Our Staff

Senior Leadership Team

Jeff Kazmierczak, RN, MSN, MBA
Chief Executive Officer
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Jeff Kazmierczak, RN, MSN, MBA
Chief Executive Officer

Jeff Kazmierczak RN, MSN, MBA is a senior executive with more than 25 years of experience in a variety of behavioral health leadership roles. He received a BSN from Marquette University, an MSN from UWM with an emphasis in community health, and an Executive MBA from the UWM Sheldon Lubar School of Business with a focus on finance, strategy, and operational efficiency.
Jeff and Dick will work together in transition of leadership, with Jeff taking over as CEO effective May 29, 2020, and Dick continuing in a consultant role until June 19, 2020.
Mr. Kazmierczak began his career working with children on an inpatient psychiatric unit. He became interested in impacting the quality of services on a much larger scale and became a founding partner of a behavioral health contract management organization, dedicated to providing services to children and adolescents. In addition, he developed a community-based services organization which continues to grow providing case management, in-home therapy, day treatment and a variety of community support services for children and families.
During the past ten years, Mr. Kazmierczak also has provided interim and consulting services for multiple organizations, focusing on turnaround and/or enhancing behavioral health continuum of care services. Those engagements occurred in Wisconsin, New Jersey, Nevada, Missouri and Arizona (Phoenix Children’s Hospital). Jeff has a passion for leading teams and maximizing the Talent within organizations toward the goal of delivering high quality services and value to children, families, communities and payers alike

Bonnie Kolakowski, MBA, MACC, EA
Chief Financial Officer
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Bonnie Kolakowski, MBA, MACC, EA
Chief Financial Officer
Bonnie Kolakowski started working with MIKID in April 2013 as the Chief Financial Officer. Bonnie oversees the financial operations of the agency including but not limited to budgeting, financial statement preparation, adherence to internal controls, and oversight of the agency’s annual financial audit. She has worked in the behavioral health industry since 2009 and for non-profits since 2006. Bonnie has been in the accounting field for over 18 years and has her MBA with an emphasis in accounting. Bonnie has lived life experience navigating two children in the behavioral health system. Together with her MIKID team, she has helped the agency grow.
Akia Compton, MS
Vice President, Programs
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Akia Compton, MS
Vice President, Programs

Currently oversees programs & operations.

Akia Compton has been active in youth services since 1993, ranging from residential, independent living, juvenile justice and behavioral health. Her passion stems from being a youth enrolled in the system. Akia received her B.A. in Sociology and Criminal Justice from the University of Akron and her M.S. in Administration of Justice and Security from the University of Phoenix. Akia wanted to give back to her community and help other youth navigate the system in a positive way. She is also a parent of a child with behavioral health challenges. Akia started her work at MIKID in August of 2012. Her personal and professional endeavors have made her a valuable asset to MIKID.

Patrick J. Winters
Vice President , Marketing and Development
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Patrick J. Winters
Vice President , Marketing and Development
Patrick Winters has over 35 years’ experience in both for-profit, and non-profit sectors. He has served on MIKID’s Board of Directors since 2017, and now joins MIKID as the Vice President for Marketing and Development. Prior to coming to MIKID, Patrick was the Director of Homeless Services for St. Joseph The Worker, where he worked with an executive team overseeing the largest privately funded workforce organization in the United Sates, returning over $1.24 million annually, to Arizona’s economy. Being a parent to a child with behavioral health issues taught Patrick firsthand the value of family run services that MIKID offers to the community. This experience led him to a deeper understanding of the needs of the mental health community and to joining MIKID in efforts to create change and understanding of family and child development. As MIKID’s Vice President of Marketing and Development, his goal is to further our mission, expand our marketing, funding streams, and ultimately make sure families and children get the assistance they need for years to come. Patrick earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Management from Northern Arizona University, graduating summa cum laude, and attended the American Express Leadership Academy through Arizona State University. Patrick continues to sit on several boards and committees in Arizona and strives to enrich our communities through service to others.
Alfonso González
Director of Human Resources
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Alfonso González
Director of Human Resources
Alfonso has been working for MIKID since 2013, and has experience working in the social services field since 2015. Alfonso has worked with dual diagnosis, art therapy, foster, group home, and shelter populations. Alfonso is originally from California and has been working in Human Resources since 2005. He has worked with both for profit and nonprofit organizations. Alfonso has also assisted in music programs at previous agencies as he has actively been involved in music for over 20 years.

