Texas Autism Academy Board of Directors Welcomes Dr. Montisha Hines-Goosby LMSW

MAGNOLIA, TX -- The Texas Autism Academy is pleased to welcome Dr. Montisha Hines-Goosby LMSW to the TAA Board of Directors. Currently the Director of lifePATH at Lone Star College Montgomery, Hines-Goosby brings over 25 years of experience serving the citizens of Texans. The lifePATH program works with neurodiverse students by focusing on academic skills, providing career exploration, and increasing social skills. She is most passionate about advancing and improving the post-secondary outcomes of students with disabilities.

Cary Mollinedo, Co-Founder and President of TAA said, “We are very excited to have Dr. Hines-Goosby on our board, and we look forward working with her and lifePATH to see what we can offer our children to excel in life after TAA. A significant missing component of the family of private schools has been one serving those students on the autism spectrum – TAA is filling that gap and we envision being able to offer more.”

Mollinedo continued, “Autism afflicts an ever-growing number of 1 in 38 children. Scientifically developed and proven Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) tools and technology may be used by a private school to develop tailormade programs for each individual student, but the Texas Education Agency currently does not allow their use in either public or charter schools. TAA does so successfully on an ongoing basis.”

Hines-Goosby is a Licensed Master Social Worker, earning a Bachelor of Psychology and a Master of Social Work from the University of Houston. She recently completed her Doctoral Degree in Higher Education Leadership from Sam Houston State University.

She began her career at the University of Houston and after completing graduate school, worked for The Department of State Health Services with Medicaid waiver programs for Medically Fragile children. She joined the legacy agency, the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) in 2005 as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor.

After only a few months on the job, she began working with the School Transition Program. She progressed from DARS to the Texas Workforce Commission as the regional transition specialist for the Greater Houston area (Texas Gulf Coast). She worked collaboratively with several organizations, agencies, and school districts to develop and create pre-employment transition programs.
This work ultimately led to her current role as lifepath Director at Lone Star College Montgomery. Hines-Goosby is working to model and expand the lifePATH program initially developed at the Tomball campus.

About Texas Autism Academy
Texas Autism Academy (TAA), a 501-C3 tuition funded, fully accredited private school located in Magnolia area now in its seventh year of successful operation serving children medically diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum. TAA recently moved to their new location at 32605 Tamina Road, Magnolia TX which offers an expanded area of student coverage outside of The Woodlands. TAA is fully accredited and is making significant progress in both the education level and overall quality of life for our 38 students.

Our COGNIA accreditation allows TAA to continue our student’s education through 12th grade as well as connecting us with resources beyond graduation. Accreditation by COGNIA is a multi-year process that only a few schools have achieved. It means continuous improvement and standards that must be reviewed and updated every five years. Although costly, this is a true benefit to the students, as our students can now graduate with a credentialed high school diploma.

Additional current board members include Dr. Pat Schwartz (Co-Chair) LSC Montgomery Nursing Faculty Member specialized in Child Neurodiverse Conditions; Linda Freede (Co-chair) Retired LJF Marketing business owner and community leader; Monique Sharp (Treasurer) President/CEO The Woodlands Township; Dr, Shelinta Perez (Secretary) TAA Co-Founder and Director of Curriculum and Staff Development; Cary Mollinedo, TAA Co-Founder and President of TAA Business Operations; Shelley Burke, Local Business Owner, Real Estate developer and TAA student mother; Steve Leakey, Founding Chair, retired IT Services executive, Active Community Volunteer; and Annett Allen, TAA BCBA Coordinator..

For more information about Texas Autism Academy, please contact 281-771-5348 or visit the web site at TexasAutismAcademy.org