EMPOWERING ENVIRONMENTS WHERE DIGNITY, CONNECTION, AND INNOVATION COME FIRST.

Growing up above a care home, surrounded by individuals with developmental disabilities, I learned early on that care is about connection, trust, and creating environments where people feel seen and valued. These lessons have shaped my mission to transform care homes and day programs into places where dignity and relationships come first. At Cypress ABC, we blend years of experience with a passion for transformative care to empower environments and enhance lives.

 

 

 

At Cypress ABC, our commitment is rooted in three core principles:

 

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WHY CLIENTS TRUST US

 

In the 14 years I have been Guardian/Conservator for my two siblings, our family has seen about a dozen counselors, psychiatrists, and therapists. None of them have been as good as James. He quickly identified the dysfunctional dynamic within our family, which we couldn’t see for ourselves. James had concrete strategies to mitigate destructive behaviors, which have been successful. I highly recommend Cypress ABC!

Samantha Mills, PhD

I would like to express my sincerest thanks to James, who has done an amazing job working with my team of residential staff – training and educating in understanding the fundamentals of our residents’ challenging behaviors. James has always been very supportive of the residential team and the residents. We have had successful outcomes. Thank you, James.

Aida Urena, ARF Administrator

James has been a beacon of hope for our facility. His expertise in behavior analysis, along with his deep compassion for our individuals, has led to significant improvements in their daily functioning. The techniques and strategies he provided for managing challenging behaviors have not only helped our individuals but have also taught us how to better support them. We are incredibly grateful for his guidance and support. Thank you for your dedication and expertise.

 Jocelyn Perez, Jadens ARF Administrator

The expertise, dedication, and exposure of James in the field of behavior modifications is remarkable. Cypress ABC could be expected to provide many of the best behavior strategies for children and adults who have significant limitations. If you are a group home administrator like me… Go for Cypress ABC!

Juanita Ayala

James with Cypress ABC supports our ARFs with many challenging individuals that have many co-occurring disorders. We have worked together for years. James demonstrates compassion, and he is studious. He is well-accomplished with his interactions, not only with the individuals that we support, but also coaches our staff to utilize person-centered techniques that concludes with positive developments. Thank you, James, for being a part of our team!

Candice Gharakhanian, ARF Administrator

My co-workers repeated what I have known since the start, that James understands our clients and staff so well and that they can feel his empathy. In Tagalog, English, Taglish – these were all expressed by the managers and the staff persons he meets.

Lilibeth Rapadas, ARF Administrator

I would like to express my sincere thanks and appreciation to James for his outstanding work in improving our client’s behavioral challenges. Since we began consultations with James, there has been a tremendous improvement and positive changes in our client’s behavior, much to the amazement of the client’s parents. His recommendations have been very fruitful and have made our job as caregivers much easier and less stressful. Thank you very much, James, for allowing us to benefit from your vast knowledge and professionalism.

Fatmata Kamara, SLS Instructor

James’s work has transformed our file management at Crow Canyon Care Home. I used to dread licensing inspections, but now everything is organized and complete, thanks to him. I’m genuinely grateful for his expertise and dedication – it’s made a world of difference!

Joyce Sawyer, ARF Lead Staff

I want to express my gratitude for your outstanding work. Your leadership not only enhanced the lives of our residents but also fostered a positive work environment. Thank you for being an inspiring team member.

Naward, ARF Administrator

James and Cypress ABC have been an invaluable asset to our team. Their ability to address challenges with precision and guide us through critical moments has been instrumental in our success. Recently, they helped us navigate a situation that could have escalated significantly, demonstrating exceptional problem-solving and leadership skills.

What sets James apart is his focus on fostering teamwork and confidence. By aligning our team’s efforts, he ensured that we could effectively support the 70+ individuals in our care. His approach is practical, results-driven, and deeply impactful, creating a stronger foundation for our team to thrive.

We are grateful for the expertise and dedication James and Cypress ABC bring to our organization. Their support has not only resolved immediate challenges but also strengthened our team for the future.

A&T Training Center

 

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MEET OUR EXPERTS

 

James Patrick, MS, BCBA

James is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and the founder of Cypress ABC, where he has spent over 17 years transforming care homes and day programs into environments that prioritize dignity, connection, and person-centered care.

With extensive experience conducting Functional Behavioral Assessments, developing individualized Behavior Support Plans, and training multidisciplinary teams, James has supported individuals with autism spectrum disorders, intellectual disabilities, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and traumatic brain injuries.

