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Heather Smith
I wish I could nominate Heather Smith for every single one of the first five hero categories, as I feel she truly empowers individuals to use their voice, helps clients overcome challenges to improve their quality of life, honors diversity, and advocates and breaks down barriers. However, because the Superhero category is the most expansive category, and because that’s how I think of Heather anyway, that’s the category I’d place her in. Heather is a bonafide superhero!
Even though Heather is not my kids’ service coordinator, I had heard from other parents how committed she is to her mission of helping people of all ages break down barriers and overcome challenges, so I took the plunge and called her. She didn’t have to take that call, but she did, and she immediately impressed me with her professionalism, compassion, and knowledgeability. She asked great questions and took the time to ask me how we in our family were all doing emotionally. Then, after listening, she generously shared a wealth of great resources with me, many of which I hadn’t even heard of before. She even called back after our conversation to give me the name of another resource my child could try using! I felt so full of hope after that call; it really got the ball moving for us. I am happy to report that my adult child is now doing really well and starting to make the moves that I know will ensure her future success.
I can’t say enough good things about Heather. I get the feeling she really loves her work, so in a way, I guess she is already awarded for the work she does. However, because she is such a star, I didn’t want to let this opportunity pass to nominate her for the official recognition as a Superhero!
Lisa Ludlow
Lisa currently works at Mains’l Services as a Support Coordinator for the ILS Department. During her year of employment, Lisa has gone above and beyond to serve our community. She has built strong relationships with each of the people that we support. She is always finding innovative ways to help them reach their goals and to help them live as independently as possible. Lisa has a go-getter attitude, is very passionate, and brings so many creative ideas to help others. Her dedication to the people that we support is outstanding. She’s a wiz at connecting others with community resources and she is a huge advocate for everyone. Any opportunity to volunteer or to make a difference, She’s the first person to jump in. Lisa never backs down from a challenging circumstance and always manages to find the calm in the storm. Our whole team is so thankful for Lisa and for all that she does. Lisa is definitely a superhero!
Dan Strauss
Dan is very knowledgeable and kind. He goes out of his way to let others know about all that is going on in and around the disability world. He does this by letting others into his ideas and thoughts in a caring way.
Tasha Ward
Tasha goes out of her way to provide the best support to her clients. She respects professional boundaries. At the same time, she is curious and fun to be around. She still really gets to know the people she supports and their individual needs. Then she helps people to get the services that are best for them.
She doesn’t rescue. That’s for puppies in the pound.
She gives people the space they need to be ready for the positive changes they need in their lives.
Tasha understands when we give her “that signal” that we need her to step in. I have received support from other providers, but no one has supported me to be an adult and make my own decisions, like she does.
I don’t know how she does it, but she is part of many other groups through Far Northern.
One of the people I work with told me he was sick and couldn’t get his groceries. Tasha stepped in to make sure he had the groceries he needed, until he got better and could do it his self. Tasha is the best!
Ximena Prado
Mena Prado is a Bilingual Service Coordinator at FNRC for the Self-Determination Program (SDP). I support individuals that are served by FNRC and working with a man who is in SDP and Mena is his service coordinator. The man is going through some rough times and requested assistance from her to help him explore service changes, specifically Supported Living Services. I was asked to contact Mena, on his behalf, as I’m his friend and advocate. I left a message with Mena and within minutes, she returned my call. Mena was incredibly informative, professional, patiently listened to me and my questions regarding the man we both support. I was impressed with her knowledge, creative ideas, and proactive approach to supporting him. I’m so happy she is my friend’s service coordinator and FNRC is lucky to have such a productive and professional employee on their team. Mena reminds me why I got into this field and what a difference we can make when we work together. Hands down, Mena is a hero and most definitely an Advocacy Hero!!
Mary Joseph
Mary recognized that Tribal families were struggling to get appropriate services through the Individual Education Plan (IEP) process for their youth. Mary reached out to State Council for advice and to better understand the IEP process for tribal youth. Mary was open to working with State Council to coordinate and provide an IEP training for Tribal Members in Plumas County.
