Clallam Mosaic, a local nonprofit that works to enrich, encourage and empower people with developmental disabilities, is expanding their Community Guide and Engagement (CGE) services, a program contracted with Washington State’s Developmental Disabilities Administration.

Tresa Stuber, former program coordinator for Clallam Mosaic, is the new community access coordinator, spearheading Mosaic’s offerings through the community guide services.

“CGE services are taking off, and having a huge positive impact on people within our community,” explained Stuber, who said she is excited about the opportunity to work more individually with clients.

“The program is designed to help individuals who qualify for DDA services to create personalized goals which allow them to explore their community and the many opportunities they have to increase inclusion within the community,” she said.

As one of the founders of Clallam Mosaic — formerly named SNAP/Special Needs Advocacy Parents — in 1998, Stuber has served as board president, executive director and, since 2014, program coordinator.

As Mosaic’s first program coordinator, Stuber dealt with the challenge of developing meaningful programs and building the team of instructors responsible for delivering lifelong learning programs to individuals with special needs.

“CGE is an exciting new area of service for Clallam Mosaic,” Mosaic Executive Director Priya Jayadev said. “Tresa will be a fantastic asset to delivery of this program within our county.”

Having spent the last three decades as an advocate for individuals with developmental disabilities, Stuber brings extensive knowledge of both the challenges and opportunities facing these individuals from both personal and professional experiences.

“As a mother of a 30-year-old woman with a developmental disability I know first-hand the challenges and joys that go along with enabling opportunities for her to become more included in her community,” Stuber said.

“Individuals with developmental disabilities have historically been marginalized into the outer limits of their communities. They have not been recognized for their many abilities and the contributions they can offer, making their communities a better place to live,” Stuber said.

“My goal is to help them recognize their interests and talents and put those talents to use for a fuller life, not only for themselves but also for the community we all share.”

Stuber can be reached at 360-460-2060 or by email at tresa.mosaic@gmail.com.

McDaniels joins staff

After two months of volunteering for Clallam Mosaic, Sequim native Katelynne McDaniels has been hired as the new program coordinator, replacing Stuber.

“Katelynne brings experience from agencies around the state that serve individuals with disabilities,” Jayadev said. “She brings fresh-thinking as well as tried-and-true best practices to Clallam Mosaic. We are so fortunate to have her enthusiasm and expertise join our organization.”

McDaniels worked for three years at Camp Beausite Northwest in Chimacum, where she served as one of the assistant program directors during her final year.

“The campers there left a lasting impact and forever hold a place in my heart. Without a doubt they are what led me down this career path,” McDaniels said.

With a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Services from Western Washington University, McDaniels also brings experiences with the Max Higbee Center in Bellingham, and the Arc of Whatcom County.

In the role of program coordinator, McDaniels will be creating term schedules, developing new class ideas, coordinating and recruiting instructors, and working with participants through the registration and scholarship processes.

“We hope to expand the scope of our classes to include subjects and activities we have done in the past, as well as introduce new and exciting opportunities for our participants to partake in,” said McDaniels. “My ultimate goal is simply to take part in providing access to activities that expand upon peoples’ lives in ways that are meaningful to each and every individual that we serve.”

McDaniels also is working on her certification as a registered behavior technician in Applied Behavioral Analysis therapy, a behavioral approach to working with individuals with developmental disabilities, especially young children with autism.

Reach McDaniels at 360-681-8642 or by email at katelynne.mosaic@gmail.com.