The Infant Toddler Mental Health Coalition of Arizona
The Infant Toddler Mental Health Coalition of Arizona
Kelly Lalan serves as the Health Choice Arizona ASD, CRS and Birth to Five Clinical Care Coordinator. She grew up in Littleton, Colorado, obtained her bachelors degree from NAU in 2007 and her Masters of Social Work from ASU in 2016. Since taking on her current role, Kelly has worked to establish a Birth Through Five program for her health plan and put on a statewide Autism conference. In her collaboration with this work group, she intends to enhance awareness of ITMHCA's mission, goals, and values and to promote the health and wellness of this population among peers and professionals.
Desirae began volunteering on the ITMHCA Board of Directors in 2020. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Family Life Education-Child Development from the University of Central Oklahoma and a Master of Advanced Studies Degree in Infant-Family Practice from Arizona State University. She has been a member of the ITMHCA since 2010 and is endorsed as an Infant-Family Specialist. Desirae has worked for many years in various capacities to empower families and as a voice for young children, including in early childhood education, the Division of Developmental Disabilities, and the Arizona Early Intervention Program. She is currently providing therapeutic services as a Child and Family Therapist, specializing in early childhood mental health, at Casa de los Niños in Tucson, AZ.
Christine Waldbeiser has dedicated her professional career to serving families and children for over 15 years. She currently serves as Program Specialist for Family Support and Literacy at First Thing First, supporting the implementation of home and community-based early childhood family support programs, with a primary focus on home visitation. She leads and participates in statewide initiatives and collaborations with local, state and national partners aiming to enhance the family support system in Arizona. She started her career providing direct service and has held roles as a high-needs case manager, supporting families in home, community, and behavioral health settings, and providing support in navigating through complex systems. She has also held roles in quality improvement and staff support, and, through these experiences, recognizes the systemic and structural barriers faced by Arizona's most vulnerable children and families and the importance of building and sustaining a strong workforce. Christine has a B.S. in Family Social Science from the University of Minnesota and is a certified trainer of the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3 and ASQ-SE) and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).
Sally has served on the ITMHCA Board since 2018 and is currently the treasurer. She previously served as a liaison to the Board representing her background in pediatric health care and her role as a court-appointed special advocate (CASA) working with infants and toddlers.
Sally completed her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in nursing at Ohio State University. Her work activities have centered around pediatric health care and nursing education. She completed her professional career at Phoenix Children's Hospital, retiring as Director of Community Outreach and Injury Prevention Center. Sally currently completes project work as needed with the clinical education department at PCH.
Her volunteer role with ITMHCA is a priority. Understanding the needs of our young children, supporting the development of professionals who care for young families, assuring a well prepared work force caring for our most vulnerable young children and families, and advocating for those needs - these are ITMHCA's mission directed efforts.
Nichol is a member of the Children's System of Care at Mercy Care, working to support the healthcare needs of Arizona's children, with a special focus on birth to five and child welfare. Nichol worked as an elementary school teacher in South Phoenix and after finishing her Master of Education in 2009, she moved over to behavioral health, working in direct practice while working on a Master of Social Work at Arizona State University (Fork ‘em Devils!). For the last 10 years Nichol has worked with Arizona Medicaid health plans, and currently she is a project manager in the Mercy Care Children's System of Care. In this role, she manages data, supports and develops policy, programs, and trainings, and works to increase access to care for the Birth to Five and child welfare population.
Monica McDonough, LMSW, IMH-E® is a Program Manager with the Arizona Department of Child Safety (DCS) working in Arizona child welfare since 1998. She is also a Faculty Associate for Arizona State University's School of Social Work Program since 2021. In her current position as a DCS Program Manager she leads four child welfare units in Southeastern Arizona. She has maintained her Infant Mental Health Endorsement since 2012 as an Infant Family Specialist and in 2023 she earned her Infant Family Reflective Supervisor Endorsement. Monica has developed various trainings to increase awareness and systematic change related to infant-toddler mental health, child welfare and reflective supervision. In 2018 she co-authored a publication in the Zero to Three Journal (Vol 39 No 2) entitled "Improving Outcomes for Infants, Toddlers and Families Involved with Child Welfare Through Professional Relationships." Monica devotes her time as an Endorsement Advisor for ITMHCA and recently became a board member in 2023. Monica provides reflective supervision and consultation in both individual and group settings.
