• Bachelor of Psychology from UC Santa Cruz

  • CPR & First Aid Certification

  • ACRE Supported Employment Certification

  • Trained by the National Association of Direct Support Professionals

  • Experience directing a Tailored Day program

  • Experience teaching vocational skills to adults with I/DD in community and classroom settings

  • Personal knowledge from lived experience as a caregiver for someone with high support needs

What I Bring To the Table

My style of service offers an organic, upbeat, and relaxed approach to community support. I encourage my clients to get curious about what they want from their time and, as the name suggests, to try something new now and again. By spending our time in the community, clients can learn about themselves and the community gets to learn from them. If that sounds interesting to you, then I might be the Direct Support Professional for you!

How I Got Started

Before I began my work in disability support services, I knew the North County I/DD community through my own family. My younger brother has navigated the public school system, the medical system, the social security system, and later the Self Determination system as he entered young adulthood. I saw firsthand the hoops my family had to jump through to get him the services he needed, and how limited his options were.

Once I obtained my Bachelor of Psychology from UC Santa Cruz, I came home to North County and began my work at a grassroots disability services non-profit. For the first time, I got to see how these services operated from the inside, and how many hoops service providers had to jump through to offer quality support. Furthermore I saw how young adults with I/DD had limited options beyond traditional day programs.

I knew I could do better, and so in 2025 I decided to start Something New. Operating as a business of one, I get to provide flexibility, customization, and quality service for clients without the administrative hassle of larger programs. It’s just you and me, reaching your goals together.

Why I Started Something New : Everyone Needs Their Village

When I worked in a traditional day program, I kept noticing the same pattern.

My clients’ were often socially segregated from their communities by design. Many were unable to drive or use public transport safely, and found themselves housebound much of the time or dependent on close family. Once out in the community, often traffic hazards prevented them from walking around safely without support. They were treated as “eternal children,” forever dependent on their families or caregivers. Furthermore, when my clients’ couldn’t access their community, the community never learned how to be accessible. It’s a cycle where everyone loses, so I decided to start Something New.

With so many services focused on employment, or “passing the time,” we often forget the other important roles in our lives. In trying Something New, clients have an opportunity to be more than the role of “dependent” or “employee”. They can be a pillar in their community, a regular at their favorite spot, a friendly face, a helping hand, or a great friend. These roles have value, but are often overlooked when skill building. When we focus on these skills for people with disabilities, we address the massive issue of loneliness many adults with I/DD face. And our communities get the chance to question themselves, learn, and grow stronger.

The neighborhood coffee shop owner, in connecting with one of my clients, might notice that their music blasting is keeping autistic customers from enjoying their shop. The bowling alley manager might realize the flashing strobe lights has been driving away bowlers with epilepsy. A regular at the local sports bar, in befriending another regular with an I/DD, might question why they don’t have more friends with I/DD. They might wonder where else their new friend cannot go, or how many wonderful people with I/DD they have never gotten to know.

Everyone needs their village, and inclusivity makes your village stronger.