Ana Maria Parra, Executive Director and Co-Founder
Ana graduated from Eastern University, St. David’s, PA, with an emphasis in Urban Development and Sociology. She has been working in the field of developmental disabilities for over 20 years. She first began working with adults with developmental disabilities in residential settings and moved on to work with adults in independent living and supported living environments. Ana worked for one of San Diego’s largest and most respected service providers, as the Coordinator of Family Support Services and also in Program Development, creating the first respite program in their history.
Ana is an active committee member with D.S. Action and is a member of the Autism Society of San Diego. In 1999, Ana and her two co-founders realized their vision of establishing quality alternative programs to serve children and adolescents with developmental disabilities through the creation of Supporting Alternative Solutions.
Stacey L. Brown, Director of Residential Services and Co-Founder
Stacey oversees the day-to-day operations of our residential homes as well as supervising administrative staff. She graduated from San Diego State University with an emphasis in Psychology. Stacey started working in the field of developmental disabilities by volunteering at a non-public school, Stein Education Center in San Diego. She then went on to work as a teacher at Stein Education Center for the next 10 years, dedicating her services to students with developmental disabilities. Stacey partnered with Ana in 1999 to create SAS.
Sue Farmer, Coordinator of Quality Assurance for the Residential Program and Co-Founder
Sue first started working with people with disabilities over 18 years ago. Prior to embarking on this journey, she did not know that she would develop a disability. Sue first started working with autistic men while pursuing a psychology degree from Sonoma State University in 1984. Since then she has performed as a house supervisor and QMRP in both Northern and Southern California, serving people with a wide range of needs, including visual and hearing impairments and physical challenges. Sue also worked for 5 years as Coordinator of Quality Assurance for a licensed health care facility.
Several years ago, Sue developed Multiple Sclerosis, but that hasn’t stopped her. In fact, it gives her a very special perspective when it comes to doing her job
Mary Moser-Cooper, Director, Early Childhood Developmental Services Program
Mary supervises the early intervention program for children, ages 0-3, who have been diagnosed with developmental delays and/or developmental disabilities. Staffed by CA credentialed teachers, this program works with children and families in their homes on a 1:1 basis, bringing early intervention and stimulation to children to optimize their individual potential.
Mary graduated from SDSU with an emphasis in Psychology and from National University with her M.A. in Counseling Psychology, Marriage, and Family Therapy program. As a registered MFT intern, she provided child and adult therapy as well as domestic violence counseling for the YWCA of San Diego. Mary has been working with individuals with developmental disabilities for over 20 years. She is a member of the Association For Childhood Education International, the Autism Society of San Diego, and the Infant Development Association of California.
Angela Church, Respite Coordinator /Administrator
Angela has 13 years of experience of providing services and support to persons with developmental disabilities. During college in Northern CA, she worked as a facility supervisor for homes serving adults with developmental disabilities and behavior challenges. She moved to San Diego in 1998 and has administrated at Health Care licensed Intermediate Care Facilities for the Home of Guiding Hands, was a Crisis Counselor for a mobile crisis team, and worked as an Assistant Social Work Counselor. Angela has a comprehensive background in Title 22 and Title 17 California Regulations.
At Supporting Alternative Solutions, Angela oversees the day-to-day operations of the Respite Program and one residential home. She loves her job and the families and children she supports.
Board of Directors
Supporting Alternative Solutions is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation. SAS serves more than 150 children and families affected by developmental and intellectual challenges. The wealth of experience and dedication the founders bring to Supporting Alternative Solutions is enhanced by the assistance of the Supporting Alternative Solution’s Board of Directors:
- Mary Miller, Esq., R.N., Board President
- Sue Farmer
- Stacey Brown
- Alise Amour
- Alice Marie Burke
- Mike Parra, Esq.
- John Brown
Advisory Members