Administrative Support

Kelly Kolakowski
Administrative Support Specialist
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Kelly Kolakowski
Administrative Support Specialist
Kelly Kolakowski has worked in the Healthcare and Insurance industry since 2008 and has gained experience managing teams, contributing to system conversions, creating training programs and setting up auditing measures. She is a hard worker and is dedicated to contributing to MIKID’s continuing growth and success.

Programs

Suma Hodge, MS, LPC, BHP, CCTP
Clinical Director, Arizona
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Suma Hodge, MS, LPC, BHP, CCTP
Clinical Director, Arizona
Suma Hodge is an Independent Licensed Professional Counselor and a behavior health professional. She is well versed in substance abuse, serious mental illness and trauma-focused treatment. Suma works in advocating about mental health in urban and underrepresented communities. She has been a pillar in the mental health community for well over 10 years. As she furthers her support, growth and nurturing to those in need through education experience she has obtained her trauma certification and is A trained clinical supervisor. As experience as a clinical manager of a 60 bed residential substance abuse all male facility, clinical coordinator in and outpatient child to adult mentoring program, MAT (medication-assisted treatment) program therapist and clinical program manager over several SMI group homes accords Arizona, Suma oversaw the day to day clinical operation of the clinical department to include, intake/ discharge process, therapeutic delivery of services, program development, CQI, audit compliance, and professional development of several clinical positions included but not limited to psychiatric nursing. Suma spends time facilitating and participating in mental heath discussion across the valley and nation spreading awareness, education, advocating and busting through barriers and mental health myths.
Abigail Bensko, LPC, BHP
Clinical Director, Colorado
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Abigail Bensko, LPC, BHP
Clinical Director, Colorado
Abigail Bensko is an Independent Licensed Professional Counselor and a behavior health professional. She is experienced in areas such as substance abuse, mental illness, the criminal justice system, and family systems. Abigail has worked in the behavioral health field for 7 years, gaining experience with the foster care system, prison system, parole and probation, domestic violence treatment, and substance abuse treatment. Abigail has worked providing individual and family therapy to children and their support systems in the community of Pueblo. Abigail also has personal experience in her life being a mother and stepmother to five children. She loves adventure and spends her time outdoors fishing or exploring Colorado’s landscape. Abigail is a Pueblo native and is excited to offer further growth and mental health resources to her community.
Richard Encinas, BA
Arizona Regional Director
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Richard Encinas, BA
Arizona Regional Director
Richard (RJ) Encinas brings years of experience and expertise in high-quality, intensive, comprehensive mental and behavioral healthcare to the MIKID family. RJ graduated from the University of Arizona in 2005 with a degree in Social Services with a focus in Psychology. RJ enjoys working with the high acuity teenage population as most of his initial work was targeted around working with members detained in the juvenile system. RJ has grown and developed various programs aimed towards Direct Support Services, Family Support Partners, Crisis Response/Interventions, and High Needs Programming. He works closely with natural, professional, and community-based supports and programs to coordinate treatments and care plans for patients with anxiety, depression, or other mental/behavioral health needs. RJ and his husband are licensed Foster/Adopt parents and have three incredible children. They have been able to see the systematic approaches firsthand and have learned to navigate the system on the other side of the fence. RJ enjoys traveling, being outside, working out, and spending as much family time as possible.
Marisela Aranda, B.S, BHT
Q.M./Q.A. Coordinator
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Marisela Aranda, B.S, BHT
Q.M./Q.A. Coordinator

Marisela is first generation Latina and a mother of a child with special needs. Marisela was the first in her family to graduate from college obtaining her B.S in Psychology from NAU in 2007 while struggling with her own behavioral health and learning disabilities.

Marisela has been with MIKID since January 2020. She started in our Phoenix office as the Family Support Program Manager and moved into her current role as Q.M/Q.A Coordinator.

She has over 16 years of experience in the Behavioral Health Field, 3 of which are managerial. Marisela is a hard worker and dedicated to upholding the late MIKID Founder Sue Gilbertson’s mission improving the behavioral health and wellness of children and youth through a family-centered approach.

