Meet The Team!!!
Our Parents for Parents team is comprised of a distinguished and versatile group of community leaders in Northeast Florida, whom are parents or siblings of children with autism. The team is lead by Alesia Walters, who sets the vision for the future of Parents for Parents. The team carries out the mission and vision of Parents for Parents while also being responsive to the needs of the autism families and community.
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Having a child with any disability can be a challenge. I know because I had a son with Autism. My son Joshua passed away in 2018 of a seizure, and I am for filling my promise and his journey to continue to help families of children with disabilities, so I created this nonprofit support group.
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I have worked with children with Autism, Angelman syndrome and other related disabilities for over 20 years. I am currently a teacher, teaching and nurturing the young minds of children. I am also a Graduate from Tallahassee Community College with Honors (Phi Theta Kappa) in Early Childhood Development, Education and Management.
Teaching children has always been and will continue to be my passion! I am a state-appointed Guardian Ad litem volunteer and Educational Surrogate for the Fourth Judicial System for foster children. This is where I assure that the children assigned to me are well-taken care of and all their educational needs are met. I have experience with children of all ages.
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I take great pride in working with children and providing an environment that will enrich their creativity and growth! I have 20+ years of experience with IEP's and other programs used to help children with disabilities. I fight for the rights of children!
Parents for Parents Founder Alesia Walters
Alesia Walters
Founder
Whitney Walters
Team Member
Whitney Walters is a published author, Japanese translator and CEO of Mystic Writing Services. Growing up with a brother who had Autism, she understands the needs of children with disabilities and how difficult it can be if they are restricted. Graduating from the University of North Florida with a degree in Marketing and Communications, Whitney is working towards expanding her professional writing career, translating Japanese for video game communities and is working towards a higher level certification in her translation degree.
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Along with all of this, she works with Parents for Parents, having a vision aligned with her mother, and pushing for the proper support for children. Whitney considers herself a fun-loving and kind-hearted individual and spends her free time playing video games and going on nature walks with her dogs.
Derda N. Jackson
Team Member
Registered Mental Health Counselor Intern (RMHCI)
Resides in Jacksonville, Florida
Dedra began her work experience with child welfare in 2003 relocating from Asheville, NC as an Child Welfare Protective Investigator. Due to privatization Dedra joined Daniel and became a Certified Family Services Counselor and within three years was promoted to Senior Family Services Counselor. As a Senior Family Services Counselor Dedra served high risk teens ages 13-17 placing emphasis on preparing young adults with becoming independent.
In 2007 Dedra became the Independent Living Supervisor managing a unit focused on meeting state and legislative requirements for teens in foster care. In 2010 Dedra transitioned to working with Family Support Services as Independent Living Specialist, Interim Program Director in Nassau County, and Independent Living Supervisor. Dedra ensured program procedures and processes were in accordance to FL statues and legislatives guidelines. After Dedra's tenure with Family Support Services she re-joined the mission of "Improving the Odds for Kids" with Daniel as a Family Service Counselor Supervisor.
During Dedra’s latter years of case management she earned her Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling and is now working towards licensure while being a full-time therapist with children in Daniel's Statewide Inpatient Psychiatric Program.
