Julia brings a wealth of experience helping people transition from school to work, or the couch to work, focusing on strengths and passions without limitations. "She helps businesses, government entities, social service agencies, school districts, and families expand opportunities and build bridges supporting a person's potential to pursue and engage in both employment and access to their community." D.B.

Julia has been working in the field since 1991 as a job coach/job developer, trainer and counselor. She is certified as a Social Security Work Incentives Coordinator as well as in the Discovery Process and holds a Masters in Secondary Special Education and Transition. 

For more information on Julia please check out her LinkedIn Page

Betsy came to Transition Consults with 20+ years of executive-level marketing and sales management experience in NYC. She has worked in start-up, independent, non-profit, and corporate business environments where her expertise includes marketing, brand strategy, and client relations management. She has spent many years volunteering with the elderly in both PA and NY and finds supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to be very gratifying work. In addition to being a certified Supports Broker and Incident Management Investigator, Betsy earned a BS degree in Communications from Syracuse University.

Carlene is passionate about enhancing the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She started out volunteering as a teenager at Jersey City Medical Center in 2000 and during high school, she gave back to her community by volunteering at Good Shepard Rehabilitation Hospital. After high school, she enjoyed working as a community support staff in the Lehigh Valley area. Over the years, Carlene has worked with several individuals and their families with intellectual disabilities and assisted in attaining a better quality of life by meeting their own personal goals. Some places include, Indian Creek Foundation, BARC Developmental Services and Success Rehab. Carlene has a degree in Business Administration. Now a mother and wife, she remains passionate about ensuring the best care for others and for making sure that people are heard. Carlene is proud to be a part of the team as a Supports Broker at Transition Consults.

Brianna Montanez has always had a passion for helping the community. While in high school, she volunteered for the local Ronald McDonald house. Brianna earned a Bachelor’s in Science degree in Psychology from Temple University. During her time as an undergrad, she worked as a direct support professional and also worked with high school students to learn generic engineering codes. Brianna enjoys supporting individuals and developing new resources that would help individuals in their daily living skills. Brianna has been with Transition Consults since 2019.

Hablamos Español!

William is a lifelong advocate. He started out at the #IWantToWork Campaign as the Lead Legislative Advocate. In his role as a legislative advocate he was instrumental in educating legislators to create Act No. 26: Work Experience for High School Students with Disabilities also known as Pre-Employment Transition Services. He was also instrumental in helping advocate for Act No. 36: Employment First which helped reinforce Governor Tom Wolf’s Executive order for an Employment First Pennsylvania to ensure that all people with disabilities have access to competitive employment. William has been advocating for the Hispanic community in North Philadelphia even before he was out of high school. William has been a board member of PA APSE since 2016. 

William has also worked for The Arc of Philadelphia. In the 2016 elections, he was instrumental in securing volunteering opportunities for people with disabilities during the Democratic National Convention for the DNCC. 75 youth with disabilities volunteered in the Philadelphia Airport, the Philadelphia Convention Center, Wells Fargo Center, and City Hall. William has also helped over 300 youth in finding volunteer opportunities since 2016 and has performed outreach to over 3,000 youth in Philadelphia high schools.

William has been advocating for Access to Technology and Information Access on behalf of the Coleman Institute on Cognitive Disabilities to ensure that everyone has access to the most basic technology most people have access to. William has a Bachelors degree from Temple University. Will is on our Bi-Lingual team.

For more info on William please check out his LinkedIn Page

Julia Chafin has always had a passion for helping those with special needs. While in high school she did volunteer work for a local nonprofit, a job that shaped her decision for her college major. Julia earned a Bachelor in Science degree in Special Education from Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania. During her time at Bloomsburg, she worked as a direct support professional. After graduating, she took a position working as therapeutic support staff. As she gained experience in the field, she later served as a supported living supervisor. Julia’s varied work experience brings a wealth of knowledge to her current role as a certified supports broker.

When not working for Transition Consults, Julia enjoys hiking and being outdoors with her husband and two sons. She is also a passionate skier, a hobby she enjoys sharing with others. As a PSIA certified ski instructor, Julia can often be found at the local ski slope where she gives lessons and runs a program that teaches young children to ski.

Carmen has a background in home health care, where she worked for over 20 years, both as a home health aide and an office manager of a home care agency. She loves working as a Supports Broker and is passionate about helping individuals plan, organize, problem-solve, and work toward their goals. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, with a concentration in Marketing, from Strayer University, and plans to get her Master's degree in Human Services.

When she is not working, she loves to volunteer with the children’s ministry at her local church, travel with her husband, do crafts and word puzzles, color and paint, and play/practice the saxophone.

Ilana is a Temple University graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She previously worked as a cognitive retraining specialist with adults in recovery from traumatic brain injuries as well as adults with intellectual disabilities. She loves cooking and trying new cuisines, getting creative with painting and drawing, and getting lost in a great book! She is thrilled to be a part of the Transition Consults team and looks forward to assisting her clients and their families in reaching the quality of life that everyone deserves.

Cynthia has always had a passion for teaching and mental health. For years she taught emotional and behavioral students in the Central Bucks School District. Additionally, she worked at Lenape Valley Foundation as a Certified Peer Specialist. She received her Bachelor of Education degree from East Central University in Ada, Oklahoma. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family, costuming, crafting, and reading.

Paola came to Transition Consults with a background as a Certified Medical Assistant and a desire to support clients with unique needs. She is bilingual, fluent in Spanish and English, with an outgoing and empathetic personality! She takes pride in her strong communication skills, working directly with clients and developing roadmaps to address their individual needs and goals. In her free time, she enjoys art activities, nature, and spending time with her family. Paola is pleased to be working in supports services and is very proud to be a part of the TC family.

Hi, I’m Nicole. I have always been passionate about helping others and I am dedicated to providing compassionate support to individuals and their families. I bring a positive energy to every situation, and work hard to make a difference in people's lives. I am fluent in both English and Spanish, and I am currently learning sign language. I am also working on my education in nursing. Whether it's offering a helping hand or a comforting presence, I'm all about bringing joy and support to those around me.

Originally from California, Zoë spent 2021-2023 in Chicago before relocating to Pennsylvania in mid-2023. Zoë holds a BA in Psychology from Sonoma State University and an MS in Forensic Psychology from Arizona State University. She previously worked as a cognitive retraining specialist with adults who have intellectual disabilities and those recovering from traumatic brain injuries.

Outside of work, she is an avid creator who thrives on producing engaging content for platforms like Instagram and TikTok. Zoë is committed to using her diverse experiences to inspire and connect with others through art and social media. She has a passion for traveling, coffee, and nature in general. She always aims to leave things better than she finds them. 

Hi, I am Donna. I enjoy helping and supporting others. I have lived in multiple states and spent a year in Mexico on the mission field, working with abused women and children. I volunteer with the camera crew at my church and have volunteered with some after-church programs. I enjoy drawing, painting, reading, camping, completing puzzles, crocheting, and spending quality time with my husband in my free time.

Christine has spent over 25 years supporting individuals with​ Intellectual and Developmental​Disabilities, Autism, and dual diagnoses. She has held various positions, including SSP, 1:1 PCA in a school setting, assistant house manager, and house manager, and has assisted individuals in being active in their community. Christine is excited to join the Transition Consults team and fulfill her role as a​ certified Support Broker by actively supporting her clients and their families and respecting their individual goals.​ When Christine is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her family, relaxing with her cat and dog, and doing crafts.