 
Maya Bakerman
Data Research Coordinator
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Maya Bakerman
Data Research Coordinator
Maya is a Prevention Coordinator for MIKID who is passionate about working with children and reducing stigma around mental health. She works to educate youth and adults throughout Arizona about suicide prevention. She travels to schools statewide to have conversations with youth about suicide and understand how to help prevent a suicide from occurring by identifying signs of suicide. Maya has lived experience and life challenges that have motivated her to be in the behavioral health field. She believes that spreading education is the best way to break the stigma associated to suicide and mental health. Her formal education background is a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Arizona in Learning, Leadership, and Literacy (2016). During that time, she composed a diverse set of credentials including: training design, program facilitating, and program evaluation. In December 2019, she will be receiving a Masters in Public Health from Grand Canyon University. She is a member of the Arizona Suicide Prevention Coalition and other coalitions within Arizona.
Daniel Salazar Vega
Assistant Director Tucson. Sierra Vista, Nogales
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Daniel Salazar Vega
Assistant Director Tucson. Sierra Vista, Nogales
Daniel Salazar Vega Bio
Tahnee Sandoval
Direct Service Manager - Tucson
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Tahnee Sandoval
Direct Service Manager - Tucson
Tahnee was hired in 2015 as a Family Support Partner, transitioned to Direct Service Lead the same year, and move to the Family Support Manager in 2016. Tahnee has 10 years of lived experience and has a son that has behavioral health challenges. She has been in the behavioral health field for 3 years and has worked with children for over 6 years. Tahnee has facilitated Grief and Loss groups and has a strong compassion for people that are struggling due to her life experience.
Dan Axe
Assistant Director Kingman, Bullhead City, Yuma
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Dan Axe
Assistant Director Kingman, Bullhead City, Yuma

Dan Axe has been with MIKID since February of 2013 and has held a variety of positions. Dan is the Regional Assistant Director for Northern Arizona. Dan represents MIKID through his Tri-chair position with the Northern Arizona Children’s Council where he helps facilitate growth throughout the Northern Arizona regions by providing resources to families, schools, and other behavioral health organizations.

When not at work, Dan enjoys spending time with his family, writing music, gardening, hiking and mountain biking and spending as much time as possible outdoors and in the water.

Clinical Counseling

Kassandra Cosio, LMSW, BHP
Clinical Counselor - Yuma
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Kassandra Cosio, LMSW, BHP
Clinical Counselor - Yuma
Kassandra Cosio is an associate level Licensed Social Worker and behavior health professional. She has 9+ years experience serving the Yuma community through hours of volunteer work and direct practice with individual, groups and family members. Kassandra has worked in behavioral health for over 4 years and has experience as a children’s and adult case manager, intake assessor and therapist. Kassandra has completed internship hours as a school social worker and therapist . She graduated with her Masters in Social Work in November 2020.
Pricila Holguin
Clinical Counselor - Tucson
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Pricila Holguin
Clinical Counselor - Tucson
Pricila Holguin is a Licensed Associate Counselor who has a strong desire to help others and assist people with the challenges of daily living. Pricila has worked in the behavioral health field for 7+ years and has continuously witnessed the positive impact behavioral health services have in our communities. Pricila has a Bachelor degree in Psychology and a minor in Special Education/Rehabilitation. Pricila graduated in February 2022 with a Master of Science in Professional Counseling. Pricila has experience working with a variety of populations including adults who were determined to be SMI and children/adolescents with high acuity needs. Pricila has skills in crisis intervention/de-escalation, care coordination, skills building, and family support. She has provided individual and family therapy to those who struggled with mental health challenges which include but are not limited to depression, anxiety, and PTSD. In a safe place, Pricila incorporates therapeutic approaches that promote healthy coping skills, healing, strength, trust, and resilience. During her free time Pricila enjoys to exercise, watch movies, travel, and spend time with her family & friends.

Direct Support Managers Team

James Beecher
Direct Service Manager - Bullhead City
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James Beecher
Direct Service Manager - Bullhead City

James Beecher currently serves as Direct Support Manager for Bullhead City and Lake Havasu City. Additionally, James serves as both Family and Direct Support Manager for La Paz County. His MIKID career began as a Direct Support Provider serving Transitional Age Youth in Yuma County. James majored in Criminal Justice and Business in college.
James has served in various capacities within the behavioral health field, including as a Crisis Specialist and a Case Manager in the Arizona Families First program, where he also provided Substance Use and Abuse Education services to parents involved with the Arizona Department of Child Safety. He is a Certified Family Support Provider. Additionally, he has experience serving domestic violence and abuse survivors as a Legal Advocate.
Prior to his career in behavioral health, James worked within the Justice field for twenty years. He served as a Probation Surveillance Officer monitoring a Youthful Offender Intensive Probation caseload among others. He served as a Tribal Prosecutor prosecuting criminal offenses as well as representing the tribe in child welfare cases. James also served as a Tribal Court Judge presiding over Criminal, Delinquency and Child Welfare matters and managing the tribe’s justice system.

Alexis English
Direct Service Manager - Sierra Vista
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Alexis English
Direct Service Manager - Sierra Vista

Alexis is a Sierra Vista native and is the Direct Service Manager for the Sierra Vista area. She has worked in the behavioral health field for over 6 years now and with children for over 15 years.

