enjoys serving Advance Kids employees and parents with the aim of these efforts to benefit the children we serve.
Osvaldo Barragan - Front DeskOsvaldo 'Polito' Barragan moved to Sacramento from Oakland to join his family in working at Advance Kids in August 2008. He began working within the maintenance department and worked his way up to a Front Desk Administrative Assistant, where he assists in the day to day needs of the Bradshaw Center based department.
Richelle Adams - Speech PathologistRichelle received her Master's degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Brigham Young University in 1991. Before coming to California in 2000, she worked as a speech pathologist in Nebraska and Kentucky. She has had extensive experience working with the preschool population in a variety of educational and hospital home-health settings. She is very excited to have joined the Advance Kids team.
Susannah Fox, M.A., B.C.B.A.- Assistant Director/Supervising Behavior ConsultantSusannah joined Advance Kids in October of 2005 as an in-home tutor. She has worked with a wide variety of children on the autism spectrum. In June of 2006, Susannah worked as a tutor at the Natomas Center Based Program while earning her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from California State University, Sacramento and accomplished her degree in May of 2007. After receiving her Bachelor's degree, Susannah worked in the positions of lead tutor and behavior consultant at the Natomas Center Based Program. In 2008, Susannah was promoted to a supervisor position. In 2010, Susannah received a Master of Arts in Teaching and a certificate for completing the Applied Behavior Analysis courses. Susannah credits the children she works with for giving her a priceless learning experience about life.
Jill Bonetti, B.A.(M.A. in progress) - Supervising Behavior ConsultantJill earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences with minors in Psychology and Human Development from California State University, Monterey Bay in 2005 and is currently working toward her combination Masters degree in Special Education and Special Education Teaching Credential, along with coursework for Board Certification for Behavior Analysis. She is expecting to sit for the Board Certified Behavior Analyst exam in 2011. Jill’s sister, Julie, was diagnosed with autism in 1986 at a time when special services were relatively scarce, leading Jill to dedicate her career to the field of special education and services for individuals with autism. Since childhood, Jill has been involved in the autism and special needs communities as both a family member and a service provider and she continues to work toward ensuring the highest possible quality of service for clients and families within this population. Experiences as a volunteer (SibShop, M.I.N.D. Institute, Canine Companions for Independence), clinician, behavior technician, tutor, and special education teacher have given Jill the skills needed to utilize her position as Supervising Behavior Consultant to enhance the life of each client through clinical effectiveness and enriching relationships.
Diana Shueller, B.A.(M.A in progress) - Behavior ConsultantDiana graduated from Northern Illinois University with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Communication. Diana joined the Advance Kids team in February 2009 after relocating from her hometown of Rockford, Illinois. She began her career at Advance Kids as a Center Based tutor at the Bradshaw center and was promoted to a Lead School Aide in the Educational Services Department in February 2010. In April 2011, Diana returned to the Bradshaw Center and was promoted to Behavior Consultant. Prior to joining Advance Kids, Diana had several years of experience providing respite care to children with Autism. She is pursuing a Masters in Teaching and certification in Applied Behavior Analysis. Diana will graduate in Spring 2011, and plans to sit for the BCBA exam in 2012.
Grace Irvine, B.A. (M.A. in progress), Behavior ConsultantGrace received her BA degree in Sociology from UCD in 2006. She began working with children with autism in 2005 when she discovered Advance Kids through an internship class at UCD. Since that time her interest in Applied Behavior Analysis has grown, as has her passion for working with children. Grace is currently pursing her MA in Psychology from Brandman University and plans on becoming a therapist for children.
