MISSION STATEMENT

PALS was founded as a corporation in January 2001 with the purpose of providing exceptional vocational opportunities for adults.  We serve as a specialized work program vendored to provide community and on-site services for adults needing job skills to work.   While there are many program options available, only PALS combines a highly skilled management and direct services team focusing intently together to deliver vocational rehabilitation, working training skills and job placement for the community.  We find work opportunities for our people, regardless of the "severe reputations," secondary Mental Health Diagnoses or even physical limitations.  The fulfillment of our clients' aspirations is our aspiration!

MANAGEMENT TEAM

Otieno J. Okatch, MA

Serves as the President & Chief  Executive Officer (CEO) of PALS, Inc.  He has over 20 years of experience in the field of Developmental Disabilities. Mr. Okatch attended and graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara for his undergraduate education.  He possesses a Master of Arts degree from UCLA, and a second Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Psyschology from Pepperdine University.  Mr. Okatch has served as Therapist for adolescents in foster care settings and as a behavior consultant; he has managed residential and adult day programs, and he has directed PALS since it's founding.   Mr. Okatch has extensive experience conducting functional assessments, formulating behavior support plans and protocols, and providing behavior modification training for parents, and for staff in a variety of work settings.

Christina E. Buth-Okatch, BA

Ms. Buth-Okatch serves as the Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer (COO) of PALS, Inc. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the California State University at Long Beach (CSULB).  Christina has over 9 years of experiences in providing services for adults and children with Developmental Disabilities in academic, residental, work-site settings.   In the past, Ms. Buth-Okatch participated in research projects with local government agencies to identify students with  low academic performance in public schools.  She implemented and monitored new learning strategies to improve students academic performances.  Also, Ms. Buth-Okatch has insight in developing effective bussiness model and organazation structures for any work environment.  She had over 15 plus years in managing small enterprise (i.e., donut shop, food market, fast food chain) to goverment agencies. She has a wide-range knowledge from implementing successful teaching strategies to managing a business.  Ms. Buth-Okatch brings a wealth of knowledge to PALS, Inc. Furthermore,  Ms. Buth is a certified trainer in Emergency Intervention Procedures" from the Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI), completed her Adult Residental Adminstrator Certification Program and she is a Certified Trainer in First Aid & CPR.

Timm A. Lawson, MA

 Under the supervision of COO, Mr. Lawson serves as the Managing Director for PALS, Inc.  He is tasked with the responsibility of overseeing the programming and supervision at all PALS day programs.  Program Directors report directly to Mr. Lawson.  Timm holds a Master of Arts degree from the California State University, Dominguez Hills, and he possesses a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the California State University at Long Beach (CSULB).  Tim has over 10 years of experience in the field of Developmental Disabilities.  A former active duty serviceman, Timm has over 12 years of additional service in the U.S. Naval Reserves where he serves as a Naval Logistics Specialist, and he holds the much coveted and esteemed rank of Chief Petty Officer.   Mr. Lawson is a Certified Trainer in Emergency Intervention Procedures from the Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI), and he is a Master Trainer in First Aid & CPR. Mr. Lawson oversees the operations of the top rated vocational training program in the central Los Angeles County area. 

Daniel Carter

Mr. Carter currently serves as Program Director for PALS Downey, a community-based work program.  Mr. Carter is a U.S. Army veteran and served six years as a Medical Specialist.  He has over 20 years of service in the field of Developmental Disabilities.  His experience ranges from working with children and adolescents, to direct care, to counseling, to positions of management & leadership.  Mr. Carter is a Certified Trainer in Emergency Intervention Procedures from the Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI), and he is a Trainer in First Aid & CPR.

Josephina Fernandez, BA

Ms. Fernandez serves as Program Manager II for PALS Downey.  Ms. Fernandez holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB).  Ms. Fernandez has over 6 years experience in the fields of Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health with particular emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis and leadership roles in psychiatric hospitalization treatment facilities.

Shechinanh Glory Carter, MA

Ms. Carter serves as Program Manager II for PALS Downey. Ms. Carter holds a Master in Public Administrator from National University.  She has over 7 years experience in teaching at Long Beach Poly High School as a Para Educator. Ms. Carter has insight in teaching our program participant new working skills set a upon them. 

Gloria Gallegos

Ms. Gallegos serves as the Program Director for PALS Eindelijk El Monte, the top rated work program in the San Gabriel/Pomona Valley.  Ms. Gallegos has over 12 years experience in the field of Developmental Disabilities; she is a Certified Trainer in Emergency Intervention Procedures from the Crisis Prevention Institute (CPI), and she is a Certified Trainer in First Aid & CPR.

Vanny Khu,BA

Ms. Khu serves as Program Manager II for PALS Eindelijk El Monte.  Ms. Khu is a graduate of the California State University at Fullerton. She is responsible for Quality Assurance operations and for programming activities at the top rated El Monte vocational training program.

Jackie Dillon, BSW, MSW Student

Ms. Dillon serves as Program Manager for PALS Eindelijk El Monte.  She holds a Bachelor of Science is Psychology from California University of San Diego (CSUSD).  Ms. Dillon is currently a second year students in the master in social work (MSW) program at California University of Long Beach (CSULB).  She is reponsible for Quality Assurance operations and for programming acitivities at the top rated El Monte vocational training program. 

Selin Buth, AA, LVN #261216, PT #92379, BSN Student

Ms. Buth serves as Program Adminstrator for PALS Eindelijk El Monte. She holds an Associate of Arts,  licenced Vocational Nurse and licenced  Pharmacy Technician from Long Beach City College.  She has over 4 pluse years working interdisciplinary healthcare from patient care to monitoring patient charting and supervising CNA nurses at Regency Oaks Rehabilitation Health Center. Currently, Ms. Buth is a third year student in the nursing (BSN) program at California State University of Dominguez. 

Perla Botello, BA

Perla Botello is Program Director for PALS Endeavours and is specifically with management relationships with local business in the community to find work opportunities for our clients. 

PALS participates in a host of work-related activities ranging from food-service to maintenance and clean-up duties. Ms. Botello  manages staff and operations on-site, and on a continuous, daily basis.   Perla Botello  holds  a Bachelor of Arts degree from the California State University, Irvine (CSUI). Ms. Botello has over 5 years experiences working to help youths and adults to development vocational skills starting from direct care work, and teaching with the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), and leadership positions with PALS.

                                Christy Lou-Heng, BA

                                Christy Lou-Heng is Program Administrator for PALS Endavours. Ms. Lou-Heng is a graduate of     the California State University of Long Beach (CSULB).  She holds a a Bachelor in Healthcare Administration.  Ms. Lou-Heng has over 4 years in the field of healthcare hospitality ranging from client care to managing healthcare files.  She brings a wealth of knowledge to the PALS, Inc team.