Our Team includes Administrative and Leadership staff, and 40 Intervention therapists
Administrative Team
Colleen Sisk, BCBA®, Owner / Executive Director
Welcome to Syringa, my second home! I have proudly been the Owner and Director of Syringa Family Partnership LLC since 2008 but I have been working in the field of developmental disabilities in North Idaho for 20 years. I was born and raised in Montana and Alaska where I received my Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. I then moved to Idaho with my husband Al in 2002. I began doing Intensive Behavior Intervention where I started a life-long career advocating for and working with individuals with developmental disabilities. My daughter Caroline was born in 2008 at the same time I opened Syringa. She is a joy! We love to vacation, go camping and be outdoors in beautiful North Idaho.
I wanted to pursue a higher education to better support my employees and increase our quality of therapy, so I obtained my Master’s degree in Special Education from Ball State University with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis and Autism from Ball State University in 2017. I completed my supervision requirements and am now a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. I have been an active member in the Idaho Association of Community Providers for the past 20 years and was a member of the Idaho Council on Developmental Disabilities for a 10 year lifetime term. It is my lifelong goal to continue to advocate for others and teach them the power of advocating for themselves.
Kynda Hass, BCBA® / Clinical Director
I have proudly been working at Syringa since 2010. In my role as a Clinical Supervisor, I get to enjoy so many different aspects of working with children and their families. It is so fulfilling to be able to provide direct therapy in addition to providing assessments and creating individualized treatment plans. I also work hard to ensure our staff maintain our high standards of service for each of our clients. I love to implement evidence-based practices and make therapy fun and engaging. The best part of my job is seeing kids learn such essential skills and gain independence in so many skill areas, as well as being able to be a resource to all our families and staff members.
I grew up in Colorado and moved to Washington for my undergraduate program. I graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Whitworth University, and moved on to get my Master's in Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State University, with a certificate in Autism.
When I'm not working, I enjoy spending time with my own boys, reading a good book, and working on projects with my husband.
Kathleen Howard, BCBA® / Clinical Director
I’m Kathleen and I have worked at Syringa since March 2015. I was born and raised in upstate New York. In 2011, I received my Bachelor's Degree in Childhood Education from the University of New York at Oswego. During my student teaching experience, I was placed in a 5th grade inclusion classroom. There, I discovered my passion for working with children with developmental disabilities. After graduation, I was a nanny, which brought me to Idaho in 2014.
I received a Master’s Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis with an Emphasis in Autism at Ball State University in December 2018 and with that I have been able to perform assessments, such as the VB-MAPP, with our clients. I enjoy using these assessments to ensure our clients have plans tailored specifically for their needs. Syringa has also provided me the opportunity to be formally trained in Picture Exchange Communication (PECS) and I love being able to help children find their voice!
When I’m not at Syringa, I spend my time with my husband, our three children, and our dogs. We enjoy spending time outdoors and traveling. Fitness is an important aspect of our lives and we love to complete Spartan races as a family.
Lana Stroud, Human Resource Director / Billing Specialist
I have proudly been working at Syringa since August of 2009 - and still loving what I do. I am the Human Resource Director and I run our Inspired Child Preschool in Post Falls. I am also an active member in the Idaho Association of Community Providers. The best part of my job is seeing our staff and kids on a daily basis. I love the work we do here at Syringa and it makes my job rewarding, seeing the daily successes!
I grew up in Montana and Alaska. I graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Social Work from the University of Alaska Anchorage, and moved to San Diego, California right after to join my husband and high school sweetheart who proudly served in the United States Marine Corps. When I'm not working, I enjoy spending time with my husband, our two children and our two dogs.
Dorothy Williams, Administrative Assistant - Hayden/Post Falls
I was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada, our little family of 3 moved to Portland, Oregon in 2007 and grew to 5, then we landed here in Coeur d'Alene in 2013! I have been working at Syringa since 2016 and provide administrative support for the company including our wonderful team of Clinical Supervisors and therapists. I love being able to support such a dedicated, hardworking group of people and seeing children thrive.
