Operations Director, OIS Instructor and Behavior Professional

Aubrey Valadez

she / her

Aubrey's education and experience include working as an ABA technician, an early childhood educator, administration at a non-profit organization/community action agency and as a QMHA. 
Aubrey is an animal lover. Especially, dogs! She is a pleasure reader, loves music and enjoys connecting with her community by attending femme/queer shows and gatherings. She cares passionately about human rights, finding more ways than ever to be loud and proud! Holding space for others to find their truest selves and than cheerleading that self is Aubrey's highest purpose. 
Currently, Aubrey writes behavioral plans (Functional Behavior Assessments and Positive Behavior Support Plans), teaches Oregon Intervention System courses for our DSPs and members of the community, and works administration for Behavior and Mental Health Consultation of Oregon. 

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Program Manager

Damaris Elix

she / her

Damaris is a mother of three wonderful children. Each of them has taught her to see life in different ways. Her passion grew when she became the mother of her middle son, Javier, who experiences Cerebral Palsy. Nine years later, Mateo was born, and he now experiences Autism, ADHD, and Anxiety.

Damaris graduated as an Elementary Education Teacher in her home country of Guatemala and also earned a Technical Degree in Human Resources after immigrating to the United States. She has longed for a better quality of life for her children and for them to live a full and meaningful life. That motivation led her to continue her education, and in 2022, she received her certificate as a Community Health Worker. She is experienced in wraparound, IEPs and 504 activities, collaborative problem solving, Trauma-Informed Care, and is a certified Family Support Specialist. One of her greatest passions is supporting other parents who share the beautiful experience of raising children with a disabilities, who have so many abilities,  especially within the Hispanic community.

Owner 

Melissa Valadez 

she/her

Melissa Valadez is a devoted wife & mother. Her wife and daughter bring meaning and drive to her life. This drive led Melissa to pursuing her master's degree in social work, coupled with a Human Resource Management Certificate, Community Organization & Social Action Community Practice Certificate, which she received from Portland State University graduating with Summa Cum Laude honors. Over the years, Melissa has worked in many social services roles, supported the neurodivergent & disability community, psychiatric facilities for youth, psychiatric hospitals, mental health foster/group homes, county mental health programs, transitional programs supporting individuals through SUD treatment and served in many leadership roles. Melissa identifies as a biracial Hispanic and Irish bilingual queer with a neurodiverse framework and Neurological Lyme Disease. She understands firsthand the struggles of being a minority intersected with being neurodivergent. She is the first in her family to attend college, let alone to obtain a master's degree. She knows what it takes to rise out of poverty and accomplish one's dreams. Her care to share that with the world sets her apart as a strong yet humble leader. Melissa enjoys everything about her Irish/Mexican culture where she was raised and graduated high school at the Colegio De Bachilleres in Culiacan, Sinaloa. The food, the music, the dancing and the fiestas all keep Melissa visiting her family in Mexico who support and adore her. Though she is kept very busy with her social services and social justice goals, Melissa makes time to enjoy life with her family, cooking, fishing, hiking & camping with her daughter, dogs and wife of 20 years. 

Direct Support Professional 

Melissa Cabaccang

she / her / ella

Melissa has a background in printing which has given her a map of Central Oregon in her head, customer service which has made her easy to connect to and social service work which has attributed to the research of resourcing to ones needs. Melissa has been a DSP going on three years. In her free time, she likes to create digital art, running with her dog, cooking new meals and listening to music This has led to Melissa creating several art designs for BMHC and using those to build on how we are seen in the community, and creating a new way of recognizing our agency out in the wild. She has continued to show up for BMHC and the community in so many ways, all with the want to help build another pilar to support all those who may need it without feeling the burden of the outside world.​

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Administrative Assistant & Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Lexus Aguirre

she / her

Lexus is passionate about social work and advocating for individuals in need. She holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from New Mexico State University and is currently pursuing a Master of Social Work at Walden University.  

