Karen Toto
Executive Director
Karen has a Masters degree in counseling psychology and is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist in California. She has over 18 years of successful leadership, administrative, case management, and direct service experience working with people with disabilities in a diverse range of service delivery environments. She has experience with providing residential and home support services to people with developmental disabilities, including work within licensed environments. Karen has excellent crises management experience both from a service delivery (operational) standpoint and a case management/quality assurance standpoint. She has considerable and longstanding experience serving individuals with significant behavioral and medical/dental challenges. Karen demonstrates a thorough knowledge of — and successful track record in — California’s developmental disabilities services system.
Her previous experience includes: Project Director, University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry (San Francisco, CA); Director, Crisis Response Project (Antioch, CA); Client Program Coordinator and Crisis Coordinator, Regional Center East Bay (Oakland, CA); as well as experience as a Psychiatric Social Worker (San Mateo, CA) and Clinical Interviewer (Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA). She also had a private therapy practice specializing in work with people with special needs and their family members.
Karen’s Professional Affiliations/Memberships:
- Board Member, Alameda County Developmental Disabilities Council
- Chairperson, Health Care Task Force Alameda County Developmental Disabilities Council
- Delta Sigma Epsilon, National Scholastic Honor Society
- California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists
Victoria Boccanfuso PsyD
Director of Behavioral Services
Dr. Boccanfuso is a native of Southern California where she completed her undergraduate degree in Psychology at Loyola Marymount University. She began working with children with Developmental Disabilities and their families and continued this work when she moved to Northern California to attend graduate school at John F. Kennedy University in Pleasant Hill. It was at JFKU where Dr. Boccanfuso obtained her Doctorate in Clinical Psychology. Her experience includes work with culturally diverse children, adults, families, and couples in both inpatient hospital and outpatient clinic settings. She is trained in behavioral techniques and clinical therapy modalities. Her interest in Developmental Disabilities and her belief in the importance of supportive caregivers and family have led her to Alegria.
Carla Hernstrom
Home Administrator
For nearly fifteen years, Carla has dedicated her focus on the field of Social Service. Her experience includes respite care, independent and supported living, vocational development, supported employment and recreational day programs in Illinois, NYC and the Bay Area. These opportunities have nurtured a philosophy that remains to this day: client centered. Her background in yoga and holistic arts have assisted in maintaining a very simple theme where helping others is at the core. Carla has found a sense of similarity in approach with Alegria Community Living and she is enthusiastic about serving people with Development Disabilities.
LaTonjya Worthen
Home Administrator
LaTonjya began her work in the Social Services field as a volunteer in high school providing free time for a single mother raising two sons with developmental disabilities. A graduate of CSU, Sacramento’s Department of Health & Human Services, she holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Science. In 2003 LaTonjya was certified as a Health Education Specialist (CHES). In 2002 LaTonjya became a certified mentor to teenage mothers. While in college LaTonjya worked as a Direct Care Specialist. After graduating LaTonjya returned to her birthplace, Cincinnati, Ohio and accepted a position as a Home Manager. Missing the sunshine, diversity and absolute amazing bodies of water LaTonjya returned to California and joined the Alegria team. LaTonjya is pleased and excited to be a part of an organization which realizes the importance of person-centered support for the “WHOLE” person.
Julie Tishler
Lead Staff
Julie is a native Californian who earned her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration at San Diego State University. She then began her career with the California Highway Patrol where she provided safety and service to the residents of California. Julie has over 7 years experience working with children and adults with developmental disabilities in both educational and residential settings and has extensive behavioral and crisis management experience. Julie was extremely excited about joining the Alegria team and looks forward to assisting those citizens from Agnews Developmental Center beginning their journey into a community full of growth and choice. Julie is passionate about providing these citizens with patience, and compassion.
Wes Horne
Office Manager
Wes Horne provides a variety of administrative support services for Alegria Community Living and is the Executive Assistant to Director Karen Toto. Wes grew up in Western Pennsylvania and attended Penn State University. After college Wes worked for eight years on Capitol Hill, and then worked for several years as a publications copyeditor. Wes brings an array of technical and administrative skills to the agency and is always available to answer questions. He has chosen to work for Alegria because of the agency’s person-centered values and progressive vision for delivering social services.
Meagan Ruyle
Receptionist
(Bio coming soon)
Direct Care Staff