As a leader, James is passionate about mentoring others and building a team of like-minded professionals who share his vision for compassionate, innovative care. His work continues to set the standard for excellence in the field, inspiring meaningful change for individuals and care teams alike.

 

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Criselle Peñamante, MD, MA, MMSc – The Global Care Pioneer

Dr. Criselle brings a wealth of expertise in medicine, psychology, and global health delivery to Cypress ABC. With advanced training from Harvard Medical School and over a decade of experience in education, research, and clinical practice, she is passionate about improving care systems for vulnerable populations.

Criselle’s work focuses on delivering equitable, person-centered care, with a special interest in mental health, neurodevelopmental conditions, and quality improvement. Her approach combines system evaluation with compassionate, individualized support, ensuring that every participant receives the highest standard of care.

Criselle’s dedication to advancing care systems helps Cypress ABC lead the way in innovative, person-centered support.

 

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Vester Garcia – The Insight Visionary

Vester is a dedicated professional in the care and behavioral health field, specializing in supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities and empowering the organizations that serve them. As a Program Coordinator at Community Integrated Work Program, he oversees daily operations, manages staff, and ensures clients receive the support and advocacy they deserve.

Vester is actively involved in shaping the vision and framework for Cypress Insight, a web-based platform aimed at enhancing behavior tracking and data management for care homes and day programs. His hands-on experience and innovative mindset have helped shape tools that enable care teams to focus on delivering exceptional support. He ensures compliance in accordance with the California Code of Regulations and represents the organization and its clients when working with Regional Centers and Service Coordinators.

At Cypress ABC, Vester’s passion for advocacy, collaboration, and innovation drives meaningful change, making him an invaluable part of the team.

 

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Lisa Keslin, MS, BCBA – The Ethical Innovator

With over 20 years of experience as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, Lisa is a leader in ethical, person-centered care. She has supported individuals across the lifespan, from toddlers to adults, in diverse settings, specializing in advanced language programming and positive behavioral approaches.

Lisa’s passion for ethical practice drives her work mentoring and training multidisciplinary teams. She fosters professional growth through role-playing ethical decision-making scenarios and creating supportive cohorts for those pursuing advanced education. Her leadership ensures that every team member is equipped to deliver high-quality, evidence-based care.

At Cypress ABC, Lisa’s creativity, compassion, and dedication to ethical innovation empower individuals and teams to thrive, making her an invaluable part of the organization.

 

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Faisal Mohmand, MS, BCBA – The Behavior Architect

Faisal is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst with over eight years of experience supporting individuals with autism spectrum disorders, Down syndrome, and other developmental disabilities. His expertise includes conducting assessments, developing individualized treatment plans, and training multidisciplinary teams to ensure high-quality, person-centered care.

Faisal is known for his ability to build strong connections with clients, families, and care teams, fostering collaboration and trust to achieve meaningful outcomes. His hands-on approach and dedication to empowering individuals reflect his commitment to creating positive, lasting change.

At Cypress ABC, Faisal’s leadership, compassion, and focus on practical solutions make him an invaluable part of the team, helping to ensure every individual receives the support they need to thrive.

 

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Emily Cohen, RBT – The Behavior Trailblazer

Emily brings a unique blend of academic excellence, hands-on experience, and boundless enthusiasm to her role at Cypress ABC. As a Registered Behavior Technician with years of experience in both one-on-one and group settings, Emily has worked with individuals across the lifespan, including children, adolescents, and adults with developmental disabilities.

Currently pursuing her PhD in Clinical Psychology, Emily combines her academic training with a practical, person-centered approach. She excels at tailoring interventions to meet the unique needs of each individual, whether it’s creating engaging materials like customized Jeopardy boards to teach coping skills or collaborating with care teams to implement effective behavior strategies.

Emily’s creativity and dedication inspire growth and progress in every individual she supports.

 

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Briana Fair, LCSW – The Crisis Navigator

Briana brings over a decade of experience in social services, crisis intervention, and behavioral support to Cypress ABC. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, she has dedicated her career to empowering individuals with developmental disabilities and supporting the teams that care for them.

Briana’s ability to connect with people — whether residents, staff, or administrators — sets her apart. She excels at building trust, adapting training to meet diverse needs, and collaborating with care teams to ensure consistent, high-quality support. Her expertise includes working with individuals in crisis, conducting behavioral assessments, and developing actionable plans to prevent triggers and promote stability.

At Cypress ABC, Briana’s compassionate approach helps create environments where individuals and teams can thrive together.

