We start with HEART. Our culture is one of creativity, out of the box thinking and doing, and fun. Through our unique hiring process we screen our staff to ensure they have the 5 essential qualities necessary to be a part of our professional family. We hire for attitude by modeling our interview process around asking specific questions that draw out qualities unique to our environment. By discovering who will and won’t succeed, we are able to hire people with HEART.
Amy earned a bachelor's degree in Psychology from Central Michigan University. She earned her master's degree from Western Michigan University's highly acclaimed Applied Behavior Analysis program, studying under Dr. Richard Malott. She has served as the lead psychologist for a residential neurobehavioral and medically complex children’s unit, and has served as the director for several Applied Behavior Analysis programs serving children with Autism in schools, homes, and clinical settings in southeast Michigan. Amy holds a Limited License in Psychology and is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, as well as a Licensed Behavior Analyst in the state of Michigan and participates in several behavior analytic groups, including the Association for Behavior Analysis International, the Association of Professional Behavior Analysts and the Behavior Analysis Association of Michigan. She has presented at a wide variety of conferences, including groups for parents and professionals. Amy has been active on the Education Support and Services subcommittee of Michigan's Autism Council. She has received extensive training in B.F. Skinner's analysis of verbal behavior and its application to children with autism and regularly attends professional conferences and workshops in order to bring the most current research into her treatment of children.
Jessica started at the Strive Center for Autism in July of 2018. She received her master’s degree in Clinical Behavioral Psychology and completed her BCBA coursework through Eastern Michigan University.
Jessica’s interest in psychology began with her jobs at Oakland County jail and Oakland County Children’s Village. She worked as a behavior technician, then a behavior analyst at the Guidance Center’s Autism program in Wayne County. Jessica worked as a BCBA at Easterseal’s autism program in both Oakland and Genesee counties.
Jessica enjoys reading, hiking, sky-diving, laying on a beach, yoga, eating gluten-free dairy-free treats and spending time with her family.
Anne and Don Haley live in Genesee County and have 5 kids, one of whom has autism, so they can relate first hand to loving and supporting a child on the spectrum. Anne has served as the Executive Director of Garrett's Place (formerly the Autism Support and Resource Center) since 2015. They offer social, recreational and lifeskills programs to those on the spectrum. Don is the 3rd generation owner of Italia Gardens restaurants, which was the first Italian restaurant in Flint in 1931. In their free time they enjoy cooking, high school sports, spending time with extended family and traveling. Anne and Don are thrilled to carry on the excellence Strive has offered and are proud of the team who works so hard to provide relief and create possibilities for the children and their families.
