ABOUT NEW DIRECTIONS FOR YOUNG ADULTS
The goal of New Directions is to prepare young adults to live independent lives. Our program is comprehensive and client-centered, providing an individualized service plan for each participant. Support is provided through a multi-disciplinary clinical approach, and incorporates educational, vocational, independent living, health, social and recreational goals. New Directions supports students with executive functioning deficits due to a variety of developmental and/or psychological disorders who are willing to participate in the program and capable of learning the skills needed to live independently. Services can be gradually tapered to allow students to exercise the independence they have learned in the program.
The crux of the New Directions program is the Individualized Service Plan (ISP). The initial plan is developed using input from the student, the family, transcripts, standardized test scores, psycho-educational reports, and results from assessments administered by New Directions. Long and short term goals will be developed in three areas; education & vocational, life management, and psychosocial. The ISP will be re-evaluated regularly so as to assess progress in each area and to make any necessary adjustments.
OUR TEAM
Regina Ntongo
Program Mentor, CARegina attended Diablo Valley college before transferring to UC Berkeley where she received her bachelor’s.
Taylor Lyng
Program Mentor, CATaylor is a mentor at New Directions and is currently pursuing a degree in psychology..
Erick Rivera
Program Mentor, CAErick graduated Santa Clara University with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health and has.
Andrew S. Rubin, Ph.D.
Chief Executive Officer, Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Florida, California & New YorkDr. Rubin is a licensed clinical psychologist, founder of the international society for autism (ISAresearch.org),.
Michael Kellen, Ph.D.
Clinical Director, Licensed Clinical Psychologist, FLDr. Michael Kellen received his clinical and neuropsychological training at The University of Nebraska Medical.
Aron Tendler, M.D. C.BSM.
Licensed Psychiatrist, FLDr. Aron Tendler met and trained with Dr. Rubin at Tulane University’s Department of Psychiatry.
Erica Rubin, BA
Director of the International Society for AutismErica French is a graduate of Michigan State University, where she obtained a degree in.
Rana Conneway, MS
Licensed Mental Health Counselor and National Certified Counselor, FLRana received her Masters of Science for applied psychology with a focus in clinical counseling.
Serena Tsang
Program Mentor, CASerena graduated from Mills College in 2015 with a B.S. in Biopsychology. After graduation, she.
Jonathan Cattarin
Office Manager, CAJonathan graduated from Chico State in 2013 with a Bachelors degree in Applied Computer Graphics. Having returned.
Tom Williams
Program Assistant/MORS Coordinator, FLPrior to moving to Florida, Tom practiced real estate for nearly 15 years in Connecticut,.
Tari Calow
Program Resident Assistant, FLTari Calow is the Resident Advisor for the female residence at New Directions for Young.
Carolyn Schramm
Personal Trainer, FLCarolyn Schramm is a native of Brooklyn, NY, but lived most of her life in.
Anthony Adornato
New Directions Driver, FLAnthony was born in Bronx, New York. He attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel Elementary, Columbus.
Suzanne Moore
Receptionist, FLRaised in South Florida, Suzanne loves to spend time with her family traveling, boating, going to.
Kayla Edmonson
Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern with the State of Florida (RMHC)Kayla Edmonson was born and raised in a small town located in New Jersey. Kayla.
Paula Breen, BA
Director of Vocational Services, FLPaula Breen is originally from Savannah, NY, which is just an hour outside of Syracuse..
Alicia Lang
Program Director, CAAlicia has a passion for working with youth and young adults. Prior to joining the.
Monica Abreu
Program Mentor, CAMonica graduated from Notre Dame de Namur University in Belmont, California in 2016. She acquired.
Gerald Bejarin
Academic Coordinator, CAGerald graduated from Sacramento State in 2016 with a B.A in Communication Studies. After taking.
Jorge Esquivel
Program Mentor, CAJorge recently obtained his bachelors degree in administration of criminal justice and is planning on.