Lexus discovered her passion for working with the IDD community while serving as a Registered Behavior Technician, providing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy to children with autism. 

Now based in Bend, Oregon, Lexus works as a Direct Support Professional (DSP). Her experience as a Behavior Professional and DSP has allowed her to support both children and adults, creating individualized strategies to promote independence, personal growth, and meaningful engagement. She values building strong relationships and advocating for the individuals she serves.  

Outside of work, Lexus enjoys exploring new places—whether trying out a new restaurant or traveling to a different country—as well as hiking, reading, and spending quality time with her friends, family, and her cat.  

Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Iris Rivas C

she / hers 

Iris moved from Maryland to be with her partner, Taylor in June 2021. Since then, she has been looking for a way to give back to the LGBTQ+ and Latino/a communities. She loves animals, ranging from farm animals to household cats! This passion helped her train three dogs to be therapeutic animals who are currently in service. She can be found outdoors when it's nice and inside with her Xbox otherwise, as they both hold a special place for her. Iris enjoys listening to music when she engaging in any activity, as it helps her decompress and explore upon her guitar skills. Iris describes herself as compassionate, calm, and considerate. She enjoys listening to others talk about everything they are passionate about. Iris believes that community is key and hopes to continue to do this work as long as folks will have her! 

Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Cheryl Fania

she / her

​Cheryl has been working as a direct support professional since August of 2024. Cheryl has always been drawn to supporting, serving others and advocating for human rights. Cheryl has owned and operated a dog daycare service in the community for 7 years which she still runs on a part-time basis. Cheryl has two loyal and lovely long haired German Shepherds with whom she spends all for free time with. Hiking and day trips to lakes and rivers with her loving dogs is how Cheryl grounds and centers herself.

Cheryl also enjoys cooking, doing crafts as well and gardening. Cheryl has a deep understanding of caretaking and expressing empathy towards others which is why she was so drawn to becoming a direct support professional. Cheryl enjoys supporting and advocating for people with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. Cheryl feels that this is her calling and is very happy working with such lovely people and supporting them in their homes and communities. 

Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Brandon Elix 

he / him

Brandon Elix is a proud dad of two amazing kids who experience disabilities. That journey sparked his passion for supporting families navigating disabilities, especially in the Hispanic community.

Brandon is all about the outdoors—hiking, paddleboarding, and snowboarding in the winter. Music is a big part of Brandon's life too, especially playing the guitar. Brando is eager to connect with the intention of building inclusive communities together!

Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Shelleigh Williams

she / her

​Shelleigh has been with BMHC for 3-years, committed to providing the best support she. Shelleigh loves working with people and her heart has & always will be in the health field, whether it's supporting individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, Ment Health or being a CNA.  Shelleigh loves the outdoors, soccer, football and riding bikes.  Shelleigh especially loves her cat Rascal Danger, as he is her little ball of happiness.

Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Jennifer Quintero

she / her

Jennyfer is an honest, transparent, and dedicated person, deeply committed to the well-being of those around her. She is a devoted mother and wife, with over 12 years of experience caring for her child with special needs. This has given her an empathetic understanding, along with extensive experience in therapies and specialized support from the early years of life.

For nearly six years, she was also the primary caregiver for her grandmother, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. This further strengthened her skills in supporting elderly individuals, always providing care with patience, respect, and love.

Jennyfer has solid experience in both childcare and elder care and stands out for her approach centered on the individuality of each person.

In addition to her vocation as a caregiver, she is passionate about cooking—especially healthy baking—which she combines with her desire to promote overall well-being for those around her.

Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Hilda Valencia

she / her

Celia is a devoted wife and mother of three wonderful children. Her oldest child experiences a disability, and through what could have been a difficult diagnosis, she discovered her passion for supporting other families who are going through similar situations especially within the Hispanic community.

