Our Core Team
Chelsie hicks - Assistant director
Chelsie attended the University of Tennessee where she studied Psychology and Child and Family Studies. She is currently pursuing Board Certification. Chelsie has worked with children in different capacities over the past 7 years and she takes pride in helping to nurture the next generation.
In Chelsie's spare time she enjoys spending time in nature with her dogs and exploring new places.
Mia Solomon - Behavior Technician Parent-Student-staff advocate
Mia Solomon is a dedicated Behavior Technician who has extensive experience as a direct support professional. She is passionate about fostering client autonomy and individual rights. She enjoys creative writing and spending time in nature, including cold plunges in our local mountain rivers!
Mia's dedication to families and clients has made her a natural choice to serve as our client and staff advocate. In her role as advocate Mia works to preserve the rights, dignity, and choices of those we serve.
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Haley Stewart - Educational Consultant
Haley is a certified teacher in Virginia as well as a Registered Behavior Technician. She has completed her coursework to become a BCBA and is actively working on certification.
Haley has a Masters Degree in Special Education. She served as the EC Department Head at East Henderson High School, and has also worked directly as a special education teacher. Haley has extensive experience working with, and supporting children on the autism spectrum.
Iliana guardado - interpreter
Iliana is our resident interpreter. She is from Guadalajara Jalisco Mexico. She has worked professionally as a medical interpreter.
Iliana is presently working to complete her coursework to become a registered behavior technician. As a parent of a child on the autism spectrum, Iliana comes with a personal understanding of the challenges families face.
nialah garcia - registered Behavior Technician
Nialah holds a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and Art Therapy. Her favorite part about being an RBT is working together with children to accomplish their goals.
In her spare time Nialah enjoys pursing her varied artistic interests.
harmony heyes - registered Behavior Technician
Harmony graduated from Western Carolina University in 2024 with a BS in Psychology, She has been working with children with autism since April 2025. She enjoys working with children and seeing them grow in their independence.
When not at work Harmony enjoys spending time with her family, playing video games, and reading.
alurah burton - registered Behavior Technician
Alurah us presently pursuing a degree in Early Childhood Education and Development. She has worked as an RBT for almost 2 years. Alurah says her favorite part about the job is "being a part of the growth and development of tiny humans."
Alurah enjoys crafting, collecting, coloring and astrology in her spare time.
Emily Karst - Registered Behavior Technician
Emily is a dedicated Behavior Technician with a strong commitment to supporting clients and families. With a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a minor in Communication from Indiana, she brings both expertise and compassion to her work. She has worked as an RBT since 2020.
Outside of work Emily loves being outside, spending time with loves ones and activities like cooking, pickleball, and tennis.