Megan Babin, M.S., CCC-SLP – Speech Language Pathologist
Julia Bentley, M.A – Family Resources Coordinator and Family Support Specialist
Jamie Brown – Office Manager
Shannon Clark, B.S. – Special Educator
Amanda Harper-Phillips – Occupational Therapist
Jonelle Held – Family Resources Coordinator
Alison Lombardi, M.S., CCC-SLP – Speech Language Pathologist
Betty Lucas, MPH, RD, CD – Nutrition Consultant
Becky Martin, M.Ed – Special Educator
Elizabeth McKee, MSS, LSWAIC – Family Resources Coordinator
Joah McPherson, M.S., CCC-SLP – Speech Language Pathologist
Lottie Olver, PGDip. CCC-SLP – Speech Language Pathologist and Early Intervention Director
Diana Rende Dallas, OTR/L – Occupational Therapist
Ashley Sharer, M.A., CF-SLP – Speech Language Pathologist
Rebecca Smith, OTR/L - Occupational Therapist and Early Intervention Director
Meghan M.Trigg, MSPT – Physical Therapist
Laura Worthen- M.S., CCC-SLP – Speech Language Pathologist
Megan Babin, M.S., CCC-SLP – Speech Language Pathologist
Megan Babin graduated from the University of Washington with a post-baccalaureate degree and Master’s in the Speech and Hearing Sciences in the summer of 2009. In addition to pursuing pediatric coursework and pediatric clinical opportunities during her time at the University of Washington, Megan was also actively involved in a research grant that targeted and developed early signs of communication in young children with special needs. It was during this experience Megan was first exposed to early intervention and came to appreciate and value the role it plays in supporting children with special needs and their families. Prior to joining Northwest Center Kids in early 2011, she provided services to children and families age 18 months to fourteen years in south King County.
Outside of work, Megan recently moved closer to the downtown area of Seattle and enjoys taking in the sights and sounds of the city. In addition to exploring her new neighborhood, Megan is an avid baker and enjoys cooking, spending time with friends and family, as well as dancing and practicing yoga.
Julia Bentley, M.A. – Family Resources Coordinator and Family Support Specialist
Julia graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from West Virginia University and worked as a preschool teacher for several years. In 1993, she received her Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy from Antioch New England Graduate School and established a private practice in Maine. After relocating to Seattle, Julia worked as a family therapist with clients receiving services through the Department of Social and Health Services and later as a Case Manager with Childhaven. Julia joined the staff of Northwest Center in 2002, first working for adult services and then moving to the children’s program in 2005.
Jamie Brown – Office Manager
Julia graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from West Virginia University in 1984 and worked as a preschool teacher for the next 6 years. In 1993, she received her Master's in Marriage and Family Therapy from Antioch New England Graduate School and established a private practice in Maine. After relocating to Seattle, Julia worked as a family therapist with clients receiving services through the Department of Social and Health Services and later as a Case Manager with Childhaven.
Julia joined the staff of Northwest Center in 2002, first working for adult services and then moving to the children’s program. Julia runs the monthly parent support group and looks forward to the continued development of family enrichment services at the Child Development Program.
Shannon Clark, B.S. – Special Educator
Shannon Clark is a Washington state certified special education teacher and has been at Northwest Center since July of 2008. Shannon has served children in a variety of educational settings throughout her career; including public and private schools, early intervention home based programs, and as an educational consultant for children with autism. Shannon began her career as a public school classroom teacher in southern Indiana for children with emotional difficulties. She received her teaching degree from Indiana University. Shannon enjoys the opportunity to work with children at the Child Development program and to be able to work with families within their home and community environments. Shannon spends her free time reading, figure skating and chasing her two children around.
Amanda Harper-Phillips – Occupational Therapist
Amanda earned her Bachelor’s in Psychology from Whitman College in 2003. She then earned her Master’s in Occupational Therapy from the University of Washington in 2010. Amanda enjoyed her second internship with Northwest Center Early Intervention so much, she jumped at the opportunity to fill an open position and joined the team in early 2011. Amanda believes in the importance of family-centered care and working with children and their families in their homes and communities.
Amanda grew up in Seattle and in her free time she enjoys reading, playing board games, going to the beach, and playing Ultimate Frisbee with her husband.