In her free time, Celia enjoys cooking and spending quality time with her family.

Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Reina Quijada

she / her

Reina  has lived in Bend, Oregon for the past 21 years. She is the proud mother of three children—two boys and one girl, ages 17, 15, and 9. Her eldest son has a Special Education Plan, which has given her deep insight, empathy, and a strong commitment to meeting the unique needs of children who require specialized care.
Reina considers herself a patient, dedicated, and service-oriented person. She is truly passionate about supporting children and is excited to be part of an environment where she can care for those with special needs.
With approximately 18 years of experience working with children, Reina has developed strong skills in understanding different personalities, creating safe and nurturing environments, and building trusting and respectful relationships.
She is known for her warmth, responsibility, and genuine desire to make a positive difference in the lives of the children she cares for.

Direct Support Professional (DSP)

William Hernandez 

He / His

William is a proud father of four and has a deep passion for music. He loves playing bass and guitar, finding in music a meaningful way to express himself and connect with others. He also enjoys staying active through sports, hiking, and fishing, activities that help him stay grounded and connected to nature.

Bilingual in English and Spanish, William has volunteered in his community caring for children, an experience he finds deeply rewarding.

In his work at BMHC, William is known for his ability to listen carefully, problem-solve, and guide people toward better mental health. He genuinely enjoys helping others reach their goals and being a supportive presence during challenging times.

Focused on making a positive impact, William is committed to supporting others in their growth and well-being.

Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Eder Trujillo

He / His

Eder is an honest and nurturing individual who enjoys working hard and making a difference in people’s lives. As a recent college graduate, he is specifically interested in working with Latino communities, as well as the neurodivergent community. After living in Portland for four years to complete a Bachelor’s in Applied Linguistics and receive a TESOL certificate, he has returned to Bend to spend more time with his family. He comes from a Latino background, making him fluent in Spanish. This has benefited him in his past experience with ABA. In his free time, he enjoys learning the piano, watching movies, hanging out with friends, and reading novels. His future plans include pursuing a Master’s in Speech Pathology and teaching English abroad.

Care Coordinator & Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Pablo Garcia 

He / His

Pablo has over 3 years of experience as a Direct Support Professional, along with a lifelong connection to the disability community through his two siblings. Supporting others comes naturally to him, and he is passionate about helping individuals live fulfilling, independent lives.

He enjoys building strong, trusting relationships and takes pride in creating safe, supportive environments tailored to each person’s needs. Every day, he strives to bring empathy, respect, and reliability to the work he does.

Outside of work, Pablo enjoys snowboarding and spending time outdoors. He is also bilingual, which allows him to better connect with individuals and families from diverse backgrounds.

Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Lillee Garcia 

she / her

Lillee is a dedicated and compassionate Direct Support Professional who is passionate about helping others thrive. Her journey into this field is personal both of her younger brothers-in-law experience disabilities, which has given her a deeper understanding of the importance of patience, empathy, and dependable care. She prides herself on being a problem-solver who adapts to each individual’s unique needs while supporting their independence and well-being.

Outside of her DSP role, Lillee is a small business owner, running her own spa studio where she brings the same level of care, attention, and commitment to helping others feel their best. Whether in her professional or personal life, she is motivated by a genuine love for people and a drive to make a positive impact.

Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Francysney (Alejandra) Gallardo 

she / her

Francysney, who prefers to go by Ale, has been living in Bend since 2020. She is the proud mother of two wonderful children a 15-year-old teenager and a 13-month-old baby who inspire her every day.

Ale is excited to be part of the DSP team, where she can provide meaningful support while continuing to learn and grow in a new professional field. For her, being able to help others is not only fulfilling but also a source of personal and professional growth.

In her home country, Ale worked as a caregiver in a daycare, an experience that gave her valuable skills and helped shape her strong vocation for caring for others. Today, she brings that same dedication, warmth, and commitment to her role as a Direct Support Professional.