Alexis' goal is to build and make an impact on her community by helping local youth dealing with struggles in behavioral health. She wishes they had a program like MIKID now offers when she herself was growing up in Sierra Vista.

Alexis has a passion for helping kiddos learn and grow. Watching and helping the kids become successful and reach all their goals is absolutely rewarding making her last two years experience "wonderful' since she has been with MIKID. Alexis' family is important to her and loves that MIKID's work centers around the family as much as the kiddos.

Gabrielle Barney
Direct Service Manager - Tucson
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Gabrielle Barney
Direct Service Manager - Tucson
Daniela Torres
Direct Service Manager - Nogales and Sierra Vista
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Daniela Torres
Direct Service Manager - Nogales and Sierra Vista
Daniela started working for MIKID in August 2018 as the Receptionist for our Nogales office and transitioned to our Medical Records department. Daniela has continued to advance in her roles becoming the office Administrative Lead then, in April 2020, transitioned in to her current role as Direct Service Manager. Daniela was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona and has attended Phoenix College transferring to Arizona State University to study Business Management and Architecture. She moved to Nogales in 2017 starting her family and is now is a proud mother of a 2 year old girl. Daniela enjoys working for MIKID because it has opened the door for her to advance to new levels in her career while gaining new knowledge about Behavioral Health.

Human Resources

Ashley Morrin
HR Specialist
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Ashley Morrin
HR Specialist

Ashley has experience in management and administration prior to joining the MIKID team in 2016. Ashley is MIKID's Human Resource Specialist and Finance and Accounting Support as well as manager of our technology-based training platform.

Ashley has her degree in Business Administration from Glendale Community College.

Heather Fenech, BA
Director of Staff Development
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Heather Fenech, BA
Director of Staff Development
Heather was born and raised in Dearborn Heights, Michigan. She received her B.A. in Communications from Eastern Michigan University. She is a non-profit professional with 8+ years of experience in management and training. Combining knowledge of trauma informed care, staff professional development and the importance of community outreach and education/engagement to build strong teams and community partnerships.
Derrick Wilhelm
Recruiting Coordinator
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Derrick Wilhelm
Recruiting Coordinator
Dean Reed
Director of Facilities
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Dean Reed
Director of Facilities
Dean Reed serves as the Facilities Manager at MIKID. In addition to electrical, he has experience in welding fabrication. Dean worked for the Arizona Department of Corrections for three years in a maximum custody unit and for four years as a maintenance technician supervisor at the Arizona State Hospital. In his own experience, Dean has witnessed the devastation caused by mental illness and the effects it has on families.

Marketing and Development Team

Patrick J. Winters
Vice President , Marketing and Development
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Patrick J. Winters
Vice President , Marketing and Development
Patrick Winters has over 35 years’ experience in both for-profit, and non-profit sectors. He has served on MIKID’s Board of Directors since 2017, and now joins MIKID as the Vice President for Marketing and Development. Prior to coming to MIKID, Patrick was the Director of Homeless Services for St. Joseph The Worker, where he worked with an executive team overseeing the largest privately funded workforce organization in the United Sates, returning over $1.24 million annually, to Arizona’s economy. Being a parent to a child with behavioral health issues taught Patrick firsthand the value of family run services that MIKID offers to the community. This experience led him to a deeper understanding of the needs of the mental health community and to joining MIKID in efforts to create change and understanding of family and child development. As MIKID’s Vice President of Marketing and Development, his goal is to further our mission, expand our marketing, funding streams, and ultimately make sure families and children get the assistance they need for years to come. Patrick earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Management from Northern Arizona University, graduating summa cum laude, and attended the American Express Leadership Academy through Arizona State University. Patrick continues to sit on several boards and committees in Arizona and strives to enrich our communities through service to others.
Elizabeth Santa Cruz, PCM, AA
Director of Marketing and Development
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Elizabeth Santa Cruz, PCM, AA
Director of Marketing and Development
Elizabeth Santa Cruz has been with MIKID since July 2022. Growing up in a home alongside siblings struggling with behavioral health challenges, she brings lived experience and over 10 years of marketing and development experience to the table. Elizabeth (or Beth, as friends call her) started her career in the private sector, helping a startup dental company open 11 offices in their first 5 years. Beth is an experienced fundraiser, creative strategist, media production pro, and digital marketing expert among other things. She previously served as the Communications Director for Crossroads – the largest residential addiction rehabilitation organization in the southwest. There, she spearheaded the creation and publication of their successful podcast, Recovery On-Air. Beth has a great passion for supporting nonprofits and feels a sense of purpose when using her skills and talents to serve others.
Paterse Randles
Fund Development Coordinator
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Paterse Randles
Fund Development Coordinator
Paterse has been with MIKID since March of 2013 and has held a variety of positions. Paterse currently serves as the Fund Development Coordinator. Paterse attends Arizona State University working towards a Bachelor’s Degree in Women & Gender Studies Major, and African and African American Studies Minor. Paterse values her time spent volunteering as a Peer Mentor, tutoring students with learning challenges as well as providing support with their educational goals and encouragement for students with learning disabilities (LD). Paterse has been a part of the Fundraising Committee within MIKID, planning events and assisting in fundraising efforts, since 2015.
Joshua Gates
Grant Writer, Colorado
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Joshua Gates
Grant Writer, Colorado
Josh serves as MIKID’s grant writer. Josh has over 12 years of experience in fundraising and program management with multiple nonprofit organizations. Most of this work was targeted at improving educational outcomes and increasing family stability. Josh has over 10 years of experience grant writing and has raised over $5 million to support programs that help children and families. Josh graduated from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs with a B.A. in Political Science.

