EDUCATIONAL SERVICES STAFF

Jessica Adge, B.A. - Director of Educational Services

Jessica graduated from California State University, Sacramento with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. She has always had the strong desire to work with children, and when she joined the company in January of 2007, she quickly realized her passion and talent for working with children with developmental disabilities. She has worked with children on the spectrum both in their homes and in the school environment; she has held positions in the company including Tutor, Lead School Aide, Educational Consultant and most recently Assistant Director of Educational Services. Jessica feels most satisfied professionally working with children in a school classroom environment targeting growth in academics, socialization and independence. She will earn her Masters in Teaching in December of 2009 as well as her certification in Applied Behavior Analysis.

Mission Statement: To be an influential part of each child's educational and social success in their school environments.

Marie Olives - Assistant to Director

Marie 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.

Mission Statement: To provide the highest level of support to my colleagues and our tutoring staff so they can have the most significant impact on the families they serve.

Maureen Hillel, M.A., B.C.B.A. - Supervising Educational Consultant

Maureen graduated with honors earning her bachelor’s degree in psychology, from CSU, Chico in 2004. Maureen has enjoyed working with children diagnosed with autism and other developmental disabilities since she began volunteering in high school. She worked as a 4th and 5th grade special educator in a non-public school in the Sacramento area for 3 years and worked abroad with children with developmental disabilities on the Mannheim, Germany Army Base as a summer camp counselor. Maureen joined the Department of Educational Services at Advance Kids in the summer of 2008, and loves being part of a team dedicated to the success of children with developmental disabilities in school. Maureen received her Master of Arts degree in Teaching in December of 2009 and passed the exam to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst on September 30, 2010.

Mission Statement: To assist children in reaching their potential as students, as communicators, and as individuals.

Jennifer Bell, M.A. - Educational Consultant

Jennifer graduated from California State University, Sacramento with a Bachelor's degree in Child Development and holds a Master's degree from San Francisco State University. Prior to joining Advance Kids in 2009 Jennifer worked as an in-home behavior consultant in the Bay Area. Jennifer will complete her certification in Applied Behavior Analysis in December of 2010 and hopes to sit for the exam to become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in 2011. Jennifer loves being a part of the Educational Services department and helping children achieve independence and success in the classroom.

Mission Statement: To provide to the very best of my ability the highest level of suppport to my clients in order to equip them with the skills necessary to succeed and achieve.

Michelle Zozaya, M.S. - Educational Consultant

Michelle graduated from the University of California, Davis with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology in 2005 and a Masters degree in Child Development in 2009. She has worked with adults in a psychiatric state hospital, and more recently, with atypically developing and at-risk children and families. Prior to joining Advance Kids in July 2009, Michelle worked as a Graduate Student Researcher studying parent-child relationships and children's social development in early childhood. Currently, Michelle is pursuing a Specialist in Education degree (Ed.S.) at California State University, Sacramento, in the field of School Psychology. As a Behavior Consultant in the Educational Services department, Michelle is dedicated to supporting children with developmental disabilities by promoting success and independence within the school setting.

Mission Statement: To support children in enhancing their social and communication skills and promote independence in the school environment.

Amy Meredith, A.A.(B.A. in progress) - Lead School Aide

In 2009 Amy earned her Associates Degree in Social Sciences from San Joaquin Delta College. Prior to joining the Advance Kids team, Amy worked with children for four years in an art studio. In 2008 her aspirations to work with children with developmental disabilities drew her to the field of ABA. Amy has been with Advance Kids since 2008 and has since gained experience as an In-Home Tutor, a Center Based Tutor in Natomas, and as a School Aide working in a 3rd and 4th grade classroom. Working with children diagnosed with developmental disabilities has motivated Amy to pursue a career in the field of applied behavior analysis and obtain her Bachelor's in Psychology.