Jonelle Held - Family Resources Coordinator
Jonelle graduated from the Western Washington University in 2007 with a General Studies degree with a minor in Communication Sciences and Disorders. As part of her studies at WWU, she took classes in Early Childhood Education, Special Education, and Audiology. Throughout college, she worked in a variety of childcare settings (home-based and center-based), here in Seattle and in Bellingham. In 2007, she came to Northwest Center Child Development Program as a toddler teacher, and loved every minute getting to know all the wonderful families.
In May 2010, Jonelle joined the Early Intervention Team as a Family Resource Coordinator, to continue her passion for helping and connecting with families.
Jonelle enjoys spending time with her family and friends, being outdoors, and doing a little shopping here and there.
Alison Lombardi, M.S., CCC-SLP - Speech Language Pathologist
Alison received a Master of Science degree in Speech Pathology from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in 1999. After moving to Seattle in 2000, she worked with young children in a variety of settings including the Lake Washington School District, a private practice, and Childhaven. Alison joined the Northwest Center Early Intervention Team in June of 2010 and believes strongly in the mission and philosophy of care where families and therapists work together to help children grow and learn. She is excited to continue working closely with children in their natural environments with the collaboration of a wonderful therapeutic team.
Her continuing education includes PROMPT Level 1, and a special interest in infant mental health including trainings from Bruce Perry’s Neurosequential Model of Therapeutics at the Child Trauma Academy, an introduction to Promoting First Relationships ® and cultural competency.
Alison enjoys spending time with her husband and two young daughters, cooking, and traveling.
Betty Lucas, MPH, RD, CD , Nutrition Consultant
Betty has worked with children with special health care needs and their families for many years at the Center on Human Development and Disability (CHDD), University of Washington. Her job has included clinics, working with nutrition trainees, and supporting nutrition and feeding team services in Washington State.
Betty began as the nutrition consultant for the Northwest Center Child Development’s early intervention program in the summer of 2007. She enjoys working with such a great team, and gets professional and personal satisfaction from helping families with their children’s nutrition and feeding challenges.
In her free time, Betty likes to garden (she has a P-Patch in the Seattle program), travel, and go kayaking and biking with her husband. /p>
Becky Martin, M.Ed. – Special Educator
Becky graduated from Western Washington University with a BA in Education, majoring in Child Development/Family Relationships. She received her Master’s in Education in 2003 in Reading and Literacy. She has worked in several roles with 0-5 year old children and their families: Head Start as a Home Visitor and Lead Teacher in Skagit County, Preschool Special Education with school districts and Resource Room Teacher. Becky has worked with children of many backgrounds and abilities. Her training includes inclusive preschool environments and Autism training from University of Washington. Most of her work with young children has had a strong base in family involvement and she feels that working with encouraging families to advocate for their children is one of the most important parts of what she does as an educator.
Becky joined Northwest Center in February 2011 and believes NW Center is an organization where she can continue working in her passion area of young children and their families. She enjoys spending time outside of work with her daughter and grandson, enjoying time with friends, crafting, cooking, church activities, and sightseeing around the local area.
Elizabeth McKee, MSS, LSWAIC – Family Resources Coordinator
Elizabeth received a Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Portland in 2007. After working in as an administrator at a non-profit inclusive childcare program for two years, Elizabeth ventured to Philadelphia to earn her Master of Social Service degree from Bryn Mawr College. Elizabeth has extensive experience working with children and families of all abilities including those with special needs, behavior issues, and mental health diagnoses. In August of 2010, Elizabeth joined the Northwest Center and feels her position in the Early Intervention Team is a great way to combine her interests in social work and education. Elizabeth is a Licensed Social Worker Associate and is working towards her full clinical license.
Elizabeth is a Seattle native and in her free time enjoys baking, crafting, exercising, traveling and spending time with family and friends.
Joah McPherson, M.S., CCC-SLP – Speech Language Pathologist
Joah received a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech and Hearing Sciences from the University of Washington in 1998. She earned a Master of Arts degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of Washington in 2000, participating in internships at a private practice clinic and at Seattle Children’s Hospital.
After graduation, Joah worked both in a private practice clinic and in the Mukilteo School District. She enjoyed working with the team of educators and therapists in the school district. She also valued the close communication with families and the one-on-one therapy model of the clinic. Northwest Center combines the best of both of her previous work settings. She joined the NWC Early Intervention Team in September, 2009. She is thrilled to be working with young children and their families in natural settings, with the support and camaraderie of the therapeutic team.
