OUR TEAM

Dr. Mari MacFarland is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst-Doctoral, with a Ph.D. in Special Education focusing on Autism and other Developmental Disabilities.

Throughout her career as a professional educator, Dr. MacFarland has served Metro-Detroit and Mid-Michigan as a public school Administrator, Curriculum Coach, Special Education Teacher Consultant, General Education Teacher of Secondary English, Humanities, and Coordinator of the Special Education Program at Saginaw Valley State University.

Madeline Acosta holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Michigan and a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from Wayne State University. She also completed graduate coursework in Teaching with a focus on Special Education.

With over 20 years of experience serving learners of all abilities across Metro Detroit, Madeline has worked as a Special Education Teacher, Community Liaison, Program Manager, and Case Manager in both school and community settings. In 2020, her dedication to youth and education led to her election to the Livonia Public School's Board of Education. Madeline is a Registered Behavior Technician and BCBA candidate currently pursuing a Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis at Purdue Global.

“I am excited to broaden my scope of service through the 26 & Beyond program and look forward to helping learners build the skills they need for lifelong success.”

Deb holds a degree in Chemical Engineering from Michigan Technological University. Upon the arrival of her son, she took a break from her work at a contract engineering firm and its associated required travel.

But eventually she was looking for a way to use her organizational skills to contribute in a meaningful way. Working with PARClife Foundation as a billing specialist has been a rewarding opportunity to support the development of their new 26 & Beyond program.

She has also volunteered for the partnership between PARClife Foundation and the Miracle League of Plymouth to provide supervision to the neurodiverse learners who get job training as they work both the PARClife Foundation Hot Dog Cart as well as the Miracle League concession stand.

Rita Douglas, MT-BC, is a board-certified music therapist who completed a Second Bachelor's Degree at Eastern Michigan University. A lifelong musician playing guitar, piano, and hammered dulcimer, Rita combines her love and passion for helping others while working in the physical rehabilitation field with new therapeutic skills acquired studying music therapy. Rita completed clinical training at DMC's Children's Hospital of Michigan and interned at Building Bridges Pediatric Therapy Center. She advocates for people with autism through grassroots efforts to promote inclusion and access to therapies through legislation. Rita practices a humanistic philosophy of care, incorporating the family and other natural support systems.