February 2025 Newsletter
Letter from Julie
Dear Community,
A moment overheard in a social skills group this month: “Hey guys?.... How are you?... Are you ok?... My house is safe... My school is safe... but I don’t feel safe.”
The fact that I’m rewriting the January newsletter for the fifth time feels like a small reflection of what this past month has been like. We had prepared an exciting, forward-looking message filled with hope and optimism, but as the month unfolded, it never quite felt like the right time to send it. Given our proximity to the Eaton fire and the real impact of losses in this community, it wasn’t the right time. As I shared in communication last month, I encouraged our team to pace ourselves, take care of one another, and offer space and support to those who need it. What we do at PCDA is care for our community, and in times of uncertainty, we have the privilege of creating safe spaces for neurodiverse children and teens to process their experiences, advocate for themselves, and better understand their bodies and the world around them. Some days, that feels like an immense responsibility; other days, it simply feels like the right thing to do.
Over the past month, I have been repeatedly reminded that we are not alone. Seeing fire trucks from across the state arriving to assist, volunteers stepping up at fire relief and donation sites, and local nonprofits coming together in support of one another has been a powerful testament to community care. Thank you to everyone who reached out to our team, offering support, resources, and encouragement, ensuring that we could continue serving our clients through these challenges.
To our first responders and firefighters who worked tirelessly to protect our communities, we extend our deepest gratitude. Your dedication and bravery have been a source of strength during these difficult times. To our staff and families who have lost their homes, please know that PCDA stands with you—we are here to offer support, advocacy for resources, and care as you rebuild.
Here’s to a year of resilience, hope, and leaning into the power of community.
With gratitude,
Julie Miller, MOT, OTR/L, SWC
Executive Director, PCDA
(L-R): Tamar Matossian, Levi Gelineau, and Jennifer Waggoner
During the holiday break, I worked closely with our Board Chair, Anne Perry, to prepare for an important transition: welcoming new members to PCDA’s Board of Directors. This is an exciting opportunity to embrace fresh perspectives while expressing deep gratitude to our outgoing board members for their dedication and service.
While updating our Board Manual, I came across a passage from PCDA’s 2019 Strategic Plan:
Decades of grit, perseverance, and vision have brought PCDA to the present, providing the platform on which our children and families now stand. Change, while difficult, is the lever from which significant opportunity is released. Change will move us towards a more sustainable organization in hopes of delivering our mission for years to come.
This message serves as a powerful reminder that resilience and determination have always been at the heart of PCDA. Our clinicians might recognize the connection to DIR Capacity 4—my personal favorite—which creates the foundation of problem-solving, persistence, adaptability, and grit. Paired with the understanding that change, while difficult, is the lever from which significant opportunity is released, this perspective offers me hope and confidence that we are prepared to embrace change and keep moving forward with purpose.
A special thank you to outgoing board member Jennifer Waggoner, who has been instrumental in supporting revisions to PCDA’s financial structure and program tracking. Jenny’s insightful questions have encouraged us to think critically about how we measure and sustain our financial health. We are grateful for her invaluable contributions and look forward to her continued connection at the committee level.
We also welcome two new board members, Tamar Matossian and Levi Gelineau, voted in at our January meeting. Tamar, a former Developmental Interventionist at PCDA, continues her work locally providing DIR Floortime services at The Hummingbird Nest. Levi, a returning board member (2012-2018), brings extensive insurance expertise from United Agencies. We are thrilled to have them both join us.
(L-R): Jennifer Avendano, Anne Davis, and Kristine Seranio
At our December staff meeting, I was pleased to announce the promotion of PCDA’s next two clinical leads: Jennifer Avendano as Director of Group Services and Anne Davis as Director of Therapy Services. These leadership roles reflect their dedication, clinical expertise, and deep commitment to PCDA’s mission. Having worked closely with Jenn and Anne for nearly 20 years, I have seen firsthand their passion, excellence, and leadership.
These promotions also represent an important shift in PCDA’s clinical structure. Anne will now oversee individual Floortime services, including Building Blocks, SEDI, Developmental Behavioral Consultation, and music therapy, in addition to her current supervision of speech therapy, occupational therapy, the feeding team, and nutrition. Jenn will continue leading our group services, including Social Skills Group and Teen Club, while also taking on oversight of the Young Adults program.
This realignment has two main objectives: strengthening support for our high-volume group services and ensuring we are prepared for upcoming funding changes for Floortime services. By reinforcing clinical training and support, we are positioning PCDA for long-term sustainability and continued excellence in care.
In December, we also welcomed Kristine Seranio as PCDA’s new Development Manager. Kristine’s warmth, expertise, and passion for supporting families made her a standout candidate during our hiring process. She will lead fundraising strategies, build relationships with donors, and secure resources to sustain PCDA’s mission. Over the past month, Kristine has been onboarding into our 2025 development plans and is already making an impact by refining our fundraising strategies for the year ahead.
2025 started with full momentum, allowing no time for anything but hitting the ground running. I’m thankful to lean on the resilience and dedication that have carried PCDA through decades of growth and transformation. These qualities will continue to guide us as we navigate challenges and embrace new opportunities. Together, we will honor PCDA’s legacy while strengthening our collective impact on the children, teens, and families we serve.
Other News and Updates
Open Play
In January, PCDA offered free, unstructured play at our Green Street office to support families who live in and around Altadena and were impacted by school closures due to the Eaton Fire. Our staff was present to support play and provide a space for connection in a familiar, comforting environment.
If you were affected by the fires and need anything during this time—whether additional support, resources, or assistance with advocacy—we’re here for you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out, as we’re eager to help however we can.
Pasadena Playhouse
On January 17, our Executive Director Julie Miller and Occupational Therapist Natalie Aguirre offered training on individual differences and inclusion to the Pasadena Playhouse's Teaching Artists, as they prepare to bring arts and education to local schools.
Thank you to the Playhouse for inviting us to speak!
Ways to Give
Donations
Our donors are vital in raising funds for our programs and services. Please consider becoming a recurring donor for at least $10 or more a month to support the sustainability and longevity of PCDA’s mission, vision, and values. Thank you for your support!
Gifts In Kind
Whether it's Floortime, Individual, or Group services, our programs are in need of items to help support our youth in their long-term learning and connection.
For information on which items are most in need, please check out our Wish List.
For more information on how to join our village, please contact Kristine Seranio, development manager, at development@pcdateam.org.