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DC-AC Family Advisory Group

About Our Members

Ward 2

Monica Caroline

My child is 5 years old and was diagnosed with autism in 2021.

I look forward to being a DC Autism Collaborative Family Advisory Group Member because sharing our unique autism care journey is a powerful way of raising awareness, educating D.C. families on navigating our early childhood systems, and driving meaningful change in the community.

Ward 3

Aliscia Gerken

My child is 9 years old and was diagnosed with autism in 2019.

I look forward to being a DC Autism Collaborative Family Advisory Group Member because I am committed to creating an awareness of services and resources available to or needed by families of special needs children so the most appropriate care is provided within families, educational and medical communities in an accessible, equitable, diverse and inclusive manner.

Ward 8

Joy Harrington

My twins are 9 years old. My daughter was diagnosed in 2017 and my son in 2019.

I look forward to being a DC Autism Collaborative Family Advisory Group Member because I hope that the work we do ultimately provides families whose children are newly diagnosed with a clear roadmap of what to do next and where to get help in D.C.

Ward 6

Angela Henson

My child is 6 years old and was diagnosed with autism in 2021.

I look forward to being a DC Autism Collaborative Family Advisory Group Member because I hope to help families access the resources that are available to them.

Ward 7

Chelsey Houwen

My 3-year-old child was diagnosed with autism in 2023.

I’m excited to join the DC Autism Collaborative Family Advisory Group because I want to help families navigate this journey by providing a clear roadmap. I aim to assist them in understanding the information and resources available, as there’s a lot to learn.

Ward 5

Margaux Jessup

My child is 9 years old and was diagnosed with autism in 2020.

I look forward to being a DC Autism Collaborative Family Advisory Group Member because of the work we will do to help support and enable families directly (education + access to resources) and inform/advocate for policies that better meet the needs of D.C. families.

Ward 5

Katiuska Lourenco da Silva

My child is 6 years old and was diagnosed with ASD in December 2020.

As a member of the DC Autism Collaborative Family Advisory Group, I look forward to building bridges with the community, closing gaps that might exist due to language barriers/cultural differences, and sharing information with other parents or family members to ensure equality and accessibility to all.

Ward 8

Dewey Sampson

My child is 10 years old and was diagnosed with autism in 2017.

I look forward to being a DC Autism Collaborative Family Advisory Group Member because I think that building a community where parents can share experiences and resources and have honest discourse is critical.

Ward 1

Rose Whelan

My child is 7 years old and was diagnosed with autism in 2021.

I look forward to being a DC Autism Collaborative Family Advisory Group Member because I found seeking a diagnosis and figuring out how best to support my child to be overwhelming and hope that by coming together as a community, we can advise on how to make these processes easier.

Past DC-AC Family Advisory Group Members

Ward 7

Katherine Smyth Haskins

2023-2024 Cohort

Ward 8

Temidayo Ojo

2023-2024 Cohort

Ward 6

Richard Parker

2023-2024 Cohort