The Community Services Department takes the lead in recruiting, developing, training, and providing technical assistance to potential and current service providers. Community Services is also responsible for specific special projects, such as the agency newsletter as well as involvement with the regional center’s community placement plan.
Community Services Department
Community Services Director
Heather Odle
Community Services Director
707-445-0893 Ext. 334
hodle@redwoodcoastrc.org
Community Services Managers
Sierra Braggs
CMS Waiver and Employment Specialist Manager
707-445-0893 Ext. 348
sbraggs@redwoodcoastrc.org
Jessica Moulton-Hadley
Quality Assurance and Improvement Manager
707-445-0893 Ext. 323
jmoulton@redwoodcoastrc.org
Sheila Keys
Participant Choice Manager
Self-Determination Program
707-462-3832 Ext. 254
skeys@redwoodcoastrc.org
Alex Ostell
Participant Choice Manager
Self-Determination Program
707-445-0893 Ext. 317
aostell@redwoodcoastrc.org
Morgan Knight
Family Home Agency Manager
707-462-3832 Ext. 220
mknight@redwoodcoastrc.org
Ali Husain
Employment Services Manager
707-445-0893 Ext. 335
ahusain@redwoodcoastrc.org
Community Resource Managers
Humboldt County
Mara Moulton-Rizzo
Community Resource Manager
707-445-0893 Ext. 349
mmoulton-rizzo@redwoodcoastrc.org
Del Norte County
Nicole Murphy (01/16/2025)
Community Resource Manager
707-464-7488 Ext. 412
nmurphy@redwoodcoastrc.org
Mendocino County
Cris Duhon
Community Resource Manager
707-462-3832 Ext. 235
cduhon@redwoodcoastrc.org
Lake County
Alex Fincher
Community Resource Manager
707-262-0470 Ext. 613
afincher@redwoodcoastrc.org
Community Services Quality Assurance Specialists
Nicole Andre
707-262-0470 Ext. 651
nandre@redwoodcoastrc.org
Vendorization & Rates Coordinators
Cristina Gomez
707-462-3832 Ext. 228
crgomez@redwoodcoastrc.org
Kimberly Paz
707-462-3832 Ext. 263
kpaz@redwoodcoastrc.org
Client Advocates
Elizabeth Hassler
707-445-0893 Ext. 321
ehassler@redwoodcoastrc.org
Alex Bland
707-462-3832 Ext. 280
abland@redwoodcoastrc.org
Amanda Chellberg
707-262-0470 Ext. 624
achellberg@redwoodcoastrc.org
Lex Valtenbergs
707-445-0893 Ext. 388
lvaltenbergs@redwoodcoastrc.org
Special Programs Unit
Jerry Freitas
Special Programs Unit Manager
707-464-7488 Ext. 412
jfreitas@redwoodcoastrc.org
Sherri DeSoto
SIR Coordinator
707-964-6387 Ext. 511
sdesoto@redwoodcoastrc.org
Laura Belarbi
SIR Coordinator (01/16/2025)
707-464-7488 Ext. 424
lbelarbi@redwoodcoastrc.org
Melissa Bray
Medicaid Waiver Coordinator
707-464-7488 Ext. 421
mbray@redwoodcoastrc.org
Michelle Powers
Special Programs Unit Assistant
707-445-0893 Ext. 330
mpowers@redwoodcoastrc.org
Administrative Assistant
Maria Hernandez
707-445-0893 Ext. 342
mhernandez@redwoodcoastrc.org
Community Placement Plan
In Fiscal Year 2000/01, the California Department of Developmental Services (DDS) introduced the Community Placement Plan (CPP). The CPP offered to Regional Centers a balance of supporting individuals to transition from State Developmental Centers (SDC) into local community living arrangements and assisting persons already living in community settings but at risk of being referred to an SDC for a variety of reasons. This latter portion of the CPP effort is known as “deflection.” These two elements of the Community Placement Plan have become widely known as out-placement and deflection.
The Community Service Department supports the efforts of the Regional Center’s CPP by creating residential, day service, and other services and supports for individuals exiting SDC’s and those at risk of entering one. The Community Services Department accomplishes this through Request for Proposals (RFP’s) that seek applicants to apply for start-up funding given to the Regional Center by DDS.
Leah Thompson
Community Resource Coordinator-CPP
707-616-2207
lthompson@redwoodcoastrc.org