Helen Chow, M.S. - Behavior Consultant
Jennifer Glenn, B.A., M.S. - Behavior ConsultantJennifer was born and raised in Beaufort, South Carolina and was influenced at a young age to help others and volunteer with those in need. She went on to obtain a Master’s of Science in Art Therapy from Florida State University in 2007. As both a volunteer and professional, she has worked with children in a variety of settings including: child care centers, special needs schools, inpatient psychological hospitals, and school counseling centers. During her graduate internships she had the opportunity to work with children on the autism spectrum and with other special needs. It was then that she experienced the diverse needs and gifts of these children. In November 2009 she relocated from Tallahassee, Florida to join the Advance Kids team as a center-based tutor. Jennifer was promoted to the Behavioral Consultant position in March of 2011. She is passionate about preparing our children for optimal independence and achievement in their next phase of learning.
Victoria Zimmerle, B.B.S. - Behavior ConsultantVictoria received her BBS in Psychology from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo in 2010. She began working with children in her teens as a soccer coach and volunteer school aid. During her time at Cal Poly she worked with children and families escaping domestic violence as a Summer Program Coordinator and Children's services Provider. Victoria began working with children with autism in 2010 when she discovered Advance Kids at a community advocacy function. As a tutor with Advance Kids, her passion for ABA blossomed into a drive to establish a career in the field. Victoria plans to pursue her Masters in Psychology and obtain her BCBA certification. She has been a Behavior Consultant with Advance Kids since July 2011.
Aimee Hill - Lead TutorAimee’s previous work experience includes teaching preschool for 5 years and providing additional intervention services for children ranging in age from 6 weeks to 12 years. She joined Advance Kids in August of 2007 as a Center Based tutor. In November of 2008 Aimee was promoted to a Floating Lead Tutor. She has accrued college credits in Early Childhood Education. Aimee looks forward to returning to school to earn her BA.
Angela Carnes - Lead TutorAngela has worked in the ABA field for 9 years. She worked as a school aid in a classroom for children with Autism. She has also worked in an Independent living skills program for teenagers between the ages of 10-18. This program taught self help skills in the classroom and in the community. In addition, she worked in an infant toddler program, providing early intervention with children with Autism, as a Behavior Technician. She will attend American River College in the spring and transfer to a four year college. She intends to finish her B.A. in Psychology.
Melinda Gonzalez - Lead Tutor (Bio Coming Soon)
Nelson Sheya, B.A.- Lead Tutor
Christy Daniel, M.S., B.C.B.A. - Director of District Center Based ProgramChristy joined the Advance Kids team as a tutor in 2004. She worked as a lead tutor within the In Home services and Educational Services department as an inclusion aide. Christy was quickly promoted to a behavior consultant position at the Natomas Center Based Program in 2006. In 2007, Christy was promoted to supervisor at the Natomas Center Based Program and was integral in expanding the growth of the Natomas Center Based Program. She received a Master of Science Degree in Counseling with a specialization in School Counseling in 2008. In 2010, Christy received a certificate for completing the Applied Behavior Analysis courses.
Marie Olives - Assistant to DirectorMarie joined the Advance Kids' team in February of 2008. Prior to joining Advance Kids, Marie worked in retail management for many years where she honed her managerial and customer service skills. In the time she has worked with Advance Kids, Marie has served as the front desk receptionist, the Assistant to the Director of Educational Services and the Assistant to the Director of In-home Services. Marie works closely with clinical staff to identify specific client needs and to support tutors working in the field. In addition, Marie works with the training department to develop appropriate placements of tutors requiring assignments to maximize their level of training. Due to Marie’s methodical approach to management, additional responsibilities continue to be awarded to her; and she has taken great pride in knowing that her support helps positively impact the families Advance Kids serves.
Nina Triana, M.A. - Facility ManagerNina holds a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Psychology from the University of Padjadjaran, Indonesia and a Masters Degree in Early Childhood Education from California State University, Sacramento. Before joining Advance Kids, she taught preschool for two years and worked as a Research Assistant at the Department of Pediatrics, UCD and the California Department of Education. In September 2005, she joined Advance Kids as an in-home tutor and in June 2007, was promoted to senior lead tutor and quickly promoted to a facility manager at our Natomas Center Based Program. Working with children is Nina’s passion, and she enjoys watching them grow through each new stage of learning.
