Meet Our Team
meet our team
Laurie Stephens, Ph.D. PSY1852
She/Her/Hers
Dr. Laurie Stephens is a developmental psychologist who has been working with children, teens, and young adults on the autism spectrum for nearly 30 years. She currently serves as The Help Group’s Senior Director of Autism and LGBTQ+ Programs. Dr. Stephens previously served as the Director of Autism Spectrum Disorder Programs with The Help Group for 12 years. While working with her ASD clients, Dr. Stephens became extremely interested in the overlap between transgender and gender queer identifications and folks on the spectrum, as many of her clients began to share their authentic selves to her. Dr. Stephens oversees all of Kaleidoscope’s programming and events, and has been instrumental in establishing a specialized diagnostic clinic for LGBTQ+ children, teens, and young adults who may suspect they have an autism spectrum disorder.
Jay Baldwin
They/Them
Jay Baldwin (they/them) is currently serving as Kaleidoscope’s Program Director. Jay also works as the case manager for Kaleidoscope’s LGBTQ+ Tailored Services Program for DCFS Youth and Families. Jay and has been working with young people in the fields of education and social services for the past 9 years. Growing up as a queer kid with very few resources or community had a lasting impact on Jay, and ultimately led to their passion for serving youth in the LGBTQ+ community. Jay previously served as the co-director of a summer camp for LGBTQ+ teens, an experience which inspired them to further their education in youth development through a one-year program at Inward Bound Mindfulness Education, an organization that trains professionals to bring in depth mindfulness based, trauma informed curriculum to youth. Jay is so thrilled to be part of the Kaleidoscope team and to support the well-being, growth and happiness of LGBTQ+ young adults and their families.
Jess Furrer
She/Her
Jess Furrer is a bilingual psychology intern in the Kaleidosocope Program under supervision of Dr. Priscilla Barajas. She is working towards her Ph.D. in School Psychology. She provides therapy services for children, teens, families, parents, and young adults. Jess has lived experience as a member of the LGBTQ+ community and enjoys providing services to other queer and neurodivergent folx. Her approach to therapy is highly collaborative and creative. Jess is passionate about utilizing clients’ unique identities, strengths, and interests to build skills and reach their goals. She provides both virtual and in-office therapy services as well as services in Spanish.
meet our team
Laurie Stephens, Ph.D. PSY1852
She/Her/Hers
Dr. Laurie Stephens is a developmental psychologist who has been working with children, teens, and young adults on the autism spectrum for nearly 30 years. She currently serves as The Help Group’s Senior Director of Autism and LGBTQ+ Programs. Dr. Stephens previously served as the Director of Autism Spectrum Disorder Programs with The Help Group for 12 years. While working with her ASD clients, Dr. Stephens became extremely interested in the overlap between transgender and gender queer identifications and folks on the spectrum, as many of her clients began to share their authentic selves to her. Dr. Stephens oversees all of Kaleidoscope’s programming and events, and has been instrumental in establishing a specialized diagnostic clinic for LGBTQ+ children, teens, and young adults who may suspect they have an autism spectrum disorder.
Jay Baldwin
They/Them
Jay Baldwin (they/them) is currently serving as Kaleidoscope’s Program Director. Jay also works as the case manager for Kaleidoscope’s LGBTQ+ Tailored Services Program for DCFS Youth and Families. Jay and has been working with young people in the fields of education and social services for the past 7 years. Growing up as a queer kid with very few resources or community had a lasting impact on Jay, and ultimately led to their passion for serving youth in the LGBTQ+ community. Jay previously served as the co-director of a summer camp for LGBTQ+ teens, an experience which inspired them to further their education in youth development through a one-year program at Inward Bound Mindfulness Education, an organization that trains professionals to bring in depth mindfulness based, trauma informed curriculum to youth. Jay is so thrilled to be part of the Kaleidoscope team and to support the well-being, growth and happiness of LGBTQ+ young adults and their families.
Jess Furrer
She/Her
Jess Furrer is a bilingual psychology intern in the Kaleidosocope Program under supervision of Dr. Priscilla Barajas. She is working towards her Ph.D. in School Psychology. She provides therapy services for children, teens, families, parents, and young adults. Jess has lived experience as a member of the LGBTQ+ community and enjoys providing services to other queer and neurodivergent folx. Her approach to therapy is highly collaborative and creative. Jess is passionate about utilizing clients’ unique identities, strengths, and interests to build skills and reach their goals. She provides both virtual and in-office therapy services as well as services in Spanish.
