meet the board
California Vocations boasts an exceptionally talented Board of Directors, comprising highly experienced and dedicated individuals who are passionate about our mission.
Rich Welsh
Board President
Coming soon
Denise Worth
Board Vice President
The lives of people with developmental and other disabilities have been a long-term interest of mine, as a retired professor of psychology who trained school psychologists and counselors, and as the mother of a son with autism who passed away in a seizure at age 23 nearly twenty years ago. The life challenges of living arrangements and activities that California Vocations addresses were central in my son Kit’s life as a young adult, and so I am happy to support their efforts to improve the lives of those we serve. I have been on the board for many years and am currently vice president. I have often been inspired by the professionalism and heart shown by so many of our staff, as well as the resilience of our organization and clients through some tough times. An important goal of the board currently is to increase our contact with and knowledge of our evolving programs and staff, ultimately strengthening our support for clients and families.
Margaret Hawe
Secretary
Coming Soon
John Touchette
Treasurer
Coming soon.
Monica Crowl
Board Member
Coming soon.
Joan Goodreau
Board Member
Joan Goodreau is a retired Special Education teacher and Program Specialist. Her recent books are Strangers Together: How My Son’s Autism Changed My Life, Another Secret Shared, and Where to Next? Her YouTube poem, “Covid Cloud Lurking,” was written from interviews with parents of children on the Spectrum. Her son, Ian, enjoys living in a California Vocations supported-living home and attending its Day Program.
Cindi Sterling
Board Member
Hello! I am Cindi Sterling, mother of 4 children, including Renee, who participates in the COVE Day Program. We have lived in Paradise for 33 years, raising our children in a small-town environment. I began volunteering on the Board of Directors in 2008, before Renee was of age to participate in the program. I enjoy physical fitness, outdoor activities, construction, and organizing. My #1 priority is caring for Renee and being a Mom every day! Having been raised with an uncle with mental disabilities, it was comfortable for me to be a part of such an organization at Cal Voc. I believe in a high quality of life, socializing, and well-being for everyone. To be a small part of assisting the board is an honor. We appreciate what all our employees do for our special clients, as they grow, experience new things in life, and thrive.
Teri Tapia
Board Member
As a mom of a young adult son with Autism Spectrum Disorder, Teri Tapia strongly advocates for all forms of supported living services for individuals with developmental disabilities. Having such services and affordable housing available have been of utmost importance for her son’s well-being.
Teri has served on the board of a residential/supported living/day program service provider since the fall of 2018. She serves as our board secretary and a liaison between California Vocations, Inc. and New Beginnings Housing Foundation. As a parent and board member of these two organizations, Teri has learned the ins and outs of how services can best be rendered to developmentally disable persons.
Kathlene Blacklock
Board Member
Coming soon.