Colleen Sammut
Lead Mentor & Trainer, CAColleen is currently pursuing a degree in music education. She has worked developing leadership curriculum.
Andrea Ortiz
Vocational Coordinator, CAAndrea graduated in 2014 from UC Santa Cruz with a B.A. in Anthropology and a.
Dwan Vance
Program Mentor, CADwan has worked with adolescents and young adults with special needs in a variety of.
Jeanette Durand
Art Teacher, CAJeanette Durand teaches our art group and is a professional artist working in textiles, photography,.
Connie Wisesan
Program Mentor, CAConnie has a strong desire to support people in growth and ease in living. She.
Rexford Bloxsom-Carter, M.A.
Primary Clinician / Psychological Assistant, CARexford Bloxsom-Carter M.A. is a doctoral candidate at California School of Professional Psychology, specializing in.
Gabriella Crivello, M.A., AMFT, APCC
Clinician, CAGabriella is a registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist and Associate Professional Clinical Counselor at.
Senda Newman, MA, ASW
Clinician, CABefore following her passion to work with young adults, Senda was a Licensed Clinical Social.
Tim Langerholc, M.Ed.
Assistant Program Director & Student Financial Skills Team, FL Department:Clinical, FinancialTim was born near Chicago, lived briefly in Arizona, and moved to Florida at the.
Jana Corral, M.A., LMFT
Managing Director, CAJana Corral, MA Psy., LMFT Jana Corral has Master’s Degree in Psychology and is a.
Sydney Fontanares Psy.D
Licensed Clinical Psychologist, CASydney Fontanares is a Post-Doctoral Fellow at New Directions in California. She received her Doctorate in.
Christina Remek, Psy.D.
Therapist, FLDr. Christina Remek is a postdoctoral psychology fellow completing her clinical hours at New Directions.
Bobby Jividen, BA, BS
Academic Director, FLBobby was born in California and grew up in Ohio before moving to South Florida.
Melanie Silver
Program Director, FlMelanie Silver attained her Bachelor’s and Master’s of Psychology from The New School for Social.
Lori Rubin
Program Assistant, FLLori Rubin was educated at Hofstra University where she studied Gerontology and Psychology. She was.
Bill Jones
Chief Financial Officer, FLBill comes from a thirty plus year career in Investment Banking operations. In fact, it.
Stephanie Palma Morales
Program Mentor, CAStephanie is a Bay Area native and recently graduated from University of California, Merced. She.
Brian Foster
Program Mentor, CABrian graduated from California State University, Chico with a B.A. in history. He has worked.
Danielle Ott
Program Mentor, FLDanielle was born and raised in South Florida and graduated from Cypress Bay High School.
Kevin Maloy
Digital Marketer and Social Media Specialist, FLKevin Maloy is a FIU graduate, with a Bachelor's in Marketing. He specializes in website.
Demarcus Moorman
Program Mentor, FLDemarcus was born and raised in sunny South Florida. He served in the military for.
Keara Martinez
Program Assistant, FLKeara is currently enrolled in the Master of Social Work program at FIU. Interested in.
Courtney Larsen
Program Mentor, FLCourtney graduated from Prairie View A&M University in 2011 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal.
Carley Hilburn
Program Mentor, FLCarley Hilburn is from a small town in Pennsylvania named Doylestown PA. She decided to.
Ray Garcia
Program Assistant, FLRay was born and raised in South Florida. He graduated from Coconut Creek High School.
Ben Almog
Financial Instructor, FLBen Almog lived in Israel, prior to moving to the United States in 1989. He.
Caitlin DeFlaun
Admissions Coordinator, FLCaitlin DeFlaun is a Connecticut native who has spent time in the past 10 years.
Michelle West
Financial Coordinator, CAMichelle graduated from UC Berkeley in 2015 with a B.A. in Classical Civilizations. She plans.
Dina Barker
Administrative Assistant, CAAt New Directions, Dina is an administrative assistant. She graduated from San Francisco State University.
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