Tiphanie Lopez
Tiphanie is the teacher at Glenn County Office of Education Adult Program for our students aged18-22. I have only worked in her classroom for a year, but in that time I have witnessed Ms. Lopez creating specific and individual plans for each of her young adult students. She looks at their life, their needs, and their strengths in order to develop plans that will help them for the duration of their life, not just when they are her students. She emphasizes working on teaching her students their own potential and the right to their own voice. She is a fierce advocate for her students, modeling and encouraging them to fight for their own rights. She takes her responsibility as her students final stop at GCOE very seriously, and works to ensure that when they leave her, that they are safe and healthy and have learned to advocate for themselves.
Hannah Curcio
I am thrilled to nominate Hannah Curcio, Director of the Modoc County SELPA at Modoc County Office of Education, for the Far Northern Regional Center’s Celebration of Heroes: Everyday Hero recognition due to her exceptional and humble acts of kindness. Beyond her dedicated work in supporting students with disabilities, Hannah and her family actively contribute to the local community by championing sustainable farming and the community food hub. Her commitment to fostering a thriving local environment extends beyond her professional responsibilities.
Hannah’s everyday heroism is evident in various aspects of her role. She consistently attends Individualized Education Program (IEP) meetings, demonstrating her hands-on approach to student advocacy. Her adeptness in hiring and managing skilled staff reflects her commitment to creating a supportive educational environment. Moreover, she excels in collaboration across agencies, supporting administrative policies, and liaising with attorneys and specialists when needed. As a school psychologist, she goes above and beyond by actively engaging in Alternatives to Dispute resolution and meticulously assessing student learning and disabilities. Hannah’s multifaceted contributions make her a true everyday hero, deserving of this recognition.
Leslie Loader
I am honored to nominate Leslie Loader, Principal of Tulelake Basin Elementary and High Schools, for the Far Northern Regional Center’s Celebration of Heroes: Barrier Buster Hero recognition, celebrating her exceptional efforts in overcoming challenges to enhance the quality of life for students with disabilities. Leslie’s visionary leadership is evident as she spearheads the growth and development of the campuses under her care, all while navigating significant system changes within the district.
Leslie’s role as a Barrier Buster Hero is marked by her deep understanding of each student’s complexities, valuing their strengths, and identifying areas where they require academic or other forms of support. Actively engaging in IEP meetings in her administrator role, Leslie demonstrates a hands-on commitment to student advocacy. Her proficiency in hiring and managing school staff, implementing administrative policies, and collaborating with local agencies to secure additional support for parents displays her dedication to breaking down barriers.
Notably, Leslie has been a driving force behind inclusive efforts, fostering an environment where special education students with complex communication needs and behavior challenges can engage with their general education peers. Through her progressive mindset, Leslie emphasizes that all students are welcome to learn and grow at their own pace within the district, making her a true Barrier Buster Hero and a catalyst for positive change in the lives of students with disabilities.
Advancing Modoc
I am thrilled to nominate Advancing Modoc for the Far Northern Regional Center’s Celebration of Heroes: Team Hero recognition, acknowledging their outstanding group work that inspires inclusion on a daily basis. Advancing Modoc has become a beacon of collaboration, actively partnering with local educators and the College of the Siskiyou to explore options for providing in-person non-credit classes to adults who have received a certificate of completion and exited IEP services. For a rural area without a community college in the county, these efforts bring together diverse stakeholders to inspire inclusion and create meaningful opportunities for adults who have exited IEP services.
Advancing Modoc’s tenacity for collaboration is truly commendable. They played a pivotal role in local initiatives, including efforts to establish a teen center, active participation in the Community Advisory Committee, and the organization of a potluck gathering of professionals in college/career readiness services. Through these endeavors, Advancing Modoc has created a platform for collective brainstorming and problem-solving, fostering collaboration on countywide issues.
Advancing Modoc exemplifies the spirit of a Team Hero. Their dedication to collaborative initiatives underscores the positive impact that teamwork can have in advancing community services and opportunities in the rural north.