Who We Are
L-R: Donna Henry, Linda Resnikoff & Lori Lei Makua.
The Heart of Our HIPPY Program
Donna Henry is one of our Home Visitor. One of her goals is to reach as many parents as possible in our communities to provide them with the tools on how to prepare and inspire a love of learning in their children. My passion has and always will be children. When I see what the Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters (HIPPY) can do for each family in the Brevard community, I can only dream what we can do for thousands across the various states.
Linda Resnikoff come from a background of Diplomatic translating, international shipping, Import Export documentation, and Business administration. I am an active member of the Indian River Flute Circle, the Native Rhythms Committee, which is supported by the Native Heritage Gathering, Inc. a non-profit organization. Having been raised overseas, I am fluent in both English and Spanish.
Lori Lei Makua worked in Early Education for over 25 years. She enjoys her role as a HIPPY Home Visitor because it gives her the opportunity to continue doing what she loves – teaching.
Jacqueline Amos joined the Central Florida Child Health Program family in March 2006. Ms. Amos graduated from the University of the West Indies with a degree in Public Administration and International Relations. She completed her graduate studies at Nova Southeastern University in 2008 with a master’s in Business Administration and a Master of Science in Leadership.
Ms. Amos is passionate about empowering those with special needs. She volunteers as a coordinator for the Nathaniel’s Hope Buddy Break Program. She is also a Sunday School teacher for the adult special needs population at First Baptist Church of Orlando.
My name is Denise Valcin, and I recently joined the Central Florida Child Health Program family as the Program Director for HIPPY program. I have a bachelor’s degree in business administration, and I am certificated in Child Welfare. My passion for child advocacy comes from my eight years of experience with the Department of Children and Families and other partnering agencies in past years. I also serve my community as the Communication Director of the Palm Bay Seventh-Day Adventist Church under the leadership of Pastor Wintley Phipps and have been for the past eight years maintaining a positive message across our social media platform. Lastly, I have been married for 30 years with three children, Elio Valcin (my husband, Elijah Valcin my eldest son, Khalil Valcin my youngest son and my daughter who I took in at the age of 18 – Tianna Lavendure.
Dr. Devendra Mehta grew up in East Africa and England. He is a graduate of the Kings College, University of London, and completed his pediatric residency at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. He completed his master’s degree in tropical medicine at University of London before completing his pediatric gastroenterology and nutrition fellowship at Hahnemann University. Dr. Mehta was the division chief, director of gastroenterology research and the Pediatric Gastroenterology Fellowship Program at Thomas Jefferson University before moving to Orlando. Dr. Mehta is the director of outcomes and translational research at Arnold Palmer Hospital. He has received Philadelphia’s Top Doctor Award from 2002 to 2005 and was recognized in Orlando Magazine’s Best and Top Doctor’s issue from 2005 to 2009.
Naina Mehta, MD, is a neurodevelopmental pediatrician at the Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children Behavioral and Developmental Center. She is board certified in pediatrics and neurodevelopmental disabilities. Dr. Mehta earned her medical degree from United Medical and Dental Schools of Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Hospitals, London University. While in London, she completed a residency in perinatal pediatrics. Dr. Mehta continued her training in Philadelphia, completing a pediatric residency at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and a developmental/behavioral pediatric fellowship at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, at the Children’s Seashore House. Dr. Mehta is a member of the Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics.
Mr. Dermott Kerr retired in 2017 after a long career as an Accountant and Auditing executive, with expertise in Compliance and Operational audits. Mr. Kerr worked for many large organizations including Walt Disney World, Adventist Health Care Centers in Orlando, New York State Department of Labor and New York State Bureau of Audit and Investigations. Mr. Kerr received his accounting degree from Iona College in New Rochelle, NY, and his MBA in Business Management from Belhaven University in Jackson, Mississippi. Mr. Kerr has served on many boards. Currently he is a Board Member of the Lakeside Estates Master Community Association in Kissimmee. He is also the Christian Education Director and Associate Pastor at Faith Harvest Worship Center in Kissimmee.
Linda Leonard-Woods has a BA in Education and Social Sciences from Missouri Baptist University – St Louis, a Master’s degree in Education with Reading Specialist Certification from University of MO – St Louis, and a Master’s degree in English with ESOL Certification from Southeast MO State University. Linda worked as an Educator for Ritenour School District (served as Director of ESOL Services 2006-2011). She also worked as a bilingual Survivor Advocate for United Abolitionist Dec 2014-Nov. 2019. In 2006 Mrs. Leonard-Woods received a Lifetime Achievement Award from MO Dept of Elementary and Secondary Education’s Migrant English Language Learner Dept., and Polaris Star Award for her work as a Human Trafficking Survivor Advocate in Central Florida. Linda teaches citizenship classes at Hope Community Center in Apopka (ESOL and GED as needed). She serves on the Advisory Board of Farmworker Association of Florida and runs the Out of Our Bounty Campaign 2016-2021 to feed farm laborers during the off-season. She currently works as a bilingual Family Advocate for Spanish-speaking families and serves on the Missions and Disaster Relief Teams at St Luke’s UMC Orlando.