Family Support Managers Team

Nancy Osborn
Family Support Manager - Bullhead City
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Nancy Osborn
Family Support Manager - Bullhead City
In 30 years of marriage, Nancy has helped her husband raise five amazing children, now adults. Three of those are stepchildren, one has special needs and one is a grandchild. Nancy believes her loved ones have afforded her the experiences that allow her to provide services with compassion, understanding and empathy. She has worked as a Family Support Partner with MIKID for in 2008 and has been a supervisor since 2010. She takes great joy in supporting families and Family Support Providers in meeting their goals.
Alicia Ledezma
Family Support Manager - Yuma
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Alicia Ledezma
Family Support Manager - Yuma
Alicia Ledezma joined MIKID in March of 2017 as Family Support Partner, in April 2017 she was promoted to Family Support Manager. Alicia has 18 years of experience working in the behavioral health field at different Capacities. She began her behavioral Health Journey in the group home setting working with SMI Population, Alicia then worked as Family Support in a Substance abuse Program. Alicia has strong Clinical experienced obtained during her work as a Clinical Liason with both Children and Adults. She has lived life experiences as she has had children in the behavioral health, education, and juvenile justice systems therefore understands how challenging this could be for parents as she has been on both sides. Alicia believes she is able to empower and give families a sense of hope when Navigating these systems.
Tamara Grimm
Family Support Manager - Nogales and Sierra Vista
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Tamara Grimm
Family Support Manager - Nogales and Sierra Vista
Tamara received her Bachelor’s degree in 2010 from Wayland Baptist University in Business Administration with a Specialization in Human Resource Management She currently is working on her Master’s of Arts in Counseling with an expected graduation date in 2022. Tamara has worked in behavioral health for over 6 years providing clinical and/or counseling services to include: running a girls' treatment program, working with DCS and foster parents as well as working with victims of physical/sexual abuse at a local advocacy center. Her future plans are to graduate with a Master of Arts in Counseling, become a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and open a private practice to provide a more clinical/therapeutic approach to others in my community.
Jaquay Boyd
Family Support Manager - Casa Grande
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Jaquay Boyd
Family Support Manager - Casa Grande
Jaquay Boyd has been working for MIKID since January of 2017. Jaquay started as a Family Support Partner working her way up to Family Support Manager in 2019. Jaquay has 15 years of combined lived life experience and working experience in behavior and mental health. She has a daughter and other family members with those challenges. Even as a Manager Jaquay still enjoys serving families face to face that are struggling to navigate multiple systems to help their children to receive the best services. She helps pilot the MIKID Parent Support Now Program in Casa Grande for parents involved with DCS, walking side by side with them through that system. Jaquay is passionate about her work, and works hard to make sure families get the services they deserve.
Tracy Sullivan
Family Support Manager - Kingman
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Tracy Sullivan
Family Support Manager - Kingman
As a single parent of three children with various diagnoses, Tracy was searching for resources to help her navigate her way around the world of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504s (A plan that is a blueprint for how the school will support a student with a disability and remove barriers to learning) when she was introduced to a MIKID Family Support Partner, (FSP) and her first Parent's Support Group. In 2012, Tracy was offered a position as an FSP and was promoted to a Lead FSP in 2018. After 10 years of supporting other families as they navigate their own journey as a parent raising a child with a diagnosis, and supporting parents who have a dependency case with the Department of Child Safety (DCS), Tracy is now the Family Support Manager for Kingman. Tracy looks forward to her new journey she now finds herself on as well as helping expand services to offer support for families across all of Northern Arizona.
Paula Carson
Family Support Manager - Phoenix
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Paula Carson
Family Support Manager - Phoenix
Paula Carson Joined the MIKID Family in 2017. Paula has over 3O years of experience in social services in New York, New Jersey and Arizona primarily as a DCS investigator but has also worked in licensing and adoptions. Paula has received statewide accolades in New Jersey’s community corrections system for having the foresight to advocate and actualize the very first female halfway house for women leaving the penal system -- an opportunity that was previously only afforded to men. Paula is very passionate about helping children and families and is especially delighted to be working for MIKID, a peer/ family run organization, where families are encouraged to utilize their unique voice and exercise their own choice.
