Our Superstars

Founder and Executive Director of ABLE Academy, Colleen lives every day by her personal mantra, “Pursue Passion, Inspire Through Action.” She is a Nationally Board Certified Behavior Analyst who has been practicing ABA since 1996. Colleen holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Emotional/Behavioral Disturbances and Communication, a Master of Science in Varying Exceptionalities Education with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), and a Doctorate of Education in Special Education with an emphasis in Curriculum Design. As a classroom teacher, Colleen worked with a wide range of differently ABLE-d learners. Colleen also served as a Behavior Analyst for Collier County Public Schools, providing behavioral intervention to a wide range of children and educational programming to children with autism.

In 2013, Colleen co-authored an assessment and curriculum with colleagues, Dr. Patrick McGreevy and Troy Fry, entitled Essentials for Living.

As a consultant, Colleen works with teams across the US to build behavioral and educational programs, providing planning, development, training, and support. The three-tiered model of instruction developed by Colleen has been replicated in several states across the US. Colleen’s greatest honor was working with a team in Rwanda to develop programming and provide training to teachers and parents at Autisme Rwanda, the only school in Africa specifically for children with autism.

Colleen’s vision drives ABLE Academy’s mission and she enjoys the hands-on approach to the things that matter most ~ the education and growth of differently ABLE-d children.

Jen, Director of the STAR Initiative, received her Masters degree in Counseling with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis from Nova Southeastern University in 2010. Jen is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. She has been a member of the ABLE team since 2005. Jen specializes in working with children who demonstrate problem behavior, developmental delays including autism, and children with limited language skills. She provides direct behavior analysis services, supervision for RBT’s, and parent/teacher training in twelve local early learning centers from Immokalee to Naples. She has been instrumental in designing programs and in developing general protocols for preschool classrooms that are used across Collier County early learning centers. Jen is also a member of ABLE Academy's Leadership Team.

Carolyn Staley-Penix, MSW, LCSW is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Master's degree in Social Work with an emphasis in children, youth and families. While her success with families and children owes much to her extensive experience and training, even more important is her ability to genuinely connect with her clients. Most people, especially children, experience more hope and confidence in their capacity for growth, when they feel connected and understood. Carolyn is described as being warm and compassionate and readily able to connect with children and their families. This gentle connection is where people draw strength to make the changes which will allow them to find stability and happiness.  Underlying this compassion is a fierce commitment to advocacy for the children and families she serves.

Carolyn has worked extensively serving children and families of Collier County for over 29 years. Her contributions include creating innovative programming, including clinical oversight, to address lack of therapeutic providers and to alleviate the increased need for mental health services in the Collier community. Training educators, school staff, and community organizations to assist families and bridge services including assessments, interventions, medical and educational supports to address critical needs with immediacy. Collaborating with community stakeholders to ensure timely and accurate delivery of relevant services to meet the needs of children and families. Providing therapeutic support, individual and group therapy, to children with severe developmental, behavioral, and mental health issues and their families. Carolyn is often found working directly with children in their classrooms or on the playground. Her playfulness and easy to implement interventions designed specifically to meet the needs of children enhance and enrich the lives of both children and families. 

Krissy Yanes-Delashmet has been supporting children and families of Collier County for over 20 years. Her expertise lies in guiding families through the medical, behavioral health, and school systems. Krissy’s passion is connecting and building relationships with families with unique needs and providing them individualized strategies to create stability in their lives. Offering compassion and empathy to families and children with unique needs such as Autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, mental health disorders, and other health impairments. As a graduate of Florida Gulf Coast University, with a bachelors in Elementary Education, she has dedicated her career to improving the lives of children and families in her community. 

Krissy’s experiences include developing and assisting with the delivery of behavioral health and social emotional curriculum programs, materials, and organizational services. She has worked collaboratively with hundreds of families, community partners, health care providers, and educators. Creating, promoting, and implementing curriculum and events to develop positive academic and behavioral outcomes for children and adults. Her career has transitioned from a classroom teacher to educating caregivers, school staff, and community stakeholders. Krissy still finds the time to work one on one with individual children and caregivers within her community. Developing curriculum, constructing training materials, and leading in-person and virtual presentations to ensure quality in training content is available and make a positive impact on children and families remains Krissy’s focus. Her intention is to break down complex behavioral health interventions into simple strategies parents and educators can actually use. If you see Krissy in the community, be sure to say hello, or hola ~ she speaks both English and Spanish!