Orange County Association of School
Psychologists

THE NEW 2009-2010 OCASP BOARD OF DIRECTORS

→   A quick run down:

→  Political Action Committee (PAC) (photos and profiles included after Kate McClain)

  • Coordinator -
    • Jenna Downey
  • Committee Representatives -
    • Kayley Parrett
    • Jenny Hoang

President - Vhenus Belisle, EdS

Vhenus Belisle is our new OCASP President for the 2009-2010 school year. We want to congratulate her and support her throughout the months to come. We know that she will do a superb job of leading OCASP and continue to further the field of school psychology.

Vhenus has been a member of OCASP for over 5 years. She is a full time School Psychologist in the Los Alamitos Unified School District (LAUSD). She studied Psychology and Creative Writing at CSULB before furthering her education at Chapman University, receiving a Master of Arts degree in Educational Psychology and Educational Specialist degree. Vhenus has research experience at the UCI Pediatric Cancer Division, has experience working with at-risk populations, and has experience working as an ABA therapist. In 2008, she was awarded outstanding service from the Board of Education and Administration in the LAUSD. In 2008, she was also nominated and honored for her support as well as dedication to students with special needs with a Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Award from her SELPA. She is presenting at the Winter 2009 CASP Conference with OCASP’s past President, Pedro Olvera, to be held at Chapman University this year.

On a personal note, her and her husband welcomed a son, Jacques, on March 29, 2009. In her spare time, she enjoys an active lifestyle with her husband, daughter, and baby. This past summer, Vhenus competed in one 5k and three 10ks benefiting different causes. In October 2009, she finished her first half marathon. Congratulations Vhenus!!! We know you will do a great job as 2009-2010 OCASP President and you have our full support!!!

Vhenus is participating in the 2010 Long Beach Marathon. Please visit the "Walks for Causes" tab to learn more about how OCASP is contributing to various efforts and how you can contribute as well.

If you would like to contact Vhenus, email her at vbelisle@gmail.com.

President Elect - Derek Ihori, MS, LEP, NCSP 

 

 

 

 

Derek is the new President Elect. He and Vhenus will be collaborating together in the upcoming months to bring you another exceptional OCASP year. Derek will go on to be next year’s OCASP President.

Derek is a Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP) and a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) who is currently employed by the Los Alamitos Unified School District.  He earned his B.A. in Psychology and Social Behavior from the University of California, Irvine (UCI) with a minor in Education.  He went on to earn his M.S. degree in Counseling with a Specialization in School Psychology from the California State University, Northridge (CSUN).  Derek is currently a doctoral student at the University of Southern California (USC).  His areas of interest include Response to Intervention (RTI), behavioral assessment/interventions, and case law.

If you would like to contact Derek, feel free to e-mail him at dihori@usc.edu.

Past President and CASP Region IX Rep.- Pedro Olvera, PsyD, LEP

Dr. Pedro Olvera is the Past President of OCASP. He served OCASP as last years President and creator of the quarterly newsletters. He has been elected to serve as the current Region IX Rep. for the California Association of School Psychologists (CASP). Dr. Olvera will keep OC school psychologists up to date on the latest news that affect the field. He will communicate via the website and quarterly newsletters. Look for his articles in the months to come.

Dr. Olvera has been a school psychologist for the past 8 years at SAUSD. He received his Master's degree in Education, School Psychology from Azusa Pacific University (APU) and his Doctorate degree in Educational Psychology from Alliant International University.

Dr. Olvera is the Director of the School Psychology program at APU where he also holds a professorship position. 

Dr. Olvera holds a part-time private practice as a Licensed Educational Psychologist in the Newport Beach area.

On a personal note, he and his wife welcomed their first child, Isaac, on March 9, 2009. He is excited about his new role as dad.

If you would like to contact Dr. Olvera, please send an email to polvera@apu.edu.

Treasurer - Christine Marsden, EdS, LEP

Christine Marsden has been a school psychologist for the past 8 years. She graduated from Chapman University with a Master's degree in Educational Psychology and an Education Specialist Degree in School Psychology. She currently works part-time for PYUSD.

 

Christine has served in many capacities within OCASP. She has held positions such as President and Past President along with CASP Region IX Rep. in the past few years before passing the torch to Dr. Olvera and now Vhenus Belisle. 

 

Christine was awarded Outstanding School Psychologist by her colleagues in 2007. OCASP would definitely not be the organization that it is today if it weren’t for her!!!

 

Christine holds a part-time private practice as a Licensed Educational Psychologist.

 

If you wish to contact Christine, you can do so at cj.marsden@hotmail.com.

Secretary - Vivien Phan, PsyD, LEP

  

Dr.Vivien Phan completed her doctorate in Educational Psychology at Alliant International University.  She received her Master’s degree from California State University, Long Beach. She has been working with SAUSD for the last 10 years as a school psychologist. Prior to this, she was a special education teacher for severely handicapped students at the intermediate level. She is also a Licensed Educational Psychologist with specialization in bilingual assessments (Vietnamese) and adolescent self-injury.  