Jennifer McWilliams
Family Support Manager - Colorado
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Jennifer McWilliams
Family Support Manager - Colorado
Jennifer is originally from Texas where she served as a foster parent for over seven years. She and her family moved to Colorado almost four years ago. In addition to being a foster parent she has served on the board of the Jefferson County Foster Parent Association and as Pueblo County CASA. She has also spent time working with people experiencing homeless in both Texas and Colorado thru multiple nonprofit organizations. These experiences have provided her with a background in the behavioral health, education, family court and the foster care systems. Due to these experiences and as a mother and daughter of people with mental and behavioral health challenges she understands how difficult and daunting it can be for parents and caregivers to navigate the behavioral system and find resources. Jennifer is excited to help bring the services of MIKID to Colorado to help families navigate the system to receive the services they both need and deserve.
Maria Jimenez
Family Support Manager - Tucson
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Maria Jimenez
Family Support Manager - Tucson
Karina Guerrero
Family Support Manager - Nogales
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Karina Guerrero
Family Support Manager - Nogales
Karina started working for MIKID in June of 2021 at the Nogales office. A year of hard work, growth and obstacles (life lessons) have helped her become a Family Support Manager (FSM). Karina has lived life-experience as a mother of three daughters -- one with autism. Karina has a full understanding of the emotional roller coaster that comes with her daughters diagnosis. She was able to navigate through doctor appointments and the Social Security application process for SSI benefits. Karina has over 14 years of work experience through the State of Arizona. She is certified in customer service and has an Associate's Degree from Phoenix College.
James Beecher
Family Support Manager, Parker
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James Beecher
Family Support Manager, Parker
James Beecher currently serves as Direct Support Manager for Bullhead City and Lake Havasu City. Additionally, James serves as both Family and Direct Support Manager for La Paz County. His MIKID career began as a Direct Support Provider serving Transitional Age Youth in Yuma County. James majored in Criminal Justice and Business in college. James has served in various capacities within the behavioral health field, including as a Crisis Specialist and a Case Manager in the Arizona Families First program, where he also provided Substance Use and Abuse Education services to parents involved with the Arizona Department of Child Safety. He is a Certified Family Support Provider. Additionally, he has experience serving domestic violence and abuse survivors as a Legal Advocate. Prior to his career in behavioral health, James worked within the Justice field for twenty years. He served as a Probation Surveillance Officer monitoring a Youthful Offender Intensive Probation caseload among others. He served as a Tribal Prosecutor prosecuting criminal offenses as well as representing the tribe in child welfare cases. James also served as a Tribal Court Judge presiding over Criminal, Delinquency and Child Welfare matters and managing the tribe’s justice system.
Sarah Acuna
Direct Service Manager - Yuma
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Sarah Acuna
Direct Service Manager - Yuma
Sarah has over 10 years experience working in the social services field with both children and adults. She has served her community as a respite provider, case manager, intake clinician, worked in a DCS group home, tribal group home and as a domestic violence advocate. Sarah is dedicated to her work and has a love for helping children and families achieve their best potential. She is excited to be a part of the MIKID family again!
Kathryn Hernandez-Millan
Direct Service Manager - Casa Grande
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Kathryn Hernandez-Millan
Direct Service Manager - Casa Grande
Kathryn started working with MIKID in September 2020 as a TAY Specialist and transitioned to Direct Support Manager in Casa Grande. She was born and raised in Arizona and enjoys traveling and spending time with family and pets. She graduated from the University of Phoenix in 2017 with an Associate of Arts with a concentration in Psychology. She continued her education graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Correctional Program Support Services in 2020. Kathryn enjoys working with members and wants to help guide a positive outlook in behavioral health services and life.

