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Staff

Via Services employs a multidisciplinary team of highly trained, caring professionals who have a sincere interest in serving children and adults with developmental disabilities and special needs.

Management and Administration

Kay R. Walker, Ed.D.Kay Walker
President and Chief Executive Officer

Kay has been with Via Services for 35 years, serving as Department Director of Clinical Services and Chief Operating Officer prior to assuming the position of President/CEO 18 years ago. She is the chief administrator of all affairs of the organization including planning, organizing and directing all aspects of the policies and activities as guided by the Board of Directors. She works closely with the Board and management staff to develop policies and procedures for the successful operation and management of Via, and provides coordination and liaison with current and potential constituencies to engage and influence them on behalf of people with disabilities and special needs. She holds a B.S. and license by the California Board of Medical Quality Assurance in Speech and Language Pathology, a M.A. in Learning Disabilities, and an Ed.D. in Educational Psychology. Kay’s formal education has been augmented with numerous workshops and seminars in management, organizational culture, marketing and public relations. She taught for six years in the masters program at the University of Santa Clara. Kay was the 2004-2005 President of the Rotary Club of San Jose Downtown and she participates actively in business and community events.

Leslie Leger
Vice President of Administration

Leslie began her career in the high tech field at Eakins Open Systems (EOS), a private technology company located in Mountain View, and was with the company until 2001. As Director of Operations at EOS, she was responsible for the business development of the IT consulting department as well as the oversight of sales administration, purchasing, shipping & receiving and general administration of the company. In April of 2001 Leslie left the high tech arena to move into the nonprofit sector. She joined Via Services in April of 2001 and is the Vice President of Administration for the organization. Her responsibilities include the oversight and management of all IT and HR functions for the organization as well as Board relations and working as the financial liaison for Via Services.

Beth Campanella
Advancement and Events Coordinator

Jennifer Kam
Business Development Officer

Yvonne Carter
Receptionist/Administrative Assistant

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First Step Early Intervention Program

 

Dena Bensing, M.S., CCC-SLP
Director of First Step Early Intervention Program

Dena graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Masters Degree in Communicative Disorders. She has been working with young children and their parents as a speech and language pathologist in Via’s First Step Early Intervention Program since September of 2006. Her passion is working with young children while providing direct training to parents and caregivers in techniques that enhance the development of speech and language skills. Dena’s pediatric experience includes individual and group therapy for children with a variety of speech and language impairments including developmental speech and language delays, articulation disorders, Apraxia, cleft palate, and autism spectrum disorders (ASD). In addition to providing direct services, Dena has relished the opportunity over the past several years to develop Via’s multi-disciplinary assessment teams in collaboration with the San Andreas Regional Center and the Santa Clara County Office of Education to determine eligibility of children from birth to age three for Early Start services. As Director of the First Step Early Intervention Program, Dena is responsible for and oversees all the early intervention clinical staff. Dena also plays a key role in the development and implementation of Via’s early intervention services. She is Hanen Certified and has received specialized training in PROMPT (Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets), Therapeutic Listening, oral placement therapy techniques, and Kaufman Speech Praxis (Apraxia).

Courtney Rood, M.A., CFY-SLP 
Speech and Language Pathologist

Damaris Llamas  
Administrative Assistant
Bilingual-Spanish

Desiree Q. Luong, B.A.  
Early Childhood Educator
Bilingual-Vietnamese

Elise Neudeck, M.A., ECSE  
Early Childhood Special Educator

Emily Braun, M.A., CCC-SLP  
Speech and Language Pathologist

Maggie Newman, M.A., OTR/L, BCP
Occupational Therapist

Maya Arango, B.A.  
Early Childhood Educator
Bilingual-Spanish

Nikki Franco, M.S., OTR/L  
Occupational Therapist

Rosalie Melgarejo, B.A.  
Early Childhood Educator
Bilingual-Spanish

Veronica Gonzalez-Beineke, M.S., CCC-SLP  
Speech and Language Pathologist
Bilingual-Spanish

Yvonne Carter  
Administrative Assistant

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Via West Campus

Leslie Davis                                                                                                                            
Director of the Via West Campus

Leslie is originally from the San Jose area and has resided here her entire life. She loves the area – the people, the weather, the spirit, etc. Her undergraduate degree is from Santa Clara University in Spanish and History in the teacher waiver program. She started her career in teaching – ESL, Spanish, and SPED. She moved into counseling in the public and private sector doing job development for persons with disabilities. Having worked with both adults and children with disabilities, she then returned to school to gain her Master’s Degree in Rehabilitative Counseling and Special Education from San Jose State University. She opened her own practice following that and provided transition, social security disability, and workers compensation to adults with disabilities. Feeling the need to get back to the young ones, she returned to the public sector and worked as a Special Education Manager for a growing group of charter schools. These schools served minority children in grades K through 5. She is quite happy with the fact that she was able to establish an inclusive program serving all children of all of needs in this highly academic charter school setting. In all of her positions, she specialized in bringing social/life skills to all clients. She is thrilled to now be with Via Services as her beliefs completely mirror the mission of the organization. Leslie believes in lifelong learning for EVERYONE and feels that this position will allow her to serve both adults and children in the most beautiful setting. She is a hands on manager and is very excited to lead Via West in its’ next phase.

Sandy Keefe, MSN, RN
Healthcare Manager & Associate Director

Molly Crum
Via West and Social Media Coordinator

Dave Gilbreth
Via West Services Manager

Rick Weber
Via West Campus Property Manager
 

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Employment Opportunities

To apply for employment  or volunteer opportunties with Via Services, please download and complete the applications below and return to Human Resources by faxing (408) 243-0452 or sending to 2851 Park Ave., Santa Clara, CA 95050.  For those interested in seasonal employment with Via West Campus, please fill out the online application.

