LifeNet Staff
LifeNet – About Us
Jay O’Brien, MPA
LifeNet Program Director
(617) 393-3824, ext. 260
[email protected]
Jay oversees the design, development, and sustainability of the LifeNet program, and is responsible for operations, human resources, marketing, technology, legal, budgeting/finance, and quality assurance. Before leading LifeNet, Jay was co-founder and director of a nonprofit information provider for families of individuals with autism and other developmental differences. Jay received an MPA from Harvard Kennedy School, where he was a Harvard Alumni Public Service Fellow and a BA from Holy Cross College.
Melissa Regan, MS, OTR/L
LifeNet Associate Program Director
(617) 393-3824, ext. 250
[email protected]
Melissa is LifeNet’s inaugural Clinical Case Manager/Personal Advocate. As a licensed occupational therapist, Melissa has clinical experience supporting independence for adults who face a variety of physical, cognitive, medical, and environmental barriers. Since 2012, Melissa has worked with Autistic adults across areas of everyday life in their homes, in their communities, and as a manager to residential support staff. Before joining the LifeNet team, Melissa did clinical fieldwork at, and then per diem OTR/L support for, the top-ranked Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital network. She earned a BA with honors in sociology from the University of Notre Dame, and an MS with honors in occupational therapy from Boston University.
Megan Winderbaum, LICSW
LifeNet Senior Clinical Supervisor
(617) 393-3824
[email protected]
Megan is a licensed independent clinical social worker with experience supervising clinicians and staff working in group homes and community outreach, working in a large outpatient practice, and providing support and counseling to university students and their families. Megan earned a BA in political science with a minor in studio art from Virginia Wesleyan College, an MA in political science with a concentration in public policy and an MSW from Boston University. In her free time, Megan enjoys traveling to zoos and aquariums across the country, building Lego, and riding her motorcycle.
Sam Bromfield, LICSW
LifeNet Clinical Supervisor
(617) 393-3824, ext. 278
[email protected]
Sam has been working with youth and adults since 2008, starting in residential treatment before moving on to schools and home-based care. Through this work, Sam developed a passion for working with at-risk youth and families, with a concentration on Autistic students. Sam continued working with students and families in New York City public schools starting in 2013 after completing his MSW at Columbia University. Sam has a passion for supporting the growth of staff members, and he credits his experience in residential treatment for giving him a strong clinical foundation for his current and future work. In his free time, Sam enjoys going on hikes with his dog, playing basketball, caring for houseplants, and learning new music on the piano.
Clinical Case Managers/Personal Advocates
Clinical professionals who coordinate the intake process, perform regular check-ins, and oversee the writing, implementation, and periodic reviews of individualized LifeNet Support Plans for each LifeNet Adult in their respective groups.
Melissa Regan, MS, OTR/L
LifeNet Associate Program Director, Clinical Case Manager/ Personal Advocate
(617) 393-3824, ext. 250
[email protected]
Melissa is LifeNet’s inaugural Clinical Case Manager/Personal Advocate for Massachusetts. As a licensed occupational therapist, Melissa has clinical experience supporting independence for adults who face a variety of physical, cognitive, medical, and environmental barriers. Since 2012, Melissa has worked with adults on the autism spectrum across areas of everyday life in their homes, in their communities, and as a manager to residential support staff. Before joining the LifeNet team, Melissa did clinical fieldwork at, and then per diem OTR/L support for, the top-ranked Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital network. She earned a BA with honors in sociology from the University of Notre Dame, and an MS with honors in occupational therapy from Boston University.
Catie Ryan, MS, OTR/L
LifeNet Clinical Case Manager/ Personal Advocate
(617) 393-3824, ext. 268
[email protected]
Catie is a licensed occupational therapist who most recently served as an OT supervisor for a respected Massachusetts-based multi-service provider, winning multiple organizational awards for “going above and beyond.” Catie did clinical fieldwork at the Kennedy Krieger Institute’s Center for Autism and Related Disorders (CARD) and is a Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) fellow. She earned a BA with honors in human development/family studies and psychology from the University of Connecticut, and an MS in occupational therapy from Boston University.
