Focus Initiative
Changing The World One Life At A Time
Our Staff
Jacquelyn Tomlinson, MA
Founder & Director
Jacquelyn holds an Associate’s degree in Elementary Education, a Bachelor’s degree in Child Development and a Master’s degree in School Psychology. Prior to starting FOCUS Initiative, she established and directed the Developmental Assessment Team for Autism in the Katy Independent School District. She has also worked as a Licensed Specialist in School Psychology, a pre-school director and an Autism In-Home/Parent trainer. Jacquelyn is a member of the Council for Exceptional Children—Division on Developmental Disabilities, the Council of Parent Advocates and Attorneys (COPAA) and a founder and current board member for ASPIE of Houston - Asperger's Syndrome Parent-Professional Information Exchange. She has presented at numerous conferences and seminars and is currently working on a DVD for parents of children with Aspergers Syndrome.
E-Mail: jtomlinson@asdfocus.com
Richard Kelly, MBA
Program Director - Focus Academy
Richard joined the FOCUS Initiative team as Business Administrator in June, 2008 holding a BS in Communication, a Masters in Business Administration, as well as coming to us from HopeReach, an organization in Greenville, SC, which provides quality Applied Behavioral Analytic (“ABA”) treatment to children diagnosed with autism or related developmental disorders. Project HOPE’s pilot program, Hope Academy includes children with autism in classrooms with typical peers, using “shadow” aids as necessary. There, Richard served both as a therapist and educational “shadow.” With this background he is also able to serve a double role as a FOCUS Social Coach and Director of Operations. Richard also provides services in the therapeutic fine arts having a background in both music (album production, provision of private instruction, Musical European Tours) and drama (dramatic roles in various theatre productions.) Richard previously served with the Greenville Metropolitan Arts Council where his responsibilities included artist management and volunteer coordination for “Artisphere,” an annual arts festival hosted by the city of Greenville.
E-Mail: rkelly@thefocusschool.com
David Crow
Program Director - Adult Services
David originally started with a career as a computer software engineer and engineering manager working for the military, Motorola, and 3Com. After twenty-three years in the computer field, David decided to change his career and went back to school to study psychology and theology graduating from Houston Baptist University (HBU) with a dual-major undergraduate degree in both fields. David plans on furthering his education with a graduate degree in psychology, counseling, and/or social work with a goal of obtaining a license for counseling in the future (LPC). David is married to Sheila, who is a teacher in elementary education, and they are both raising a 14 year-old daughter and an 11 year-old son.
Karen Loos Jaggers, CPC
Life Coach
Katy Program Director
Karen holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Services, is completing her Masters in Mental Health Counseling, and will obtain her Licensed Professional Counselor designation in 2011. Karen has dedicated the past 10 years of her life to helping families and individuals with disability issues. Karen is well known in the Houston area as a disability advocate, behavior and educational consultant, speaker and group leader specializing in autism spectrum disorders and challenges related to disabilities. Karen is a member of the American Counseling Association, American Mental Health Counselors Association, and Association of Professional Behavior Analysts. Karen is a Certified Professional Life Coach. Karen brings to Focus support services for Individuals. Couples, and Families, as well as Siblings and Caregivers. Parent and Sibling Group weekly sessions are available at both the Stafford and Katy locations. Karen is co-founder and president of Katy Autism Support, a member of the Katy ISD Special Education Advisory Committee, Attention Deficit Disorders Association ˆ SR Board Member, and a group leader for Texas Advanced Leadership and Advocacy. She speaks at numerous conferences and seminars throughout the Houston area. As a parent of a child with autism, Karen brings both personal and professional experience to helping families with disabilities. Karen will be instrumental in opening our new Katy location this summer.
E-Mail: kjaggers@asdfocus.com
James Williams
Motivational Speaker & Social Coach
James currently attends Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX as a senior pursuing an undergraduate major inElementary Education (EC-4) with a minor in Special Education (EC-12). James has a passion for learning and hopes to share that with his future special education students. His many college pursuits include holding the office of President of the Sam Houston Student Council for Exceptional Children, serving as a committee member of the Council’s National Standing Committee on Students, participating in the Kappa Delta Pi Education Honor Society, leading the Greater Houston Asperger Syndrome Parent-Professional Exchange support group for teenagers with Autism Spectrum Disorders, and also serving as the Sam Houston Project Sunshine Buddy Program Coordinator. His college achievements also include the recent honor of receiving the nationwide CEC Undergraduate Outstanding Student Award for 2007, and
his continual placement on the College of Education Dean’s List since his arrival to college in 2005.E-Mail: jwilliams@asdfocus.com
Joe Downing, MA
Social Coach
Joe holds a BS degree and a Master's degree in Special Education from Delta State University in Mississippi. He has worked previously for Life Help, a regional Mental Health/Mental Retardation Center serving eight counties in central Mississippi. During his 22 years there, Joe served in various capacities including Executive Director. He was also named Mississippi's Mental Health Consumer Advocate of the Year in 1997. Upon moving to Texas in 2001, Joe became a special education teacher in the Fort Bend Independent School District. He currently teaches a Comprehensive Achievement Class for students with developmental and behavioral disabilities. Joe brings to FOCUS extensive knowledge and experience regarding mental health issues and a passion for work with students with social/emotional needs.
Erica Harris
Social Coach
Shana Boutte
National Facilitator and Social Coach
Shana Boutte’ received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Houston – Clear Lake in Humanities/Human Sciences. During the time she worked on her Masters Degree in Special Education focusing on Autism at age 26, she was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome. When Shana was 8 years of age she was diagnosed with Learning Disabilities and professionals were giving her a dismal prognosis despite her high IQ. She completed 12 years in public school and graduated at age 17 with a continued hopeless prognosis, she went to college where she was told by professors to, “Get out of my class, and go to trade school”. Despite major academic setbacks, she overcame obstacles. She conducted her own intervention from the time she was diagnosed with AS to overcome Autism obstacles, including using techniques she learned through working with children who suffered severely from Autism. She was seen as a “missing link” between them and the outside world. This experience helped her realize her capabilities. She works with FOCUS Initiative and Foundation FOCUS as a social skills coach, presenter and support for abuse, depression and other symptoms often associated with Autism. Shana travels around the country helping others who cannot receive assistance in their area for Asperger Syndrome/High Functioning Autism, particularly females with a later life diagnosis. She has dedicated her life to helping others not have the experiences she had and giving a face to hope and success. Shana is a published writer, and in her spare time, Shana models (and has been since age 11), acts, paints under the title “Autism Art” and works on music projects as a singer, writer and performer.