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Positions Available

Open Position #1:

Director of Via West Campus

The Director of Via West Campus provides leadership, supervision and management of all Via West Campus programs including program development and implementation, staff recruitment, hiring, training and management, budget monitoring, fiscal management and control, risk management, strategic planning, and community involvement. Please email your resume to Leslie Davis.

RESPONSIBILITIES:
Program Development & Implementation: Design, deliver and evaluate innovative programs meeting current and emerging needs, maximize capacity, ensure accreditation/licensing/regulatory compliance, and ensure internal quality assurance standards that reflect Via’s “Living Healthy” organizational theme.
• Regularly seek and analyze input from participants, families/caregivers and staff regarding the quality, safety and enjoyment of the program and staff
• Keep informed of current trends, legislation and programs related to services through local, county, state and national meetings, workshops, seminars and literature
• Responsible for overseeing of all curriculum development, lesson planning, life skills training, community integration planning, etc.
• Understand the policies and mandates of the Lanterman Act; understand and keep current with Regional Center policies and those of other third party funding agencies
• Successfully implement crisis and risk management policies and procedures
• Assure compliance to American Camping Association standards, licensing and other regulatory agency standards, and all other requirements pertaining to health and safety of participants and staff
• Make recommendations to higher staff for the development of new programs
• Develop, implement and analyze program evaluation measures and quality assurance standards.

Staff Development: Attract and retain a high performing staff and leadership team. Recruit, train, supervise and evaluate Via West Campus staff including Associate Director/Health Care Manager, Facilities Manager, Services Manager, Seasonal Summer Manager, Seasonal Head Counselors, Seasonal Program Director, Seasonal Unit Directors, and Seasonal Counselors.
• Provide leadership and use a participatory management style to lead and engage staff to carry out the mission of Via
• Complete performance appraisals for full time staff and oversee performance evaluations for part time and seasonal staff
• Develop, implement and insure a quality volunteer program in collaboration with local schools, universities and service groups

Accreditation Accordance: Maintain accordance with all ACA standards – organize all activities related to re-accreditation as well as coordinate and produce all needed materials for presentation to auditors

Budget & Development, Fiscal Management and Control: Manage revenue growth, exercise expense control and improve productivity. Exercise fiscal management and control to meet short term and long term financial goals
• Adhere to budget expense and revenue figures as given; participate as needed in Finance Committee meetings to report performance
• Work with VPP and Department of Advancement to identify and develop potential revenue streams and
support grant writing
• Develop and implement strategies to maximize participant capacity, increase use groups and increase
productivity

Financial Development: Identify new revenue streams through programs, partnerships and use groups.
• Design and implement a marketing plan to increase participation and site use
• Raise awareness of Via West Campus services through effective marketing efforts to the public through
presentations to service clubs, corporations, universities, parent groups as appropriate
• Participate in meetings of the Marketing Committee and provide requested support
• Work hand in hand with Business Development Officer in promoting VW campus during tour visits and
also by visiting organizations and schools with potential participants


Facility Oversight: Oversee the management of property maintenance and development needs to ensure
responsible stewardship of current resources and identification of future needs


Risk Management: Implement organizational policies and procedures


Strategic Planning: participate in visioning and planning for current and expanding facility use and program
development


Community Involvement: developing relationships and partnerships with community organizations, growing and
sustaining supportive volunteer program

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES includes the supervision of full time staff, seasonal staff, volunteers and parttime
staff as assigned.


Minimum qualifications:
• Minimum BA/BS degree from an accredited university in special education or related field, Master’s degree
preferred
• Minimum of five years working with children and adults with disabilities, preferably with moderate to severe
population
• Minimum of five years of behavior management experience
• Proven track record of strong management, leadership and supervisory experience
• Self-directed, detail-oriented, analytical, creative team-player with strong communication skills
• Strong administrative skills and long-range planning experience
• Able to multi-task, problem solve, communicate constructively and effectively both verbally and in writing with
all levels of employees
• Recruitment & staff/volunteer management experience, including leadership & mentoring
• Proven track record of program design, development & customer satisfaction
• Experience with marketing, advertising, branding and strategic partnerships
• Valid California Driver’s License
• Clear DMV report
• $100,000 to $300,000 automobile insurance coverage
• Community CPR and First Aid
• Ability to lift and transfer clients
• Willingness to work long and unusual hours (weekends and holidays included)
• Minimum 25 years old

Open Position #2:

Early Childhood Educator

Via's First Step Early Intervention Program is seeking a Spanish-speaking Early Childhood Educator to conduct developmental screenings for children birth through 5 years living in Santa Clara County. The position requires solid understanding of early childhood development, independent ability to screen children across all developmental domains (speech/language, gross/fine motor, pre-academics, self-help), and ability to provide clear verbal and written recommendations to families and other professionals based on the results of the screening. The ideal candidate will be a "team-player" who enjoys working with young children and other professionals in a fast-paced dynamic environment. Please email your resume to jobs@viaservices.org.

Special Educators, Preschool Teachers, Speech/Language pathologists, SLP Assistants, and Occupational Therapists encouraged to apply, Early Childhood Special Ed Credential Preferred.

Minimum qualifications:
• BA/BS in child development, early childhood education, special education, communicative sciences or other related field
• Experience working with young children (birth through 5 years)
• Bilingual Spanish/English (fluent in Spanish and strong verbal/written skills in English)
• Clinical experience with detecting early developmental delays
• Knowledge of and exposure to children with developmental delays/disabilities
• Physically able lift approx. 25 pounds
• Must have own reliable motor vehicle transportation (mileage is reimbursed).

 
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