 

Dr. Phan creates this year's board meeting minutes and quarterly newsletters.

 

If you would like to contact Vivien, email her at Vivien.Phan@sausd.us.

Membership Coordinator - Jennifer Feeser, MA

 Jennifer Feeser graduated from Azusa Pacific University with her Master of Arts in Education, School Psychology. She has worked as a school psychologist at a private Christian high school in Irvine for the past 3 years. Prior to being a school psychologist, Jennifer worked as a school counselor for 3 years for various districts in Orange County.

Jennifer brings to OCASP her exceptional database skills. She has helped OCASP organize itself by creating a user-friendly membership database. She also has taken on the responsibility of creating membership certificates and workshop flyers.

Jennifer and her husband are expecting a baby on

If you wish to contact Jennifer, you may do so at jennifer.feeser@gmail.com.

WebMaster - Veronica I. Olvera, PsyD

Dr. Veronica I. Olvera graduated from the Clinical Psychology program at Azusa Pacific University. She went on to complete a post-doctoral fellowship at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center in Adult Clinical Neuropsychology. She held a professorship position at APU before becoming a mom. Her and her husband have welcomed their first child, Isaac. She is currently a stay-at-home mom and is working toward getting licensed.

Although not a school psychologist, she is excited to be a part of OCASP. She brings to OCASP her many skills that assists the organization in maintaining a great image.

Should you wish to contact Dr. Olvera, email her at dr.veronica.i.olvera@gmail.com.

Event Coordinator - Libby Barnish, MA, EdS

 

Libby recently completed her MA and EdS degrees at Chapman University and she is excited to work for Green Dot Public Schools this year. At the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) Annual Convention in Boston, Libby presented research on resiliency in low-income students alongside Chapman professor, Dr. Michael Hass. As the NASP Student Leader for Chapman, Libby established the first ever Chapman University Association of School Psychologists. Libby has also gained excellent experience in ABA both from working as a Behavior Therapist and a Behavior Consultant, teaching parents behavior strategies. Libby completed her fieldwork in the Long Beach and Los Alamitos Unified School Districts and she is thrilled to continue to challenge herself this year in her new endeavor at Green Dot.

In her spare time, Libby plays soccer and lacrosse, and enjoys coaching a middle school girls’ lacrosse team. 

If you would like to contact Libby, you can do so at lbarnish@gmail.com.

Community Liaison - Eby Kent, MS, LEP

 

 

Eby Kent has been a School Psychologist for the past 5 years.  Previously, she worked in the Corona-Norco Unified School District and is currently working in the Newport-Mesa Unified School District.  Eby earned her B.A. in Psychology from CSU, Long Beach and went on to earn her M.S. degree in Educational School Psychology from National University.  She recently became a Licensed Educational Psychologist.  Additionally, she has completed her coursework and is preparing to sit for the Board Certified Behavioral Analysis (BCBA) exam. 

On a personal note, Eby and her husband are planning to welcome a new family member on December 12, 2009. 

 If you would like to contact Eby, email her at ekent@nmusd.us.

University Representative - Kate McClain, BA

 

Kate is currently in her third year of the MA and EdS program at Chapman University. She is completing her practicum work at Los Alamitos Unified School District. For the last two years she has been working as an instructional aide for students who are severely handicapped at Huntington Beach USD. Additionally, she works at McGaugh Elementary as an Interventionist in a before school RTI program.

 

If you wish to contact Kate, you may do so at KMcc389143@aol.com.

Political Action Committee (PAC)

     

       

     

 

 JENNA DOWNEY - COORDINATOR

Jenna Downey is a second-year student at Chapman University. She is completing her practicum at Los Alamitos Unified School District. Jenna, originally from Northern California, received her BS degree in Human Development at UC Davis. She has held various positions including behavior therapist for children with autism. Jenna aspires to become a school psychologist to make a difference in the lives of children with educational related needs.

 

 KAYLEY PARRETT - REPRESENTATIVE

Kayley Parrett completed her undergraduate work at Arizona State University with a BS in Psychology. She is currently in her second year of the MA Program in Educational Psychology at Azusa Pacific University. She is completing her practicum at Los Alamitos Unified School District. She also participates in facilitating a before-school social skills group for children with Asperger’s Syndrome. Her goal is to become a school psychologist and to continue to make a difference in the lives of those struggling with Autism Spectrum Disorder and their families.

 

 JENNY HOANG - REPRESENTATIVE

Jenny Hoang received her BA in Human Development from Cal State Long Beach before deciding to pursue a career in education. She is currently in the MA program in School Psychology at Chapman University. She worked as a behavior therapist at Autism Behavior Consultants and went on to work as a school secretary within Tustin Unified School District for several years. She currently works as a paraeducator in a special day preschool class in Tustin Unified and also holds a developmental specialist position at Children's Learning Connection. Jenny aspires to become a school psychologist to help meet the various needs of those with learning disabilities and their families.