Our Staff

Peggy Alreck-Anthony, Office Manager (Danville)

Peggy brings extensive business experience in processes, business controls and project management making her a good fit for the management of our office. Including years of volunteering with youth sports and schools along with her love of kids is what sparked the interest in working here. Seeing how much the DSCBA has meant to Nancy’s life over the last few years clinched it.

Tempra Board, Grant Manager   

Tempra Board is a professional grant writer and development consultant for non-profit organizations. She holds a Master's degree in Communication Development and has more than 15 years of non-profit experience, including as Development Director of small and mid-sized organizations. (www.tempra@tempraboard.com) Having worked with DSCBA since 2010, “I continue to find inspiration in the passion and dedication of DSCBA’s staff and board, and in the amazing abilities of the families we serve.”  

Laura Briggs,  Facilitator- Small Steps & Steppin' In (Danville)

Laura brings over 17 years of experience in working with children, the last fourteen with children with special needs. She brings both her love of the work and wide ranging experience, having worked with children of all ages and with many different types of disabilities. In fact, just two classes short of earning her Preschool Certificate in Early Childhood Education Laura began her most valuable education as mother to a son with Down syndrome. 

Jennifer Cooper, Director of Education Support and Services

Jennifer Cooper, MA Ed, has worked in the field of education for over 16 years, the last 10 of which have focused on special education. Jennifer is dedicated to helping children with disabilities reach their fullest potential in a meaningful and motiving manner. She believes in the power and success of authentically including people with disabilities in all areas of their school and community experiences. Jennifer also enjoys connecting with and supporting families along the journey of raising a child with Down syndrome. She loves to spend time with her husband and two teenage boys, the eldest of whom has with Down syndrome. 

Susan Coulson, Co-Facilitator, Small Steps (Danville)

Susan Coulson, is a mom of 4 children and all were born in England. In April 2008 they relocated to the US. While in England, Susan held various positions which include being a Health and Safety Supervisor as well as work in both a retail & restaurant environment. It was when she helped out at her children’s local Pre-school that she realized her love for children. She then moved on to working in Elementary School with children with special needs.  Upon arriving in the US she started working with the SRVUSD as a para educator.  She has been working with children now for the past 12 years and says that she loves every minute of it. 

Nancy Ferguson, Director of Parent Support (Danville)

NancyFerguson, is a graduate of Michigan State University with a BS in communication.   She  relocatedwith her family, to the Bay Area from Michigan in 2011.  Nancy has served as thePresident of the Parent Advisory Committee for children with special needs in theRochester School District. She also provided support and advocacy to parents at the county level.   Nancy has three children, including Adam, her son with Down syndrome. Her family has found the DSCBA to be an incredible resource and support network.

Marianne Iversen, Director of Programs & Adult Services Support, Facilitator- Next Step (Danville)

Marianne has been a longtime friend of the DSCBA. She became a board member in 2008 and in 2009 joined the staff part time as the Program Coordinator and teacher in the Next Step class. She is now the full time Director of Programs and continues to teach the Next Step Class. She brings over 15 years of experience of working with adults in both a school and adult program setting teaching vocational and life skills. She also brings years of experience running and operating a small business but is happy to be back full time in the area where she feels her heart truly belongs. 

Nancy Labelle, Executive Director (Danville)

Nancy has had an extensive business career that has included several Executive Management positions such as Product Marketing and Product Development Director. During her 24-year employment in a Fortune 500 company she obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Business Management and Master of Science degree in Technology Management. Nancy’s experience of leading several multi-million dollar projects, and the budgets, timelines, and people that go along with them, has provided her with a well rounded view of what businesses—and nonprofits—need to thrive. Nancy brings to the Connection not only her educational and background experience but her love and compassion for people, desire to break down barriers, and commitment to serving the community.

Christina Lewis, Facilitator S.F.Step (S.F.)

Christina Lewis is a drama therapist and a special education teacher. She works in the San Francisco Unified School District with students with severe developmental disabilities, and teaches Clowning to children of all ages in a variety of settings throughout the Bay Area. 

Scarlett McIntosh, Faciliatator Step Out (Oakland)

Scarlett graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in 2013 with a BA in psychology and anthropology. Since then, she has been putting her energy towards the cooperative movement and reproductive justice work. Intermingled along the way, she became interested in disability justice while working for Ala Costa Adult Transition Program, a community-based program in Berkeley for transition-aged youth. She learned about DSCBA from working with ACAT and is thrilled to continue working with other groups in the East Bay on empowerment and self-advocacy. She enjoys making art and dancing around to her favorite tunes in her spare time making her a great fit for facilitating our Oakland Step Out class.

 Tamara Reed,  Facilitator-Benicia Step & Step In  (Danville, Benicia)

Tamara is a mother and animal lover. Her background includes working with children and adults who have developmental disabilites through Special Oympics, group homes and more. 

 Joseph Vaughn, Administrative Assistant (Danville)

Joseph Is 37 years old. He lives in his own apartment and enjoys seeing his family on the weekends.  His family includes his parents and two brothers, 1 sister and 7 neices and nephews. Joseph volunteers as an usher at his church on Sundays and at the Pleasant Hill Library twice a week.  He enjoys playing basketball and swimming and his a fan of the SF Giants and St. Mary's basketball.