Prafulla Patil, MS, OTR/L
LifeNet Clinical Case Manager/ Personal Advocate
(617) 393-3824, ext. 276
[email protected]
Prafulla brings a caring attitude along with his twelve years of experience as a licensed occupational therapy professional. Since completing his master’s degree in occupational therapy from Tufts University, he has worked extensively with adults with various cognitive, neurological, orthopedic, and psychiatric conditions in Massachusetts. He has served as a rehabilitation department director at a skilled nursing facility in Greater Boston and as a staff occupational therapist for several more. Previously, he worked at a multidisciplinary child development clinic in Mumbai, India for children with autism, ADHD, LD, and other developmental differences, and served as vice principal for a school for Autistic students there. In his free time, Prafulla enjoys watching offbeat films and reading classics, although since having his first daughter Ayana in June 2020, he considers being a dad as his favorite occupation.
Natalie Brelsford, OTD, OTR/L
LifeNet Clinical Case Manager/ Personal Advocate
(617) 393-3824, ext. 609
[email protected]
Natalie earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Kinesiology from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo and graduated from Boston University with her Doctorate of Occupational Therapy. Natalie gained experience working with AANE clients while she was in graduate school for her occupation based practice, group leadership, and capstone project experience. In her free time, Natalie enjoys going on outdoor adventures with her dog and spending time with family. She is also a big Star Wars, Marvel, and Taylor Swift fan.
Yezmin Alamanza, LMHC
LifeNet Clinical Case Manager/ Personal Advocate
(617) 393-3824, ext. 292
[email protected]
Yezmin was born and raised in Mexico and she moved to the US to complete her BA in psychology and an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Yezmin has clinical experience working with adults, couples, and families in outpatient as well as residential programs. In 2018, Yezmin completed AANE’s Intensive Autism Coach Training (IACT). Since then, with a comprehensive whole-person approach, she has worked to help Autistic adults on the path toward independence. In her free time, Yezmin loves traveling, skiing, and immersing herself in artistic endeavors.
Support Partners
Direct support professionals who specialize in in-home or community-based support visits with LifeNet adults, providing direct care and accompaniment in the life skill areas prioritized in each adult’s LifeNet Support Plan. Support Partners work closely with LifeNet Clinical Case Managers/Personal Advocates to monitor each adult’s overall health, safety, and well-being.
Betsy DeLorenzo
LifeNet Support Partner
(617) 393-3824, ext. 266
[email protected]
Betsy is LifeNet’s inaugural Support Partner. Betsy has more than 20 years of professional experience supporting people with autism and other developmental differences in school, work, community, and home-based settings. Betsy also serves as a live-in caregiver to an adult brother on the spectrum, with whom she volunteers regularly at a respected local cat shelter. In her spare time, she is pursuing a degree in animal-assisted therapy.
Brendan Stock
LifeNet Support Partner
(617) 393-3824, ext. 280
[email protected]
Brendan has been working in the field of special education and adult services in Massachusetts for the past six years. He has served in multiple roles during that time, including a personal care attendant (PCA), paraprofessional, classroom instructor, job coach, ABA behavioral technician, and vocational case manager. When he isn’t working, Brendan is pursuing a degree in human services and also enjoys playing golf and watching sports.
Julie L’Heureux
LifeNet Support Partner
(617) 393-3824, ext. 298
[email protected]
Julie has professional experience supporting adults with developmental differences in residential and community-based programs. She is trained in dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) and served as a program manager, group facilitator, and housing coordinator for a provider agency in southeastern Massachusetts. Julie earned a BS in psychology from Bridgewater State College, and in her spare time is a nature photographer who volunteers with several local conservation groups. She enjoys kayaking, hiking with her dog, spending time in nature, and creating art.
Bob Waters
LifeNet Client Support/Admin Coordinator
(617) 393-3824, ext. 282
[email protected]
Bob is an Autistic advocate and a longtime volunteer at AANE and other New England-area organizations that support Neurodivergent people, he has a deep commitment to ensuring that Neurodivergent people have access to professional, academic, and personal lives that are fulfilling, healthy, and secure. To this end, he has worked at the NextStep college living preparedness program run by the Judge Baker Children’s Center and has helped facilitate several educational workshops through AANE. He earned his BA with honors in history and theater from Clark University. In his free time, Bob loves to sing, write, attend live theater, take piano lessons, and watch documentaries.
Allie Everest
LifeNet Support Partner
(617) 393-3824, ext. 216
[email protected]
Allie is a neurodiverse teacher, artist, explorer, and thinker. She believes passionately in creating and nurturing communities where Autistic people can be their authentic selves. In addition to being a Support Partner for LifeNet, she is also an AANE Social Group Facilitator for the Crafting Group. In her spare time, she is a great lover of nature and enjoys many forms of art creation including ice tie dye, calligraphy, and sewing clothing. Allie earned her Masters of Education from Boston University Wheelock School of Education.
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