Behind the Scenes at PCDA

A message from Pam Jacobson, Interim Executive Director 

As I enter my fifth month serving as the Interim Executive Director of PCDA, I continue to be inspired by the passion and commitment expressed by each of our staff members to live out the organization’s mission of creating a community that builds on strengths and relationships to prepare young people with Autism and developmental disabilities for a future in which they are empowered, fulfilled, and feel the security of belonging. This month, we are looking behind the scenes to meet two of 53 PCDA staff members that currently work together each day to create collaborative, multi-disciplinary and integrated care for families.

Meet Juliet & Jessica. 

Juliet joined the PCDA team in 2012 as a receptionist and quickly fell in love with PCDA through interacting with families in the lobby, hearing their stories and watching the children evolve. She became an “Admin,” (Administrative Assistant) in 2016 and took on the role of helping families get set up with services.

Juliet describes the “distress” that she often hears in the voices of parents when they first call PCDA and are hungry for help. She takes pride in helping families understand their options, navigate daunting funding systems, and get started on their journey to getting the support they crave. 

Our Admin Team is often the first point of contact for families seeking services for their children. As such, they play a critical role in introducing them to funding systems, such as Regional Center, the School District, and insurance, each with unique eligibility requirements and terminology. 

As an Admin, Juliet plays an essential role in helping clinicians stay up to date with rigorous reporting requirements to maintain continuity of services and avoid funding hiccups. Juliet is praised by each of the clinicians she works with as being extremely knowledgeable and “on the ball” with everything she does, and the respect is mutual. Juliet noted in a recent conversation that she can “sense the passion” of the clinicians she engages with. “They do so much behind the scenes! From home programs, to reports, they really go the extra mile to hone their craft and support families.” 

Also serving as a translator in Feeding Therapy sessions, Juliet has had the opportunity to sit in on sessions. “This is where I got to see firsthand the preparation, work, and kindness our clinicians have with the families they work with. The preparation and creativity they put into a session is amazing!" She reports truly enjoying watching overwhelm and stress transform as sessions progress. “Seeing genuine connections being made not only with the client but with parents/caregivers really blew me away. Everyone has a part; siblings, parents, the whole family is involved, and they get into a rhythm in sessions.” 

In Juliet’s words: 

“Being part of the PCDA community has helped me to be exposed to different perspectives and ideas. I think this has helped me grow as a professional, because I have been able to learn so many things from so many different people. Although I do not work with clients directly, I am proud when I hear a parent's appreciation for being heard. I also get to hear the appreciation families have for our clinicians and how much they love working with them. These are the moments that make me proud.” 

Jessica arrived at PCDA fresh out of Graduate School at USC in 2009 as a newly minted Occupational Therapist. She was drawn to the field having worked as a behavioral therapist for children with Autism.

Jessica remarked that among the reinforcers used by behavioral interventionists to elicit desired responses, she found herself gravitating towards social rewards, rather than tangible or activity reinforces for desired behaviors, as she saw relationships as the primary goal of therapy. Consequently, when she was introduced to DIR through PCDA, the work resonated strongly with her. 

In Jessica’s words: Professionally, “I feel so supported and proud of the work we do at PCDA. The DIR model and framework that PCDA uses aligns so much with how I most naturally treat clients. It has been great to have further clinical support and such rich discussions using this model.”

Over the years Jessica has deepened her knowledge of DIR through ICDL with PCDA's support, which she credits as enhancing her work with families.

“I feel that looking at clients and families in such a holistic way really deepens our work and understanding of the full capacities and potential we see in all clients. I love working on a team that shares this framework. It really enriches clinical conversations.” 

When asked to reflect on what have been some of the highlights of working at PCDA, Jessica stated “I always love watching our Creative Arts concerts. Although I wasn't able to attend the most recent one, I have seen over the years so many families come together and feel pride and a sense of belonging to a community through supporting clients at their current capacities. Seeing the joy in client and family faces and seeing other members of the community gather to enjoy the performances always brings a smile to my face and a tear of joy to my eye!” 

Jessica is a celebrated member of the PCDA community, described by her co-workers as reliable, creative, and extremely knowledgeable with a very playful side.

Jessica expresses a strong appreciation for PCDA staff community and recalls a favorite moment from her work: “it sounds silly, but one of the things I have valued most about working at PCDA is the game nights we used to have before Covid.” She stated that setting up obstacle courses and other physical activities for her co-workers helped everyone on the team gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for each other’s work and strengthened the entire team. Jessica’s reflection reminds us that play is our work and that relationships are at the core of everything we do.