Staff Directory
Program Director
Hannah Michaelsen
hmichaelsen@careparentnetwork.org, ext 102
"I have been the director at Care since 2019, but first got connected many years ago as a parent needing guidance and support. Our team's lived experiences makes us uniquely qualified to support and serve other Contra Costa families of children with special needs and disabilities. During my free time, I enjoy CrossFit; I dance hula; and I enjoy traveling with my family."
Administrative Assistant
Tracey Phinney tphinney@careparentnetwork.org
"I have been working in this field for 17 years and 16 of those years have been with Vistability, formerly Contra Costa ARC. I am currently serving Care Parent Network as the Administrative Assistant which is rewarding as I get to assist our Family Support Specialists and our Director who helps thousands of families who depend on us to help them navigate through the Special Needs service system. It is a blessing to be a part of an agency that truly is making a difference in so many families. In my spare time, I am a Live Scan owner/operator which helps individuals obtain employment, do volunteer work and obtain licensure in many different fields of work."
Family Support Specialists
Shital Agrawalla
sagrawalla@careparentnetwork.org, ext 108
"I believe Parents are the Experts on their Child .With information and tools they can be the greatest advocate for their loved one. I connected with CARE Parent Network to empower myself on my special needs parenting journey. Now I am proud to share it with other families. I am passionate about supporting and helping other families with a special loved one."
Rosario Contreras
rcontreras@careparentnetwork.org, ext 110
"As a mother of three adults, I would have liked to know about CARE Parent Network Program, where one finds emotional support and acquires the knowledge to become faithful advocates for their children. Today with my life experience in special needs, I have the privilege of helping other families with compassion and respect to thrive and connect in the community."
Susy Garcia
sgarcia@careparentnetwork.org, ext 104
"In 2000, my story with CARE began as a mother who did not have any knowledge about special needs and all the services that my son needed, thanks to the guidance and dedication of my colleagues I learned, became a volunteer and now I am part of this team. In my free time I love to travel."
Angela Gattis
agattis@careparentnetwork.org, ext 105
"Originally from Colombia. Mother of 2 fabulous adults. I have worked at CPN for over 21 years where I have had the opportunity to meet amazing families who have taught me about resilience, passion and hope. In my free time I enjoy outdoor activities, gardening and decorating spaces."
Denise Lambert
dlambert@careparentnetwork.org, ext 106
"I am passionate about helping people and their families with special needs. My husband and I have two adult sons who brought us on this journey and continue to teach us every day. Prior to joining Care Parent Network, I volunteered for over 20 years in the Mount Diablo School District (Community Advisory Committee for Special Education Executive Board, PTA and other school and community committees and advisory groups.)"
Estela Nunez
enunez@careparentnetwork.org, ext 111
"As a mother of a child with special needs, I have learned that we are the best advocates for our children and that we are their voice. I am grateful for all the good and bad that I have experienced because it has helped me to be strong, the bad as learning and the good that each achievement, however small it may be, is to celebrate, and that each one helps us. May everything I know today serve to help each family that needs my support."
Dorothy Weisenberger dweisenberger@careparentnetwork.org, ext 107
"Hi, my name is Dorothy Weisenberger and I am a parent of four boys, two of them have significant medical needs and two of them have dyslexia. I have been working with families as a volunteer for 25 years and as chair of the Community Advisory Committee for Mt. Diablo Unified School District for 14 years. I currently work with Care Parent Network and have enjoyed helping families in this capacity for four years. I enjoy swimming and am a huge sports fan!"
LaQuiche Young
lyoung@careparentnetwork.org, ext 109
"As a mother of a child with autism, I am passionate about helping other families. I am an advocate for my daughter and I love to advocate for others. I've made a commitment to learn something new everyday. Because of my daughter's journey with autism, it gave me a lot of patience, understanding and kindness to support other families and the community."