After my two youngest children started receiving services the amount of progress that was made amazed me and I wanted to learn more. After diving into the special needs community and educating myself about services, I realized my passion is working with families to connect them to community supports and develop relationships with their schools and providers in the community. I have gone to several trainings through Idaho Parents Unlimited and attended their Parent Leadership Development program in 2018 to further develop my advocacy knowledge and skills. It makes me proud to work for such a dedicated company like Syringa and love being able to support our hardworking staff so they can continue providing quality therapy to the kids and families in our community.
Kay Dowers, Scheduling Coordinator - Hayden
I have been joyfully working at Syringa since the beginning of 2020. I grew up in Spokane, WA where I graduated from Whitworth University with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 2019. During a study abroad program in Tanzania teaching kids English, I decided that I wanted to work with children and help them find their voice. Shortly afterwards, I moved to Idaho and began working at Syringa as an Intervention Specialist.
While still providing therapy, I wanted to learn more about the business side of Syringa and pursued the role of Scheduling Coordinator. Within this role Syringa has provided me the opportunity to work closely with all our therapist and the families we provide services to. I love waking up and coming to work every day, knowing Syringa is making a difference for the children in our community!
When I’m not working, you’d find me spending time with my husband and our two labs watching a good movie or playing card games.
“We all have different gifts, so we all have different ways of telling the world who we are.”
—- Fred Rogers
Leadership Team
Tanya Currie, BCBA® / Lead Clinical Supervisor - Bonners Ferry
Hello, my name is Tanya. I have been employed at the Bonners Ferry branch of Syringa Family Partnership, LLC since 2010. As my lifetime home, Bonners Ferry and its surrounding area holds a special place in my heart. My introduction to the services Syringa provids to its families and our community was my driving force in seeking further education and becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA). I graduated with my Bachelor's degree in Communication Disorders from Utah University in 2019 and my Master's degree in Applied Behavior Analysis in 2023.
My years of working at Syringa has given me the privilege of seeing the great love between the children and the families that we serve. I’ve had the joy of witnessing small accomplishments lead to great achievements in the children and young adults' lives. I look forward to remaining as a support to the children and their families as they work towards their goals.
I love spending time with family and friends. As empty nesters, my husband and I enjoy taking walks and hikes, kayaking, camping, and watching our favorite shows. Most of all, we love spending time with our daughter, son, daughter-in-law, and grandsons whenever possible. During my personal time, I make paper crafts, sew, and study topics of interest.
Kim Taylor, Clinical Supervisor / Intervention Specialist / Post Falls Inspired Child Preschool Teacher - Hayden/Post Falls
I was born and raised in Coeur d' Alene, ID and attended Boise State University for my Bachelors degree in Early Childhood Education. I completed three different practicums including the Infant Toddler Program, a developmental preschool classroom, and a first grade general education classroom. My husband and I then moved to North Dakota for two and a half years while he completed his Doctorate of Physical Therapy.
I was lucky enough to begin my journey with Syringa the summer of 2010 while home from college, again in the summer of 2014 while home from North Dakota, and finally when I knew my husband and I would be returning home permanently I returned and have been back since January of 2016! I had always known I would want to return to this amazing workplace and make a difference in the lives of our clients and their families.
I am very passionate about Early Intervention and Childhood Development. In addition to being a certified Birth to 18 Intervention Specialist, I am also our Post Falls Inspired Child Preschool teacher. I love that I get to incorporate my Syringa knowledge with our preschoolers, as well as have the opportunity for our age appropriate Syringa clients to make connections with their typically developing peers, and vice versa.
When I'm not working, I enjoy spending time with my family and friends. My husband and I welcomed our first born son in February 2019. We also enjoy horseback riding, fishing, hiking, and camping with our dogs.
Jesse Parks, BCBA® - Hayden/Post Falls
Being an army brat, I’ve lived everywhere from Hawaii to South Carolina. I’m most recently from western Washington, where I served in the Army National Guard and attended Central Washington University. After completing a Bachelor’s in Psychology, I accepted a position as a Registered Behavior Technician. I quickly fell in love with the science of behavior, so I pursued a Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis and Board Certification as a Behavior Analyst. With a desire to start a new chapter, I relocated to Idaho and found my home here at Syringa. I’m both humbled and energized by the various hats I wear, from working one on one with clients to teaching students pursuing board certification. Seeing growth from both staff and clients alike has been so rewarding!