Nicole has served on the Board of Directors for the Infant Toddler Mental Health Coalition of Arizona since May 2021. Nicole earned her Bachelor's degree in Social Work and her Master's Degree in Counseling. Nicole has been a Licensed Professional Counselor with the State of Arizona since 2004. Throughout her career her focus has been working with programs serving families involved in the child welfare system in the capacity of program manager, clinical supervisor, clinical director and as a clinician in private practice providing mental health services to children and families. Nicole is a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional and has focused her career on trauma, infant-toddler mental health, and how trauma affects parents and children involved with child welfare. She has completed the two-year Harris Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Training Institute and the 18-month Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) Training to be Rostered as a CPP Clinician. Nicole is also trained in Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Circle of Security, is an ACE Consortium Certified Trainer, and is completing Level 1 Sensorimotor Psychotherapy. Nicole facilitates training on Infant Mental Health, Attachment and Trauma; Effects of Child Abuse and Trauma on children; Impact of Early Trauma on the Life Span, Trauma-Informed/Responsive Courts and Child Welfare System; and Shared Parenting. Currently, Nicole is the Clinical Director for the Cradle to Crayons Program with the Arizona Superior Court in Maricopa County Juvenile Department, and oversees the implementation of the Cradle to Crayons Approach which is Maricopa County Juvenile Court Department's implementation of the Zero to Three Safe Baby Court Team Approach. Nicole is committed to meeting the therapeutic needs of children zero to three and parents involved in dependency actions in the Juvenile Court and Child Welfare system.
Lorna Sedillos, LCSW, RPT, IMH-E® has been in private practice since 2010. She has expertise supporting children and their families through reflective practices, relationship-based work, and Play Therapy. Lorna has been a Registered Play Therapist since 1994. Lorna has worked with children and families for the past 29 years in the capacities of program developer, trainer, group facilitator, therapist, clinical supervisor, and reflective supervisor. She provides Reflective Supervision and consultation for individuals and for groups, while maintaining her Infant Mental Health Endorsement since 2013. Lorna was accepted to the Board of Directors for the Infant Toddler Mental Health Coalition of Arizona in 2020.
Genett has volunteered as the Chair of the Training & Education Committee for ITMHCA since 2010. She served as the Co-Chair of the ITMHCA Training Institute in 2014. Genett is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker specializing in Infant Mental Health. She works as a Clinical Supervisor and Therapist at the Good Fit Counseling Center at Southwest Human Development providing therapeutic services for children birth to 5 years old. Genett also opened a private practice in Chandler in 2010 where she provides therapy for children birth to 12 years old.
Genett is endorsed as an Infant/Toddler Mental Health Specialist. She also completed the 2 year clinical track of the Harris Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health Training Institute. She has over 200 hours of training in Play Therapy.
Genett completed a 200 hour Yoga Teacher training program through At One Yoga and incorporates these skills into therapeutic services. Genett's treatment approach includes Child/Parent Psychotherapy, Play Therapy, Expressive Arts, Mindfulness and a holistic approach to young children's Social/Emotional development. Genett has extensive experience working with young children who have experienced trauma, abuse/neglect, behavior challenges, anxiety, and foster care.
Genett has facilitated trainings on Infant Mental Health & the social/emotional development of young children for ITMHCA, AZ Play Therapy Association, Southwest Human Development, Head Start and the Crisis Nursery. Genett presented at the 2008 Arizona Infant/Toddler Mental Health Institute. Genett previously volunteered on the Board of Director for AZ Play Therapy Association for 6 years.
Priscilla Whitlock-Coates has served on the ITMHCA Board of Directors since 2012. She currently is serving on the Endorsement Committee and has historically held position in Policy, Education/Training and Membership. Priscilla has a BA in Psychology and a Master's in counseling. She is endorsed as an Infant Family Specialist since 2012. Priscilla has been working in the field of children and families for over 30 years. During this time, she has served in a wide range of capacities from being a direct service therapist to children and their families to the Regional Director/ Vice President for multiple For Profit and Non-Profit Agencies. Currently Priscilla is working as a contactor for the Military and providing therapy services to families of Prenatal - Age 5 children through her Private Practice.
