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Adults with Autism tend to be the most underserved age group for people on the spectrum. “The Cliff” is a term described as the drop off from Autism services as they enter adulthood. We are continually seeking to close that gap by providing engaging activities for the Adult population to interact with as they find their place within the community. Our Adult Social Club serves over 500 participants with Autism yearly and is continually growing.
Having our adult participants plan and organize this club would provide inclusive insight into what the adult population in our area specifically want and need. Our participants use their unique set of skills and find empowerment by expressing their opinions, creativity, and advice for the Adult Social Clubs. Having this board ensures that our advocates’ voices are being heard and the population we are serving are successfully provided for the way they want to be provided for. Having Autistic voices heard is one of the most fought for things in the Autism community and the Autism Advisory Board serves to bridge the gaps our community so desperately needs.
Staff
Kate Elliott, MSW
Position: Executive Director
Experience: Kate joined the Autism Society of Southern Arizona’s team in 2022 after being a group participant and volunteering with the agency for years.
She earned her Master’s in Social Work from the University of Chicago with a specialization in Family support and worked managing a Family Support Program and later worked with families at the Domestic Violence Alternative Center at the Juvenile courts.
She has two Autistic children and is excited to bring her experience and love for the Autistic community to support the families and individuals in our programs while strengthening the Autistic community, advocating and promoting Allyship in southern Arizona.
Autism Connection: Autistic self advocate and mother of a son diagnosed at 8 and daughter diagnosed at 3. Kate tirelessly studies everything related to Autism.
Expertise: Program development, community engagement, family support, grant writing, project management, fundraising, board development, financial management, and human resources.
Jade Munsey
Position: Associate Director
Experience: Jade participated in ASSA’s programs and joined the team in 2023. She worked as a registered behavior technician. Received Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology in Applied Behavior Analysis and is constantly challenging herself on what the behavior sciences truly represent. She has co-developed and trained Arizona’s state-wide crisis intervention team on Autism sensory needs. Certified life coach. Certified in Mental Health First Aid. Organizes social groups for Adults with Autism. Facilitated Peer-to-peer support groups and Parent Peer support groups. She has won grants for Autism Advisory Board funding and is very proud of her Advocacy work through out the state of Arizona.
Autism Connection: Is a boy mom of three very smart, funny, and hardworking boys. She found her passion for Autism after her first son was diagnosed on the spectrum. Years later she was surprisingly (to her) diagnosed with being on the spectrum as well. Jade has been a committed learner to all things Autism for the last 8 years.
Expertise: Advocacy work, program development, accounting assistance, grant writing, and marketing.
Officers
Courtney Broome
Board Role: President and Governance Committee Chair
Professional job: Senior Director of Clinical Services at Hope Inc. Hope Inc is a Peer and Family Run Specialty Provider of Behavioral Health Services. Every employee at HOPE is either a peer or a family member who is dedicated to a unique model of service delivery that focuses on a team approach to recovery. In his role, he oversees all clinical services for the Southern Arizona agency.
Autism Connection: My autism connection is that I started out working at Intermountain Academy which serves children with autism. After working at the school, I fell in love with serving individuals with autism. I went back to school and get my master’s in special education with an emphasis on behavior support. After completing my degree, I became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst.
Expertise: Knowledge of behavioral health and physical health systems. I provide autism resources and referrals for families to get appropriate services. I also have knowledge of the insurance world as well.
Josh Anbar, DrPH, MPH
Board Role: Secretary and Internal Committee Chair
Professional job: ASU Professor
Autism connection: Individual diagnosed with Autism
Expertise: First-person experience with autism; public health; education
Affiliations: University of Arizona; Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health: American Public Health Association
Abigail Moraga
Board Role: Treasurer
Professional job: Contract Data Manager at Collins Aerospace
Autism connection: Interest in service to the autistic community
Expertise: Finance, Accounting, Data Management, and Health Insurance Knowledge
Directors
Eric Stark
Board Role: Director
Professional job: Senior Marketing Coordinator, Banner University Health Plans
Autism connection: He is an accomplished public speaker who openly shares his own lived experience facing and overcoming challenges including a diagnosis on the autism spectrum.
Expertise: He holds a JD degree from the Dickinson School of Law at Penn State and is a graduate of ASU’s School of Social Work – Tucson Campus with a Master’s in Social Work. In addition, Eric is also certified by the State of Arizona to provide peer support as a Recovery Support Specialist with over a decade of experience working in the behavioral health field.
Affiliations: Teaches self-advocacy skills and how to more effectively navigate the public healthcare system.
Diane Kent
Board Role: Director
Professional job: Director of EDvance, an educational support program designed to empower staff to advance the achievement of students with disabilities, Pima County School Superintendent’s Office.
Autism connection: Provided speech therapy to students with autism during 39-year career in public schools. Advocated for services and supports for students with autism as Assistant Director of Special Education in the Vail School District
Expertise: Communication Disorders
Catherine Riley, MD
Board Role: Director
Professional job: Developmental Pediatrician, Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics, University of Arizona
Affiliations: AZAAP medical director: Early Brain and Child Development
Autism connection: Medical provider
Expertise: medicine, education, and program development
FRANCES HOLGUIN, LMSW
Board Role: Director
Professional Job: Clinical Supervisor, Intermountain Centers, Autism Clinic; International Master Trainer, PAXIS Institute.
Autism Connection: Family member and works directly with individuals and families impacted by autism.
Expertise: In the behavioral health field since 2001. Therapy, Social Work, Program Management, Leadership, Training, Research.
Affiliations: Association of University Centers on Disabilities, National Training Directors Council; University of Arizona Pima County Cooperative Extension, Consultant; Arizona State University, Community Advisor
JOE SALKOWSKI
Board Role: Board Member
Professional job: Senior Director of Communications and Public Affairs at Tucson Electric Power.
Autism connection: An adult daughter with autism.
Expertise: Communications, public policy, and business management.
ELIZABETH WELCH, BCBA, LBA, SCFSP
Honorary Members
Pete Schwarz
Board Role: Honorary Director and Chair of the Affiliate Leadership Committee for Autism Society of America
Professional job: Tucson Branch Manager/Engineer (GHD)
Affiliations: former Advisory Committee member of Arizona Autism Coalition; former VP of Tucson Council of Arizona Autism Coalition; former Board Chairman of Tucson Alliance for Autism
Autism connection: son with autism
Expertise: management; strategic planning; advocacy
Courtney Henson
Board Role: Honorary Director
Professional job: Attorney (Snell & Wilmer)
Autism connection: none
Expertise: law, fund development
Lynda Weigel-Firor
Board Role: Honorary Member
Professional job: Consultant/Grant writer (Independent)
Autism connection: daughter with autism
Expertise: fund development; non-profit management
Jared Perkins
Board Role: Immediate Past President
Professional job: CEO of The Children’s Clinics
Affiliations: Governor’s Commission on ASD Member, Tucson’s Commission on Disabilities Issues Commissioner, Sonoran University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Community Advisory Member, Former President of Tucson Council of Arizona Autism Coalition.
Autism connection: Service Provider
Expertise: System change; behavioral health systems; strategic planning; management
Autism Advisory Board