Rick Justus, BCBA® - Bonners Ferry
I’m Rick Justus, and I’ve lived in the Inland PNW for over 20 years. I began my career providing direct learning and behavior supports to individuals with autism in community and home-based settings in the late 1980’s. I quickly developed a passion to promote positively based supports to those who had historically been treated with little respect or capacity to learn, live and contribute to society. This led me to seek further education, completing a Master’s degree in Special Education at the University of Utah, where I taught in the public education system in Salt Lake City. I went on to provide individualized Applied Behavior Analysis supports in rural Northern California, Northern Idaho and Eastern Washington.
Upon becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, I went on to specialize in developing functional assessments, providing parent and professional training, and implementing person-centered learning and behavior improvement strategies for individuals considered disabled. For the last 11+ years, I served as Program Director for two large ABA clinics in Eastern Washington. I’m excited to use this knowledge and experience to serve Northern Idaho’s more rural communities, who have historically had less access to therapeutic services.
During my free time, I love to spend time with my children and grandchildren and explore in the great outdoors. I garden, woodwork, fish, bike, kayak, RV, and simply revel in the beauty that is Northern Idaho.
Casey Hubbard, BCBA® - Hayden/Post Falls
Heyo! My name is Casey Hubbard. My drive to help children and adults become the best versions of themselves is the reason why I'm here! I obtained my Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education from the University of Idaho and my Master's Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis through Ball State University. I absolutely love applying all of my old and new learnings to what I was called to do in this life.
Following my passion, I found myself at Syringa's front door in June 2019 as an Intervention Specialist. Within a few short weeks, I was trusted with the role of Clinical Supervisor in August 2019. In October 2023, I received my Board Certified Behavior Analyst certification and am now a BCBA®. Within this role I have been able to apply my foreknowledge from my background in education and use it as an asset when providing support to all I serve. I notice that even when I am not at the office, I am always working. They say when you love what you do, you are never working and this sentiment resonates with me!
When I am not working at Syringa, I enjoy spending time with my daughter Ember. Ember is a spunky goober who keeps me on my toes! I love to spend time exploring the world with her and watching her learn.
Sam Heinz, BCBA® - Hayden/Post Falls
Hey! I'm Sam, I was born and raised in central Washington and attended Eastern Washington University for my undergraduate degree in Psychology. After a little push from a classmate into a new job in behavior analysis, I found myself working with kids and it was there that I fell in love with working with children in the early intervention setting. I accepted a position as a Registered Behavior Technician and quickly decided to further my education in Behavior Analysis. Shortly after that, I moved to Idaho and joined the team here at Syringa where I completed my Master's Degree in Applied Behavior Analysis in 2023 and became Board Certified. I absolutely adore watching clients find themselves through therapy and learn how to express themselves as they find their independence. Seeing clients learn and grow throughout their time in therapy is so rewarding and I look forward to seeing how they interact with others.
While I am not working I enjoy being outdoors, reading a good book, or spending time with my friends and family.
Jocelyn Casper, BCBA® - Hayden/Post Falls
My name is Jocelyn and I was born and raised in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. I received my Bachelor's in Elementary Education at Point Loma Nazarene University where I ran track and cross country for 4.5 years. As much as I loved beautiful San Diego, I missed this place too much! In 2019 I moved back home and began substitute teaching and working as an RBT, which led me to pursue my Master's in Applied Behavior Analysis. Although I am new to the Syringa family, I have worked in this field for nearly 5 years and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in November of 2022. I have always had a passion for working with children and have learned so much throughout my education and experience in this field of work. I absolutely love watching them grow, learn, and develop new skills over time.
When I am not at Syringa, I enjoy spending time with my husband and dog. We love doing anything outdoors but also enjoy relaxing nights at home playing board games or watching the office!
Cindy McManus, Crisis Prevention Intervention Trainer