ADVISORY BOARD, 2023
Luckie Alexander
Luckie as a passionate advocate and founder of Invisible Men, aa organization focused on uplifting and building community among trans men and nonbinary transmasculine folks centered on people of color. Luckie is an important connector across LGBTQI community groups and organizations and a steadfast advocate for transmasculine people and trans parents.
You may also know Luckie as:
- a member of Gender Justice Los Angeles and the Los Angeles County Transgender Advisory Council; AND
- a proud member & Historian of Brown Boi Project; AND
- an HIV Commissioner and a community advisory board member for UCLA’s Center for HIV Identification, Prevention, and Treatment Services ; AND
- a recipient of the Lou Sullivan Award for his work centered around transmasculine individuals in the HIV/AIDS arena; AND
- 2018 Mr. Quest, a community advocacy award with APAIT.
Luckie is a crucial voice in health education and organizing, trans justice, and the movement for black lives. In 2019, he was the Assistant Strategy Director for the historic 2019 National Trans Visibility March. In 2020, he was the designer of the “ALL BLACK LIVES MATTER” art installation on Hollywood Blvd.
Jen Gruskoff
Jen has worked in television for over 20 years as a writer. In 2016, Jen founded the Girls Soccer Network, as a hub for fans, players, and anyone who supports girl’s soccer across the globe. As the GSN Editor in Chief, Jen provides daily original content and curated stories across social media platforms. Jen and her wife Jeje are the proud parents of a non-binary college junior.
Caroline Menjivar
Caroline served in the United States Marine Corps for seven years where she held leadership roles in training military platoons. She holds an EMT License as well as a Masters of Social Welfare from UCLA. Caroline is now the East Valley Area Representative for Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s office.
Jessica Oami
Jessica is the proud parent of transgender daughter. She is also the Director of Transforming Families, a Los Angeles-based family support group creating a positive environment for children, adolescents, and their families to explore issues of gender identity.
Reverend Reyna Sills Montoya
Reyna is a Christian mystic and interfaith minister whose goal is to bring all faiths together in love and unity. She currently serves as a lay delegate at Founders Metropolitan Community Church Los Angeles.
ADVISORY BOARD, 2023
Luckie Alexander
Luckie as a passionate advocate and founder of Invisible Men, aa organization focused on uplifting and building community among trans men and nonbinary transmasculine folks centered on people of color. Luckie is an important connector across LGBTQI community groups and organizations and a steadfast advocate for transmasculine people and trans parents.
You may also know Luckie as:
- a member of Gender Justice Los Angeles and the Los Angeles County Transgender Advisory Council; AND
- a proud member & Historian of Brown Boi Project; AND
- an HIV Commissioner and a community advisory board member for UCLA’s Center for HIV Identification, Prevention, and Treatment Services ; AND
- a recipient of the Lou Sullivan Award for his work centered around transmasculine individuals in the HIV/AIDS arena; AND
- 2018 Mr. Quest, a community advocacy award with APAIT.
Luckie is a crucial voice in health education and organizing, trans justice, and the movement for black lives. In 2019, he was the Assistant Strategy Director for the historic 2019 National Trans Visibility March. In 2020, he was the designer of the “ALL BLACK LIVES MATTER” art installation on Hollywood Blvd.
Jen Gruskoff
Jen has worked in television for over 20 years as a writer. In 2016, Jen founded the Girls Soccer Network, as a hub for fans, players, and anyone who supports girl’s soccer across the globe. As the GSN Editor in Chief, Jen provides daily original content and curated stories across social media platforms. Jen and her wife Jeje are the proud parents of a non-binary college junior.
Caroline Menjivar
Caroline served in the United States Marine Corps for seven years where she held leadership roles in training military platoons. She holds an EMT License as well as a Masters of Social Welfare from UCLA. Caroline is now the East Valley Area Representative for Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti’s office
Jessica Oami
Jessica is the proud parent of transgender daughter. She is also the Director of Transforming Families, a Los Angeles-based family support group creating a positive environment for children, adolescents, and their families to explore issues of gender identity.
Reverend Reyna Sills Montoya
Reyna is a Christian mystic and interfaith minister whose goal is to bring all faiths together in love and unity. She currently serves as a lay delegate at Founders Metropolitan Community Church Los Angeles.