contact e-mail: vac@sclarc.org

Illona Hendrick— CHAIR

Illona Hendrick is a wife, mother and grandmother. She is passionate about family, faith and serving in her community. Mrs. Hendrick, the owner/operator of the Hendrick Home Facility, has served the residential care community for over 40 years. She has been an active member of the vendor advisory board at the South Central Los Angeles Regional Center, where she served as the treasurer. Mrs. Hendrick opens her home annually the Direct Support Professional course designed to train providers and their staff. Mrs. Hendrick is the state president of the Society of California Care Home Operators (S.O.C.C.O), an association dedicated to advocating on the behalf of care providers and their residents. Under S.O.C.C.O she has served as Chair of the Regional Center Committee, a member of the Community Care Licensing Committee, and the Social Committee. Mrs. Hendrick is also extremely active in her Church Community. She worships at Peace Apostolic Church in Carson, California. One of her greatest pleasures in life is spending as much time as possible with her three grandchildren Dylan, David, and Giani.

Kelli Marsh— VICE CHAIR

For over 25 years Kelli Marsh has served as an Administrator in her families organizations. Lynwood DevelopmentalCare, Compton Adult Day Health Care and Career Support Services. Her organizations serve as providers for The Department of Public Health Services and for the Department of Aging. As one of South Central Los Angeles Regional Centers   first Intermediate Care facilities and Adult Day Health Care Program Ms. Marsh has vast knowledge of Residential, Adult Day Programs, Employment and Transportation Services. As a result her organization was a recipient of a Department of Transportation award and was one of the first award recipients of the Department of Developmental Services Home and Community Based Services grant.

Ms. Marsh’s experience, awards and accolades are a testament to her passion for her community.  Ms. Marsh desires to continue to be of service, advocate for and expand the possibilities for the lives of people with intellectual disabilities.

Ms. Marsh has served as a representative for the Los Angeles Service Providers Coalition and is the incumbent Vice Chair for SCLARC’s Vendor Advisory Committee.  It is with pleasure and humility that Ms. Marsh accepts the nomination for Vice Chair.

Karina Andrade— SECRETARY

Karina Andrade has worked for East Los Angeles Remarkable Citizens’ Association, Inc. since 2009 in different capacities, most recently overseeing programs. She has been involved with neighborhood councils and the DPSS Community Advisory Board. In a prior life, Ms. Andrade worked in manufacturing as an HR Director for ten years. She has an MPA, MBA and is currently working towards her Doctorate in Public Administration at the University of La Verne. Ms. Andrade is a native Spanish speaker. She looks forward to engaging with other vendors and advocating for the individuals she serves.

   Pedro V. Travieso— TREASURER

Back in the Summer of 1995 I began my career as a Medical Social Worker, in the Mental Health Department of Palmetto Hospital, in Hialeah Florida, upon graduating from UCLA with a Master in Social Welfare.  It was in that capacity that I began working directly with individuals with developmental disabilities, as coupled with an array of mental health (dual diagnosis) conditions.  A year later I returned to Los Angeles and took a position as a Foster Care Social Worker at a local Foster Family Agency, where I eventually wrote a Program to tend particularly to native speaking (Spanish) foster children with developmental disabilities.  Fast forward twenty three (23) years and I remain at that agency, though I became Director shortly after completing a Master of Business Administration degree from Cal. State Dominguez Hills, in 2000.  In the meantime, I also became a Vendor of South Central Los Angeles Regional Center in 2010, under Mariro, LLC, upon setting up –along with my wife Yusimi, who is really the most integral and key person of our entire operations– our first of soon six (6) Level 4 Adult Residential Facilities in the southeastern area of the SCLARC region.  We are committed to the families we serve and the individuals who’s lives we can positively impact every day by helping them to maximize their abilities and choices.

  Carmen Demetrice Haley, MS — PARLIAMENTARIAN

Carmen Haley is a native of Huntsville Alabama.  She is a graduate of Alabama A & M University with a B.S. in Business Management.  Carmen also holds two Masters degrees, one in Counseling & Psychology from Troy State University and Industrial/ Organizational Development from the Marshall Goldsmith School of Management. Ms. Haley is currently a doctoral candidate of organizational psychology at the California School of Professional Psychology at Alliant International University.

Carmen’s passion to serve others has been reflected throughout her career.  Most of her entire work experience is in the service sector. From 2009 to 2011, Carmen served as Program Manager for Alafia Health Mental Institute and has currently served as Program Administrator for Family Way Adult Family Home Agency since 2013.  For fun, Carmen enjoys traveling & volunteering at her church where she is actively involved in various ministries. Carmen’s overall mission in life is to” empower others to strive for excellence, effectiveness and efficiency in daily living.

   Tina Scruggs

Tina Scruggs has been a SCLARC service provider since 2014. She has two Level 4I medical model facilities located in Los Angeles (90047) that she and her husband operate.  Since becoming a licensed provider in 2000, she has cared for children and adults of all ages with a myriad of physical, mental, emotional and developmental challenges. “What I have learned throughout my tenure whether dealing with an intellectually disabled individual or an individual with behavioral or mental health challenges, is that most respond favorably to acts of love and kindness regardless of their cognitive level of functioning. It is of the utmost importance to maintain a respectful relationship.”

   Imelda Ochoa

Ms. Ochoa has multiple vendorizations with SCLARC including transportation and Training for Tomorrow, a Community Integration Program. She has been a vendor since 2012 with her base of operations being located in the City of Bell. She serves individuals with severe disabilities and chronic health issues. Imelda holds a Master’s in Social Work (MSW) and is the former director for multiple programs including Vista ADHC, Solution Based Consulting, and  El Arca.

Brandi Brooks

Mrs. Brooks has been a provider since 2015 and has two Level 41 homes located in Los Angeles (90047 & 90062) and one CPP home. Before become a SCLARC provider, Mrs. Brooks worked at AT&T from close to 30 years. As a Professional Care Provider for adults with developmental disabilities, Brandi considers herself as a staunch advocate. She has always believed in service and helping others through building strong community resources for those in need. Her mission is to help guide and provide residents with a healthy lifestyle that includes education, health services, the ability to socialize, physical activity, and above all–love and understanding. Brandi plans to expand the work she is doing for adults with disabilities to include additional facilities and continued legislative advocacy. She states, “This journey has given me a greater sense of humility and selflessness, a deeper compassion for human life and dignity.”

   Leonard Turner

After graduating from UCLA, Leonard Turner has served clients with Intellectual Disabilities for over 23 years. Leonard worked his way up from working directly with clients, in a classroom setting, to Director of Operations for one of the largest day programs in Southern California. In 2017 he and his wife Karla Turner (BCBA) opened a day program to continue the tradition of service to those with ID and behavioral challenges. JT Behavior Management prides itself on safety, service, and compassion while assisting clients to reduce maladaptive behaviors.