Parent Support Now Data Research Team Special Projects Team

Anna Jure
Parent Support Now Coordinator - Statewide
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Anna Jure
Parent Support Now Coordinator - Statewide
Jennifer Lopez
Special Projects Coordinator
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Jennifer Lopez
Special Projects Coordinator

Health and Wellness

Colton Glorioso
Health and Wellness Coordinator
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Colton Glorioso
Health and Wellness Coordinator

Transitional Age Youth

Stephen McClanahan
Transitional Age Youth Coordinator - Statewide
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Stephen McClanahan
Transitional Age Youth Coordinator - Statewide
Stephen is the Statewide Transitional Age Youth Coordinator for MIKID helping youth 13 to 25 with behavioral health services acquire the necessary skills to transition from high school and beyond. Stephen also trains other TAY providers and does community presentations sharing the MIKID TAY program. Stephen joined the MIKID family in August of 2015 as a direct service provider, providing Respite, Peer Support, Pre employment and living skill services to youth. Stephen graduated with a BA in Communications from Point Loma College in 1980. Stephen has worked with youth in some capacity since 1981, being a youth pastor, middle school after school program director, managing a city-wide baseball and softball league and as a family counselor as a Senior Pastor.
Noor Shafi, BHT
Transitional Age Youth Program Manager - Colorado
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Noor Shafi, BHT
Transitional Age Youth Program Manager - Colorado
Noor has 11 years of professional experience in human services, where she has assisted people with behavioral health challenges navigate the system and live better lives. She has lived experience personally, as well as through supporting members of her family. She graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a B.A. in Communication and Minor in Women and Gender Studies. As a first generation American, Noor has much understanding of how social inequality and cultural barriers can create struggles in accessing mental health supports. She is excited to be a part of the MIKID team and bring its services to Colorado!
 
 

Medical Records and Billing Team

Jennifer Diaz Montaño, BHT
Director of Health Information
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Jennifer Diaz Montaño, BHT
Director of Health Information
Jennifer has been with MIKID since 2012. She has over 11 years’ experience in the Behavioral Health Field, 3 of which were managerial. Jennifer is currently enrolled at Central AZ College where she is pursuing a Registered Health Information Technician (RHIT) credential. Jennifer integrates the medical records, billing, and quality management departments. Currently, Jennifer is our only administrative employee who is also a direct service provider. Jennifer is an Arizona native, who married her high school sweetheart in 2018. In her free time, she enjoys expanding her shoe collection, going to the movies and is looking forward to starting her own family in the near future.
Angelica Gonzales
Billing Manager
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Angelica Gonzales
Billing Manager

Angelica joined MIKID as the statewide billing manager in May 2021 and has 18 years’ experience working with behavioral health claims. She began her career in 2003 as a claims assistant progressing to manager in 2016.

Angelica is originally from California. However, she has lived in Arizona over 28 years and now considers Arizona her native state. In her free time, she enjoys going to the movies, trying out new cuisine and is looking forward to traveling around the United States. Angelica looks forward to helping make a difference at MIKID.