Joah grew up in Seattle and she and her husband enjoy taking their two young boys to the beach, mountains, museums and all the other places where she played as a child.
Lottie Olver, PGDip. CCC-SLP – Speech Language Pathologist and Early Intervention Director
Lottie moved from England to work at Northwest Center in February 2005. After graduating, she worked in London with children and adults with developmental delays, and their families. At the Northwest Center Early Intervention Program she is committed to empowering families to support their child’s development and divides her time between seeing children in their natural environment and co-directing the intervention department.
Her training includes Beckman Oral motor, Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), Hanen It Takes Two to Talk® caregiver training, TEACCH, sensory integration and Neurodevelopmental Treatment (NDT).
Outside work Lottie loves the mountains, hiking, sailing, soccer and skiing.
Diana Rende Dallas, OTR/L – Occupational Therapist
Diana earned her Mater’s in Occupational Therapy from the University of Washington in 2006. She spent her first year of practice in a private pediatric clinic with clients ranging from infants to adolescents. She first joined the Northwest Center Child Development Early Intervention team as in intern in October, 2006. After a year in pediatrics, she found her passion to be in early intervention and was happy to join the team as a colleague in March 2008.
In her free time, Diana enjoys cooking, baking and hosting game nights at her house. Like many of the kiddos she has treated, she loves to play outside. If the opportunity arises, she loves to travel (especially to warm places).
Ashley Sharer, M.A., CF-SLP – Speech Language Pathologist
Ashley earned a Bachelor of Science in Speech and Hearing Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 2007. She worked as a teacher at Early Learning in Champaign, IL for a year before returning to the University of Illinois to earn a Master's of Arts in Speech and Hearing Science in 2010. While working on her M.A., she participated in the Preparing Relationship-based Early Intervention Personnel (PREP) Project Traineeship with the Department of Special Education. This provided her with specialized training in Early Intervention services.
Ashley moved to Seattle from central Illinois to join the Early Intervention team at Northwest Center in August 2010. She enjoys exploring the city, as well as its parks and surrounding neighborhoods.
Rebecca Smith, OTR/L - Occupational Therapist and Early Intervention Director
Becky joined the Northwest Center Child Development Program’s early intervention team in July 2004 after graduating from the University of Washington with a Master’s in Occupational Therapy. She gained pediatric experience in the Seattle Public Schools and in private pediatric clinics. Becky came to the Northwest Center’s EI team because she was craving time with children after working with adults as an occupational therapist at Harborview Medical Center. She fell for the mission of the Northwest Center and the philosophy of the early intervention team!
Becky has been trained in the following: intermediate Neurodevelopmental Treatment, Aquatic therapy, using yoga with special populations, feeding and weaning from a feeding tube, sensory processing/sensory integration and the Alert ® program.
Becky enjoys being outside hiking, walking and swimming. She practices yoga on a regular basis. Becky tries to incorporate these activities into her occupational therapy practice, as well as increasing knowledge and awareness of sensory processing and typical movement and development in children.
Becky’s life was changed for the better with the arrival of her son in April 2008. She has much respect for the absolute delights and challenges that parenting brings.
Meghan M.Trigg, MSPT – Physical Therapist
Meghan graduated from the Medical College of Virginia with her Master's of Science Degree and Physical Therapy degree in 1995. She worked with adults for 9 years focusing on neurological disorders and deficits. She transitioned to a pediatric focus in her practice to challenge herself and fulfill her initial purpose of becoming a physical therapist.
She has had a career focus on education as well. She has taught in the physical therapy assistant program at Whatcom Community College and has provided clinical education to students from all over the state, as well as being an item writer for the National Physical Therapy Examination.
Meghan’s treatment philosophies focus on neurodevelopmental treatment and she has always been interested in working on not just getting the task done, but HOW the task is done—and individualizing this for every client.
Laura Worthen- M.S., CCC-SLP – Speech Language Pathologist
Laura joined the Northwest Center Early Intervention Team following completion of her Master of Science degree at the University of Washington. During her training, Laura had clinical placements at Seattle Children’s Hospital, the Otolaryngology Department at UW Medical Center, Evergreen Speech and Hearing Clinic and Pediatric Speech and Language Associates. Beyond early intervention, Laura has interest in syndromes of the head and neck, voice disorders, dysfluency and rehabilitation following craniofacial surgeries.