Tanya Scott, Executive Director
Tanya is a Behavioral and Educational Consultant specializing in implementing inclusive education practices in public school settings, conducting Functional Analyses, creating Positive Behavior Plans, and training school-based staff on best practices in educational planning and behavior management implementation.  She has worked in public and private school settings across the East Bay area since 1998. She currently teaches a graduate course in Positive Behavior Management for teachers at San Francisco State University. Tanya has a B.A. from New York University, a Master's degree in Special Education (Mild/Moderate Disabilities) from San Francisco State University and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA).

Meredith Akers, Executive Director
Meredith has been working with children and adults with disabilities for 15 years. She has taught in a variety of settings including public & private schools (K-12th grade), community-based programs, and homes in the Bay Area. She works to create and implement comprehensive interventions and inclusive programming, specializing in social skills and Asperger Syndrome. She has served as Master Teacher and lecturer at local universities, facilitated several parent and community groups, and presented her work at statewide education conferences in California. Meredith holds an Educational Specialist Credential (Moderate/Severe disabilities) and a Master's degree (Moderate/Severe disabilities) from San Francisco State University.  Her passion is creating connections between students, families and their communities.

Lauren Mello, Lead Trainer
Lauren moved to the Bay Area six years ago from the Central Valley to attend Saint Mary’s College.  Her four years there concluded with a degree in Kinesiology, emphasis in Health and Human Performance and a successful Division 1 softball career.  Her love for sports has continued, as she coaches summer youth softball teams and gives private lessons.  Playing sports has created a passion for health and fitness, in which Lauren hopes to share with others.  After leaving 21 Minute Fitness in San Ramon last year, she joined the MAPSS team and is excited to be working with people all over the Bay Area with various capabilities.

Ia Hernandez, MAPSS Summer Camp Counselor
Ia brings a breadth of experience to MAPSS.  She has been working with children with disabilities for 9 years in non-profit and public settings.  Ia has also worked with adult consumers at the Contra Costa ARC and has been a teacher in a K-2 Autism Special Day Class while pursuing her credential in Special Education, (Moderate to Severe Disabilities).  Ia discovered through her experiences that she enjoys working with children and is particularly fascinated by children on the Autism Spectrum.  She is currently working on her Masters Degree at SF State in Pamela Wolfberg's Autism Certificate Program.  She now works with Ed Support Services as a Behavior Consultant and Resource Coordinator.  Ia enjoys working with families, using her Spanish language abilities, and petting her cat.  She lives in Oakland with her husband. 

Sarah Notch, Trainer
Sarah's background includes several years of autism teaching experience in Los Angeles and San Francisco prior to serving the San Francisco Unified School District as the Elementary Autism Specialist.  Sarah has been featured on television and radio interviews relating to current developments in autism research and treatment approaches.  In addition to her involvement with MAPSS, she is currently the Behavior Specialist for the Orinda and Moraga School Districts.

Kirsten EideNelson, Trainer
Kirsten received her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and Anthropology from Agnes Scott College in Atlanta GA. Since 2006, Kirsten has worked with children with autism and other developmental disorders between the ages of 18 months to 12 years. Prior to this, she worked in a variety of settings including public schools and community mental health and social development programs, following her nearly life-long affinity for children with communication and social disabilities. Kirsten has experience implementing behavioral modification techniques in the home and school setting and has been trained in and incorporates interventions that fall under Applied Behavior Analysis; including PRT (Pivotal Response Training), social stories, PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) and TEACCH methodologies. On her spare time Kirsten loves staying active and enjoying the outdoors. She has completed both half and full marathons and looks forward to staying healthy through MAPSS!

Rafael Portuges, Trainer
Rafael attended Sonoma State University and received a B.A. in Human Development with a minor in psychology.  Since graduation, he has worked as a mental health assistant with Seneca Center, a non-profit group that provides support to children with either physical or mental trauma in a school-based setting.  Then worked as a case manager for a non-profit boys group home known as R.E.F.U.G.E in Oakland where I helped the boys develop positive academic and social skills to better support their independence.   Rafael truly enjoys working with special needs youth to assist in their development mentally, socially, and physically so that they can work towards becoming more independent.