Elena Sanchez, Executive Director
(elena.sanchez@parentsplacefrc.com)
Elena lives and breathes the Parents' Place mission of "Empowering families of children with special needs through education and community resources." She began her career at Parents' Place as a volunteer at the Information Fair & Festival in 1998. She continued to learn and grow in the helping process and became a Family Resource Specialist. She then moved on to be Outreach Coordinator, Support Group Coordinator, Project Manager, Payroll Assistant, Director's Assistant and Interim Director. Having worked at Parents' Place for the last 18 years, the Board is confident that her considerable experience will serve Parents' Place and our community well.
Elena's strengths are drawn from her personal experience, having raised twin boys who were born premature and medically fragile; she has come to understand the struggles and triumphs that many families may encounter. Please join us in congratulating Elena Sanchez in her promotion and welcoming her in the Executive Director position. We are confident that she will continue to do her absolute best in serving our community. Together, the Board and the Parents' Place Staff are devoted to providing support and resources to families in their journey of raising children with special needs.
(elena.sanchez@parentsplacefrc.com)
Elena lives and breathes the Parents' Place mission of "Empowering families of children with special needs through education and community resources." She began her career at Parents' Place as a volunteer at the Information Fair & Festival in 1998. She continued to learn and grow in the helping process and became a Family Resource Specialist. She then moved on to be Outreach Coordinator, Support Group Coordinator, Project Manager, Payroll Assistant, Director's Assistant and Interim Director. Having worked at Parents' Place for the last 18 years, the Board is confident that her considerable experience will serve Parents' Place and our community well.
Elena's strengths are drawn from her personal experience, having raised twin boys who were born premature and medically fragile; she has come to understand the struggles and triumphs that many families may encounter. Please join us in congratulating Elena Sanchez in her promotion and welcoming her in the Executive Director position. We are confident that she will continue to do her absolute best in serving our community. Together, the Board and the Parents' Place Staff are devoted to providing support and resources to families in their journey of raising children with special needs.
Maria D. Luna, Administrative Assistant
(maria.luna@parentsplacefrc.com)
My name is Maria D. Luna. I am the Administrative Assistant, Community Navigator, and Teen
Titans Support Group facilitator at Parents’ Place. I am bilingual in English and Spanish. I am a
parent of a child with ADHD & Emotional Disorders. I have 12 years of experience in the Social
Services field. Before working at Parents’ Place, I was a Family Support Specialist at the PTI for
Southern California TASK, where I enjoyed helping and educating families and professionals
on special education and how to navigate the special education maze. I love being a part of the
Parents’ Place Family Resource and Empowerment Center team. I, too, continue learning about
services that help me and my family through our journey. I feel blessed to work with an
extraordinary team at Parents’ Place, where our mission is to help families where they are. If
you need any help, please contact me directly.
(maria.luna@parentsplacefrc.com)
My name is Maria D. Luna. I am the Administrative Assistant, Community Navigator, and Teen
Titans Support Group facilitator at Parents’ Place. I am bilingual in English and Spanish. I am a
parent of a child with ADHD & Emotional Disorders. I have 12 years of experience in the Social
Services field. Before working at Parents’ Place, I was a Family Support Specialist at the PTI for
Southern California TASK, where I enjoyed helping and educating families and professionals
on special education and how to navigate the special education maze. I love being a part of the
Parents’ Place Family Resource and Empowerment Center team. I, too, continue learning about
services that help me and my family through our journey. I feel blessed to work with an
extraordinary team at Parents’ Place, where our mission is to help families where they are. If
you need any help, please contact me directly.
Celia Fletes, Bilingual Family Resource Specialist/Community Navigator
(cfletes@parentsplacefrc.com)
Hi! My name is Celia Fletes. I am a Bilingual Family Resource Specialist. I am proud to say I have over 28 years of experience in the social services field. Most of my experience is serving adults and children with special needs and was an Early Interventionist for several years. When my child was a toddler, she received early intervention from the Regional Center. I currently facilitate the Parents’ Place “Play to Learn” workshop and facilitate the “Young Adult” social group here at Parents’ Place. I enjoy being a part of Parents’ Place FRC because I feel we bring a positive impact on the families and Individuals’ we serve.
(cfletes@parentsplacefrc.com)
Hi! My name is Celia Fletes. I am a Bilingual Family Resource Specialist. I am proud to say I have over 28 years of experience in the social services field. Most of my experience is serving adults and children with special needs and was an Early Interventionist for several years. When my child was a toddler, she received early intervention from the Regional Center. I currently facilitate the Parents’ Place “Play to Learn” workshop and facilitate the “Young Adult” social group here at Parents’ Place. I enjoy being a part of Parents’ Place FRC because I feel we bring a positive impact on the families and Individuals’ we serve.
Connie Kwok, Trilingual Family Resource Specialist/Community Navigator
(connie.k@parentsplacefrc.com)
I am a Family Support Specialist and provide support to families. I am trilingual in English,
Mandarin & Cantonese. I am very pleased to serve families in the community. Part of my job
is facilitating the Chinese parent support group for Parents’ Place. My 22-year-old son has
autism and I have come to understand the necessary support and resources needed by
parents who have children with special needs.
(connie.k@parentsplacefrc.com)
I am a Family Support Specialist and provide support to families. I am trilingual in English,
Mandarin & Cantonese. I am very pleased to serve families in the community. Part of my job
is facilitating the Chinese parent support group for Parents’ Place. My 22-year-old son has
autism and I have come to understand the necessary support and resources needed by
parents who have children with special needs.