 

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Colleen Quisumbing, MS, LMFT – The Champion of Compassion

Colleen is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 15 years of experience supporting individuals with developmental disabilities and their care teams. Licensed in both California and Hawaii, Colleen blends her expertise in counseling, behavior analysis, and person-centered planning to create meaningful, individualized support strategies.

Her career spans roles as a clinical director, private practice therapist, and counselor, where she has overseen treatment teams, conducted assessments, and developed personalized plans to ensure dignity and progress. Colleen’s strength-based, humanistic approach focuses on building abilities while maintaining a deep commitment to ethical care.

At Cypress ABC, Colleen’s dedication to fostering independence and her ability to see the bigger picture make her an invaluable part of the team.

 

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Xochi Tobiko – The Joyful Connector

Pronounced SOH-chee, this miniature Australian Labradoodle is already on her way to becoming a certified Therapy Dog! Bred by the Loving Labradoodles program, Xochi is a bundle of sweetness and curiosity, bringing joy to everyone she meets.

Right now, her days are filled with the important work of being a puppy: napping like a pro, enjoying endless tummy rubs, soothing her teething with her favorite dental chews, and listening intently as her older sister reads to her. These moments are helping Xochi develop the calm, loving demeanor that will make her an exceptional therapy dog in the future.

With her gentle nature and growing confidence, Xochi is destined to bring comfort, connection, and a wagging tail to those who need it most. For now, she’s soaking up all the love and learning she can — one belly rub at a time!

 

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Stacey Stinson, MA, MT-BC, HPMT – The Melody Maker

Stacey is a Board-Certified Music Therapist with over a decade of experience harnessing the power of music to bring comfort, connection, and meaning to people’s lives. Specializing in hospice care, dementia support, and working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Stacey’s person-centered approach enhances quality of life through personalized, music-based activities.

As the founder of Music Therapy with Stacey, she provides innovative music therapy services to care homes, day programs, and individuals across the Bay Area. Stacey’s expertise includes developing legacy project programs, incorporating creative arts and technology, and tailoring group sessions to meet the unique needs of each participant.

At Cypress ABC, Stacey’s creativity, compassion, and dedication to using music as a tool for healing and growth make her an invaluable part of the team.

 

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Jenice de Quinto, DPT – The Independence Builder

Dr. Jenice is a dedicated physical therapist and the owner of Labyrinth Physical Therapy. She specializes in orthopedic, neurologic, vestibular, developmental, and geriatric conditions, using evidence-based and patient-centered care to help individuals regain confidence in movement and improve their quality of life.

With a lifelong connection to the care home field and a passion for working with individuals with developmental delays, Jenice brings a unique ability to connect with her patients. Her expertise includes tailored exercise programs, wheelchair evaluations, and holistic approaches to fostering independence.

Jenice’s commitment to compassionate care and creative problem-solving ensures every patient feels supported and empowered on their journey to better health.

 

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Josef Rapadas – The Care Home Virtuoso

Josef brings a wealth of experience in managing adult residential facilities and supporting individuals with developmental disabilities. With a strong background in caregiving, behavioral intervention, and team leadership, Josef has dedicated his career to fostering autonomy, dignity, and positive outcomes for the individuals he serves.

As an administrator of licensed adult residential facilities, Josef has successfully led teams of direct support professionals, developed Individualized Service Plans, and ensured full compliance during licensing inspections. His hands-on experience in behavioral intervention and crisis management, combined with his collaborative approach to working with care teams, reflects his commitment to creating supportive and empowering environments.

Josef’s leadership and expertise ensure that every care home he supports operates at its best.

 

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Mark Climaco – The Empowerment Mentor

Coach Mark brings over 15 years of teaching experience and a professional fighting career to Cypress ABC. As the leader of the Martial Arts Social Skills Group, he combines physical fitness with social awareness, helping participants build self-confidence, develop spatial awareness, and practice respect for themselves and others — all while having fun.

Mark’s martial arts journey began as a way to learn self-defense and gain self-confidence, eventually leading him to compete professionally at the highest levels, including a UFC platform tournament. Now, as the founder of Element MMA, he’s dedicated to sharing the transformative power of martial arts with his community.

Mark’s passion for teaching and his ability to inspire confidence leave a lasting impact on everyone he works with.

 

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OUR SERVICES

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READY TO TRANSFORM CARE?

 

Ready to elevate your care home or day program to a new standard of excellence? Let’s connect. Share your email below to start the journey toward creating environments where dignity, connection, and empowerment come first.

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