May 2026 Newsletter
ED-itorial Notes ðŸ’
I was asked recently what has kept me at PCDA for so long — what first drew me in, and why, after more than 20 years, I'm still here.
It was an early Wednesday morning meeting, and honestly, I wasn't quite ready for a question that personal. I gave my familiar answer: the importance of relationship-based work, a deep commitment to ensuring every family can access high-quality care, and the remarkable team I get to work alongside. All true. But I knew, even as I said it, that I was reaching for the easy answer rather than the real one.
Just the next morning, I was on my way to attend the American Occupational Therapy Association national conference, a gathering I'd loved attending every year before life and a pandemic got in the way. While I was there, I found myself with some of the people who have meant the most to my career: nine former PCDA employees, including colleagues who started here as developmental interventionists and have since become occupational therapists, peers who shaped my clinical thinking, and most meaningfully, the supervisor who first taught me, early in my career, that families are always at the center of this work.
We laughed. We shared meals and stories. We talked for hours.
And somewhere in the middle of all of it, the answer hit me — one I'd said hundreds of times, but somehow needed to feel again.
It's the relationships. It has always been the relationships.
It's the families who trust us with their children, who open up about the most tender and vulnerable parts of their lives and invite us in. It's the mentors and colleagues who teach us, challenge us, and push us to grow, both clinically and as human beings. It's the staff who chose PCDA specifically because they believe, as I do, that belonging and emotional development aren't add-ons to good care — they are good care. And it's the broader community of supporters and funders who believe in this work and choose to be part of it alongside us.
Every one of these relationships has shaped who I am as a practitioner and as a leader. The mentors who laid my foundation. The colleagues who walk alongside me now. The donors and community partners who invest in what we're building together. And most of all, always most of all, the children and families who let us be a part of their stories.
That's what has kept me here. That's always been the answer.
Members of the PCDA family, past and present, reconnecting at the American Occupational Therapy Association and celebrating the lasting relationships within our community. From left to right: Jessica Hall, MA, OTR/L; Mariko Yamazaki-Sanchez, OTD, OTR/L; Amber Angell, PhD, OTR/L; Karla Ausderau, PhD, OTR/L; Kim Wilkinson, PhD, OTR/L; Julie Miller; and Natalie Aguirre, MS, OTR/L.
A.R.F. Accessibility Resource Fair at Pasadena City Hall!
PCDA was proud to table at the 2026 A.R.F. Accessibility Resources Fair on May 2, hosted by MobilityDog at Pasadena City Hall. It was a meaningful afternoon spent connecting with community members, families, and fellow organizations who share a commitment to accessibility and inclusion. MobilityDog is a nonprofit dedicated to providing access to trained service dogs, mobility resources, and community support.
We were honored to represent the PCDA community at such a welcoming event, and we are grateful to have been part of a collective effort to uplift and support individuals of all abilities in Pasadena.
From left to right: Janie Lynn Heinrich, Founder and CEO of MobilityDog; Julie Miller, Executive Director of PCDA; and Zoë Jones, Development Assistant at PCDA, representing our organizations at the A.R.F. Resource Fair on May 2.
PCDA’s Care Administration Manager: Juliet McNeil-Okimoto
We're thrilled to share some great news with our PCDA community!
Juliet McNeil-Okimoto has been promoted to Care Administration Manager, a new role created to provide dedicated leadership and support for our clinical administrative team.
Juliet has been part of PCDA since 2012, starting as a receptionist and growing into clinical administration, where she supported our Feeding & Nutrition, Speech & Language, and Occupational Therapy teams with consistency, care, and skill. In 2025, she was selected by PCDA staff as the recipient of the Community Care Award, reflecting the respect her colleagues have for the way she shows up for families and teammates every day.
As PCDA has grown, so has the need for coordinated administrative leadership across our services. In this role, Juliet will support, train, and build systems for our clinical administrative team, ensuring that scheduling, communication, and coordination with funding sources continue to run smoothly and reflect the quality our families expect.
This promotion reflects Juliet's twelve years of growth at PCDA, her experience across multiple service areas, and the collaborative, flexible spirit she brings to her work every day. We're grateful to have a team full of dedicated people, and we're excited to see Juliet step into this new capacity in support of all of you.
We’re excited to welcome Thalia to the team as a Music Therapist (MT-BC)! She is currently completing a Master’s degree in Music Therapy at the University of the Pacific, with one year remaining. Thalia completed her supervised clinical hours at PCDA and recently passed the Music Therapy Board Certification exam.
Thalia spent several years as a professional touring musician, performing with bands such as Sonny and the Sunsets, before returning to school to pursue music therapy. She is passionate about connecting with clients through shared, joyful play and the universal language of music.
Finding Connection Through Music
At PCDA, we know that music can be a powerful pathway for connection, expression, and growth. Our Music Therapy program uses music as a therapeutic tool to support each child’s development.
Led by board-certified music therapists, sessions are designed to strengthen skills such as attention, engagement, communication, emotional regulation, and social interaction. Through shared musical experiences, children build confidence, deepen connections, and expand their ability to express themselves.
Our approach is individualized and relationship-based, meeting each child where they are and building on their unique strengths. The impact extends beyond the session, supporting growth in daily routines, relationships, and overall well-being.
PCDA also offers music lessons for clients interested in developing musical skills such as learning an instrument or preparing for performances, providing another avenue for creativity and self-expression to grow.
Our Circle of Care monthly giving program provides steady, ongoing support that helps sustain PCDA’s services throughout the year. Recurring gifts of any size help create continued opportunities for children and families to access care, connection, and community.
Circle of Care members are an important part of the PCDA community. Their continued generosity helps us strengthen programs, plan for the future, and expand access to services for the families who need them most. Most importantly, it allows our clinicians and staff to remain focused on supporting each client’s unique path of growth and development.
To learn more about becoming a Circle of Care supporter, please contact our Development team at development@pcdateam.org.
Supporting Connection, Growth, and Joy: Join Our Village
As we look ahead to a summer filled with special events, community gatherings, and meaningful moments for our clients and families, we’re deeply grateful for the support that helps make it all possible. Every contribution, whether it’s a one-time gift, a monthly donation, or a purchase through our Wish List, helps us continue creating joyful opportunities for connection, growth, and belonging throughout the season.
Thank you for being part of the community that supports and uplifts the families we serve.