PLANCTX is pleased to continue receiving grants from EHF!
PLANCTX
PLANCTX is now receiving its 2nd year of an Episcopal Health Foundation (EHF) grant. EHF allows PLANCTX to serve many clients and families who otherwise would not be able to pay for badly needed behavioral health services. EHF is a lifesaver! THANK YOU EHF!
Leo de la Garza LMSW-AP
President Emeritus
Leo de la Garza, LMSW-AP: Mr. de la Garza is the Director of Special Mental Health Projects at Bluebonnet Mental Health and Mental Retardation Center. He has 34 years of experience in the mental health field, both with inpatient and outpatient services. His areas of expertise are in crisis intervention and recovery services.
Liz Shelby, Ph.D.
Board Member 2019
Dr. Shelby has served as the PLAN Care Management Coordinator and grant writer. She has a doctorate degree in Special Education Administration from the University of Texas at Austin. Dr. Shelby has over 40 years of experience in coordinating programs and services for people with disabilities. She retired from the Central Office of the Texas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation (currently the Department of Aging and Disability Services) as a Program Specialist in 2002. Dr. Shelby was involved in the initial establishment of the Texas Interagency Council on Early Childhood Intervention (now, Early Childhood Intervention) and served on the Board. She managed the implementation of the In-Home and Family Support Program for individuals with intellectual disabilities or mental health issues. She provided statewide training on permanency planning for children with disabilities living in institutions. Dr. Shelby managed the federally-funded Texas Family Support Initiative through the Center for Disability Studies affiliated with the University of Texas at Austin and wrote grants for non-profits. Dr Shelby was the Chairperson of the Planning Network Advisory Committee for Austin Travis County Integral Care for 3 years and served as the Vice-Chair.
Beverly Caputo
Vice President
I am honored to have the opportunity to serve PLANCTX in the capacity of Vice President following a few years serving as Secretary. I look forward to meeting you and your family in the near future at any of our monthly PLANCTX Family Dinners or monthly board meetings. Until then, some background information about me. Early in my career I worked as an assistant/secretary for several physicians in various medical specialties. Later on, I provided secretarial support for five faculty members at Virginia Tech’s College of Veterinary Medicine in Leesburg, Virginia. My family relocated to Texas in 1991. For the past 13 years, I have been employed by a solo large animal veterinarian, first as a vet technician and presently provide administrative support by managing the office and clinic in Briggs, Texas. My joy in life comes from caring for, riding and camping out with my horse, Itchie. I spend my time working, taking care of my family, cooking, reading, playing Scrabble and trying to teach my boxer puppy not to play rough with chickens.
Mary B. Adams
Board Member 2018
I am so proud to be a part of the PLANCTX Board and am looking forward to working with my fellow Board members, staff and clients.
I am the mother of 2 grown daughters and have been married for 46 years to my husband, John. I have recently retired from Austin Independent School District after 32 years of service in Purchasing and Athletics. Prior to working in AISD, I was the manager of a mini storage company and worked for an insurance company. The common thread in all of my jobs has been public service. It has always been important to me to be “user friendly” with my clients, co-workers and the public.
In my private life, I have always been a volunteer. I was PTA president for 2 years at my daughters’ elementary school and served as PTA secretary at the elementary and high school level. I have volunteered with CASA of Travis County and NAMI Austin and with several other school and work related activities.
I first heard about PLANCTX through NAMI when I took the Family to Family course and was very interested in the work being done to help the families and individuals facing mental health challenges as is my family. One of my goals after retirement was to start giving back to my community and PLANCTX is my first step. I am so appreciative for this opportunity.
Tanya Birks
Board Member
Tanya Birks currently works as the Director of Community Development and Revitalization at GrantWorks, Inc. in Austin, Texas. Though new to the Austin area, Tanya is a native of Texas, born in Houston, and but has primarily lived in Dallas-Fort Worth. She studied Business Administration at the University of North Texas, earning a Bachelor’s Degree and studied Management at the University of Texas (at Dallas), earning a Master’s Degree. Tanya is an affordable housing finance professional with a specialization in multifamily asset management, real estate financial modeling, development finance, pro forma analysis, investor underwriting, cost estimating, and analysis of affordable housing resources. Additionally, she has extensive experience working as a senior financial analyst and financial investigator for the federal government over the span of 8 years.
Jeff Gerber, M.S.
Board Member 2018
Jeff taught high school and graduate-level science courses early in his career. Afterwards, he worked for government agencies and consulting firms as a project manager in the areas of environment and utilities. He has conducted numerous public meetings and client presentations, and has managed projects; maintaining budgets, managing workloads, and producing a large number of plans and documents.
The diagnosis of a family member with schizophrenia gave Jeff a personal awareness of mental illness. He became an instructor of Family-to-Family classes for the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI), and has spoken to NAMI Peer groups about his experience. Jeff also participates in voluntary service to the community as a museum teacher and as a meals deliverer. He brings his passion for education, planning and service delivery to PLANCTX with great hopes for the benefit of its clients.