T.L., Family Resource Specialist/Community Navigator
I am a Family Support Specialist and a representative for the California Autism Professional
Training and Information Network (CAPTAIN). As a parent of a child with special needs, I
have a passion to help families of children with special needs. I enjoy collaborating with
other agencies and have served on the Community Advisory Committee for The ESGV SELPA
since 2009 and as council chair for the last 5 years. I find my work valuable and rewarding
working with parents, districts and teachers who may struggle with special education issues.
I am a Family Support Specialist and a representative for the California Autism Professional
Training and Information Network (CAPTAIN). As a parent of a child with special needs, I
have a passion to help families of children with special needs. I enjoy collaborating with
other agencies and have served on the Community Advisory Committee for The ESGV SELPA
since 2009 and as council chair for the last 5 years. I find my work valuable and rewarding
working with parents, districts and teachers who may struggle with special education issues.
Veronica Ochoa, Receptionist/Data Specialist
(veronica.ochoa@parentsplacefrc.com)
Hi, my name is Veronica Ochoa
I am a Bilingual Receptionist/Data Specialist. I learned about Parents’ Place through a friend whose child receives services through Parents’ Place. She invited me to volunteer at Parents’ Place for their annual Christmas party. This is where I learned about Parent’s Place. I was impressed to hear of the many services they provide to families as they provide hope and support for families with children/young adults with special needs through education and community resources. Having a nephew with special needs, I see the importance of their mission and appreciate being a part of the Parents’ Place team.
Hola mi nombre es Verónica Ochoa
Soy recepcionista bilingüe/especialista en datos. Me enteré de Parents’ Place a través de un amiga cuyo hijo recibe servicios a través de Parents’ Place. Me invitó a ser voluntaria en Parents’ Place para su fiesta
anual de Navidad. Aquí es donde aprendí sobre Parent's Place. Me impresionó escuchar sobre los muchos
servicios que brindan a las familias, ya que brindan esperanza y apoyo a las familias con niños/jóvenes
adultos con necesidades especiales a través de la educación y los recursos comunitarios. Al tener un
sobrino con necesidades especiales, veo la importancia de su misión y aprecio ser parte del equipo de
Parents’ Place.
(veronica.ochoa@parentsplacefrc.com)
Hi, my name is Veronica Ochoa
I am a Bilingual Receptionist/Data Specialist. I learned about Parents’ Place through a friend whose child receives services through Parents’ Place. She invited me to volunteer at Parents’ Place for their annual Christmas party. This is where I learned about Parent’s Place. I was impressed to hear of the many services they provide to families as they provide hope and support for families with children/young adults with special needs through education and community resources. Having a nephew with special needs, I see the importance of their mission and appreciate being a part of the Parents’ Place team.
Hola mi nombre es Verónica Ochoa
Soy recepcionista bilingüe/especialista en datos. Me enteré de Parents’ Place a través de un amiga cuyo hijo recibe servicios a través de Parents’ Place. Me invitó a ser voluntaria en Parents’ Place para su fiesta
anual de Navidad. Aquí es donde aprendí sobre Parent's Place. Me impresionó escuchar sobre los muchos
servicios que brindan a las familias, ya que brindan esperanza y apoyo a las familias con niños/jóvenes
adultos con necesidades especiales a través de la educación y los recursos comunitarios. Al tener un
sobrino con necesidades especiales, veo la importancia de su misión y aprecio ser parte del equipo de
Parents’ Place.
Lucia Perez, Family Resource Specialist/Community Navigator
(lucia.perez@parentsplacefrc.com)
I am a Family Resource Specialist and provide support to families. I am bilingual in English
and Spanish. I enjoy helping families in our community. I have been working with families
with special needs for over 17 years. Prior to working at Parents’ Place, I was a Life skills
coach for 7 years, then program coordinator for a behavioral program for 10 years. My
extensive experience in working with individuals with special needs has allowed me to help
families within the communities Parents’ Place serves. I am pleased to be working with a great
team here at Parents’ Place and to work with the Teen Titans & Young Adult Social Group.
(lucia.perez@parentsplacefrc.com)
I am a Family Resource Specialist and provide support to families. I am bilingual in English
and Spanish. I enjoy helping families in our community. I have been working with families
with special needs for over 17 years. Prior to working at Parents’ Place, I was a Life skills
coach for 7 years, then program coordinator for a behavioral program for 10 years. My
extensive experience in working with individuals with special needs has allowed me to help
families within the communities Parents’ Place serves. I am pleased to be working with a great
team here at Parents’ Place and to work with the Teen Titans & Young Adult Social Group.
Ines Villegas, Spanish Family Resource Specialist/Community Navigator
(ines.villegas@parentsplacefrc.com)
Parents' Place me abrió las puertas hace más de 10 años en donde alcanzo a comprender y
obtener una visión y enfoque diferente de reforzamiento y cooperación a las familias que se
encuentran involucradas a una persona con una condicion. Mi experiencia como maestra,
terapeuta, y docente universitario en Educación Especial obran en mí una gran pasión por servir
a esta gran comunidad.
Parents' Place opened the doors for me more than 10 years ago. Here I can understand and
obtain a different vision and approach of reinforcement and cooperation to the families that
find a person with a condition involved. My experience as a teacher therapist, and university
professor in Special Education work to give me a great passion to serve to this great community.
(ines.villegas@parentsplacefrc.com)
Parents' Place me abrió las puertas hace más de 10 años en donde alcanzo a comprender y
obtener una visión y enfoque diferente de reforzamiento y cooperación a las familias que se
encuentran involucradas a una persona con una condicion. Mi experiencia como maestra,
terapeuta, y docente universitario en Educación Especial obran en mí una gran pasión por servir
a esta gran comunidad.
Parents' Place opened the doors for me more than 10 years ago. Here I can understand and
obtain a different vision and approach of reinforcement and cooperation to the families that
find a person with a condition involved. My experience as a teacher therapist, and university
professor in Special Education work to give me a great passion to serve to this great community.