Brittney Keeler, B.A.- Supervising ConsultantBrittney joined the clinical staff of Advance Kids in 2006. As an In-Home and Center- Based Tutor she was exposed to variety of challenging and rewarding experiences. Through these opportunities she realized that working with special needs children was the only path of life she could see herself taking. After finishing her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies at California State University, Sacramento, she was promoted to the Behavior Consultant position where she will continue to grow and learn about the field of Applied Behavior Analysis. Brittney plans to continue her education by obtaining her Masters degree in Applied Behavior Analysis and obtaining her BCBA so that she may acquire more skills to help improve the lives of the children who have touched her heart.
Andrea Garcia, M.A. - Behavior ConsultantAndrea graduated from California State University, Sacramento with a Bachelor’s degree in Child Development. She taught preschool for three years and then started working at Advance Kids as a tutor in 2008. Andrea is currently taking courses at National University to receive a Master’s in Teaching with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis. Andrea plans to sit for the BCBA exam in 2011 to become a board certified behavior analyst.
Jackie Miller, B.A. - Behavior ConsultantJackie Miller started her career with Advance Kids in April 2008. She began working with Children with Autism in 2006 as an in-home tutor. Jackie quickly found that she wanted to pursue a career in the ABA field. She has experience working in a preschool, with at-risk youth, and currently runs a youth program for 12-14 year olds. Jackie obtained her Bachelor’s degree in December 2007 from California State University, Sacramento and plans to further her education with a Master's degree in child development in the near future. She is looking forward to seeing what her future holds with Advance Kids.
Kayla Thomas, M.A. - Behavior ConsultantKayla joined the Advance Kids Natomas Center Based Program as a Tutor in June, 2008. She earned her Bachelor’s degree in psychology and Art Therapy. Kayla worked for the Kansas Medical Assistance Program where she began working in-home with children diagnosed with autism. Her dedication and passion has given her the opportunity to be promoted to Lead Tutor and then to a Behavior Consultant. In 2010, Kayla received a Master of Arts in teaching and a certificate for completing the Applied Behavior Analysis courses.
Melinda Hollenkamp, B.A. - Behavior ConsultantMelinda joined the Advance Kids team in July 2006 where she started out as an in home tutor. In 2008, she transferred to the Natomas Center Based program and was promoted to a lead tutor in March of 2009. Melinda is currently attending Sacramento State University and will receive her B.A. in Psychology in May of 2011. She hopes to continue in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis while continuing to change lives.
Tiffany Lee, M.A., B.C.B.A. - Behavior ConsultantTiffany joined the Advance Kids team in February 2008 as a Sacramento center based tutor. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Exercise Biology and Psychology from the University of California at Davis. Tiffany was promoted to a lead tutor position in September of 2008 at the Natomas Center Based Program and promoted to a behavior consultant in December 2008. . In 2010, Tiffany received a Master of Arts in teaching and a certificate for completing the Applied Behavior Analysis courses.
Brandy Molina, M.A.- Lead TutorBrandy graduated from California State University, Sacramento in May of 2004 with a B.A. in Child Development. Shortly after graduation Brandy began working in ABA programs for children with Autism and has been doing so for 5 years. She joined the Advance Kids team in February 2009 as a tutor in the Natomas Center Based Program and was promoted to Lead Tutor in January of 2010. Brandy is currently working toward her Master’s Degree in Teaching with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis and will take the board certification exam in the spring of 2011.
Stefanie Fitzgerald, B.A. (M.A. in progress) - Lead TutorStefanie began working with children with autism as an undergraduate in Psychology at California State University Sacramento. After being introduced to the field in 2008 she fell in love with helping kids and decided to make a career of it. She graduated in May 2010 with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Sociology and began working with the Advance Kids team shortly after in June 2010. She is currently getting her Masters in Teaching with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis and plans on becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst to help in the lives of many children and their families.