Jamie Clark
Billing Specialist
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Jamie Clark
Billing Specialist
Jamie joined the MIKID team as the billing specialist in February 2013. She has been happily married for almost 20 years and has 3 children. Jamie has 17 years experience in the billing field. She began her start in billing while working for a radiology group for 8 years, spending the last 5 of those years as billing manager. She then moved on to a nephrology group where she worked for 7 years doing the billing for patients with kidney disease. When the opportunity came along to work for MIKID, she decided to try something new and has enjoyed the experience that behavioral health billing has given her.
Janea Keene
Billing Specialist
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Janea Keene
Billing Specialist
Janea first joined the MIKID team in 2014 in medical records department until March of 2015. She took a year off to spend time with her husband and two young children. She returned to MIKID in 2016 as the Northern AZ Referral Coordinator. Janea has had experience as a provider in the CUSD school district, as well as in home therapy. Janea also has 3 years’ experience being a Supervisor for an after school DDD program. Janea also worked independently with youth transitioning into adulthood for 2 years. With the growing demands of her family, Janea was ready to try something new. Medical records has provided Janea a foundation to grow as an employee by helping develop new processes within the medical records team, learning connections between providers, medical records and billing. Always ready for a challenge, Janea has now fully transitioned to the billing department. She is excited to see what the billing world in behavior health has to offer. When she’s not working, she enjoys spending time with her family camping, riding at the sand dunes and also spending time at the lake on her family boat
Julie Herrera
Medical Records Lead Statewide
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Julie Herrera
Medical Records Lead Statewide
Julie Herrera is the Medical Records Lead for MIKID. Julie is instrumental in data and outcomes reports for our administrative, clinical, and managerial staff. Julie has worked in behavioral health as a Medical Records Specialist for the past 6 years and was promoted in June 2021. Julie has lived life experience and is certified as a Family Support Partner. Julie resides in Yuma, AZ with her significant other and their 3 kids. When she is not working hard she enjoys her time traveling and shopping.
Debbie Kennedy
Medical Records Specialist - Tucson
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Debbie Kennedy
Medical Records Specialist - Tucson
Debbie was born in Chicago, Illinois and lived there until the age of 16 when her parents had enough of the winters and moved the family to Southern California. Debbie also lived in Las Vegas for many years and met and married her husband of 19 years there. Debbie’s husband Rick is a native of Tucson and they moved to AZ in the spring of 2013 to be closer to family. Debbie started her career with MIKID in January 2014. When not working Debbie enjoys spending time with her family and all of her fur-babies.
Beth Williams
Medical Records Specialist - Northern Arizona
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Beth Williams
Medical Records Specialist - Northern Arizona
Beth has been with MIKID since April 2013. After spending 30 years in food service management, she began to look for a new challenge. She wanted to work in an industry that supported children and youth in need, an area that is dear to Beth’s heart. She started as the Office Assistant in the old Prescott office and , when family needs dictated, was able to move her job to work from home in Tucson. 3 years ago, she moved to the Medical Records department and hasn’t looked back. Medical Records offered another new challenge, growth and the opportunity to continue to work from home. After raising two, now adult, children (looking forward to adding a son-in -law), she is now an empty nester. Spending time with her husband of 32 years is now one of her main focuses. She has been a huge fan of K-pop and Korean culture for almost 8 years, with K-pop music on her Spotify and watching Korean TV show (with English subtitles) as her way of de-stressing.
Ana Wadley
Medical Records Specialist - Phoenix and Central Arizona
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Ana Wadley
Medical Records Specialist - Phoenix and Central Arizona
Ana started at MIKID as a Family Support Partner on May 30, 2016, taking a leave of absence on March 10, 2018. Ana came back to MIKID on December 9, 2019, as a receptionist for the Tucson office, and on April 5, 2020, transition to Phoenix Medical record specialist. Ana is a mother of 3 and a proud grandmother of 3, having 24-year experience with a daughter with speech and anxiety challenges and 22-years of experience with a son that has behavioral challenges.
Cynthia Stretch
Medical Records Manager
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Cynthia Stretch
Medical Records Manager

Cynthia is a native Arizonan and has worked in the medical field prior to MIKID as a biller, coder, and surgery scheduler.
Cindy also has a background in semi-conductor manufacturing as a Quality Control Specialist and as seasonal fashion model for Macy's, Bullock's Wilshire and Dress Barn in their junior wear departments.
Cindy enjoys spending her free time with her seven daughters and one son and volunteering with her aunt at the Wickenburg Senior Center. She also teaches tap and clog to her Girl Scout Troop and is an instructor of Country-Western line dancing at a national steakhouse franchise located throughout the southwest United States.
Aspiring to play characters like Truly Scrumptious, Cindy is currently attending Arizona State University working on her Masters in Performing Arts.
Cindy is excited to be a part of MIKID and looks forward to marrying her high-school sweetheart Christmas 2022.

Julie Urbina
Statewide Billing Specialist
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Julie Urbina
Statewide Billing Specialist

Julie joined MIKID in May of 2022 as a billing specialist. She joined MIKID right after graduating from a medical billing and coding program and is working towards certification in coding. Before school she worked in coordinating home health services for patients coming out of hospitals and nursing facilities.

When she’s not at work, Julie likes to spend time with family and friends, eating good food or going to concerts to enjoy live music. She also loves to take her dog to new parks around Phoenix

Administrative Team

Wendy Russ
Staff Accountant
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Wendy Russ
Staff Accountant
Staff Accountant
Regina Sotelo
Accounting Support Specialist
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Regina Sotelo
Accounting Support Specialist

Regina (Reggie) Sotelo began her career with Mikid in June 2022 as Mikid’s Accounting Support Specialist. Reggie is an Arizona native that has spent the last 9 years working as a free-lance accounting professional for various companies. Reggie’s original background was in Forensics. She worked at the Coconino County Medical Examiner’s Office for 6 years as a Forensic Investigator, conducting death scene investigations, autopsies, and was the internship coordinator teaching college students’ proper techniques in the field and in the autopsy suite. Reggie was also an adjunct professor in the Forensic Sciences program at Coconino Community College.

Reggie is a lifelong learner and holds a master’s degree in forensic science and a bachelor’s of science degree in criminal justice & criminology. Reggie plans on heading back to school to work on a bachelor’s degree in forensic accounting to help further her knowledge in accounting and investigative techniques.

In her free time, she travels the world, listens to lots of music, reads books on interior/landscape design, watches True Crime shows, reads Tarot, and spends time with her two pups, Brodie and Jacob.