Autistic Community Activity Program, Inc. (ACAP)
(Formerly Autistic Children’s Activity Program)
Mailing Address: Office Location: (map)
P.O. Box 4606 1900 S.E. Milport Road (at McBrod)
Portland, OR 97208 Milwaukie, OR 97222
PHONE: 503.649.2066
FAX: 503.908.0613
EMAIL: info@acapportland.org
2013 ACAP Employee Application
Board of Directors
John Horton, Chairman of the Board - Currently a Field Deployment Manager for Best Buy, John brings his expertise in technology, management, computer skills and business ownership to the ACAP Board. He and his wife, Lori, operate a business, ‘Red Headphones for Autism’ and John writes a blog, “Autistically Correct.” John and Lori’s son, Derek, has attended ACAP’s summer program since he was a young boy. John is now pleased to take his extended involvement and commitment to ACAP to the next level.
Andres Caputo, Secretary- Andres began working for ACAP at age 17 as a Teacher’s Assistant. After four summers as an assistant and earning his teacher’s certificate in 2002, Andres became an ACAP teacher and has been teaching every summer since. He credits the ACAP program as having been a great influence over his career choices. Andres currently works as a teacher with the McMinnville School District’s community-based Post-High School Life Skills Transition Program, which he helped pilot in the 2010-2011 school year. He appreciates working with each student as they transition from high school to being active participants and contributing members of their community.
Lisa Bach - Lisa began her association with ACAP as a classroom teacher for the Summer Program, returning to this position for several summers. Bringing an extensive background in working with special needs children, Lisa has a Master’s Degree in Education with specialties in deafness, learning disabilities, autism, and behavior difficulties. She has worked as a Director for a program serving deaf children, a daycare provider for special needs children, a sign language interpreter, a respite provider, and a teacher. Currently, Lisa works in the North Clackamas School district with primary-aged children who have behavior difficulties. Lisa refers to this as “the world’s best job.” Lisa is the adoptive parent of three now-grown daughters, two of whom have ASD. She is also a foster parent to two delightful young children.
Patti Carlson – Patti began with ACAP in 2008, as a summer program teacher. She loved every minute and has returned each summer since. She describes working with students during the Summer Program as the highlight of her whole year. Patti joined the board because she believes that attending ACAP makes a big difference for each individual student. She is always looking for new ideas to improve and enhance the summer program. During the school year, Patti teaches mainstream 2nd grade in the Hillsboro school district. Inspired by her experiences with ACAP, she is currently pursuing her Master’s Degree in Special Education.
David Kloucek – David began with ACAP in 2008 as a teacher’s assistant for two summers. In 2010, David graduated from the University of Portland with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Education and a teaching endorsement in Elementary/Middle School and Basic Math. This same year, he began as an ACAP teacher, continuing his work with older clients. David’s input is vital in further developing and refining the ACAP adult program.
Karin Louise Farr - Karin’s connection to the autism community is through and for her niece who has ASD. As a board member, she supports ACAP’s Mission Statement and appreciates the passions of those involved with our program. Karin attended Portland State University and University of Oregon as an Art History major. She’s completed multiple courses and earned many certifications in the computer field. She has taken courses in development for challenged children. Karin believes in helping individuals grow to realize their own full potentials.
Marci Hammel - Marci first became involved with ACAP in 1989, as a classroom teacher. She loved the program, joining the Board of Directors in 1994. Marci has been the Program Director of the Summer Program since 1995. Marci began her career as a classroom teacher for students with sensory impairments. She went on to become an Autism Specialist in 1994, work which she continues to this day. Marci has experience working with adults on the spectrum in group-home settings as well as community worksites. She has conducted many speaking engagements on Autism Spectrum Disorder at several colleges, The NW Autism Foundation, Autism Society of Oregon, and in other settings. Marci is currently serving on the board of directors for The Autism Society of Oregon. Marci is a well-known and much-beloved member of the autism community. Returning ACAP students look forward to her smiling face and parents trust her wealth of knowledge. She and her partner, Sarah, have been foster parents to a child with ASD since 2000.
Susy Hammel - Susy began her association with ACAP as a volunteer for the Annual Auction. She joined the Board in 2001, serving as the Secretary for many years. Susy is retired from a career as an Executive Secretary. She has long been involved in the local community, having served as President on the board of The City of Hope Hospital, and as a board member for The Oregon Jewish Museum. Her volunteer experience also includes Robison Jewish Home, The Girl Scouts, and many hours through the years at both her children’s and grandchildren’s schools. Susy is the mother of Marci Hammel and her sister, Katrina. She is also the grandmother of a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Steve Lutz - Steve is close friends with a family in which one member has autism. Through this friendship, he has learned about ASD and has a strong belief in ACAP’s mission. He contributes his business background experience, among other talents, to our board. Steve has a BFA degree in art and a degree in teaching. Following 3 1/2 years working as a teacher, he went in a different direction and started his own company. Fabric Art, Inc., printed and sold sportswear with company logos and printed artwork. Steve worked hard, successfully grew the business for over 19 years and sold the company. Currently, Steve owns and operates a creative marketing business, Lutz and Company. He has been involved in sales trainings and is often involved in implementation stages of marketing plans.
David C. Poulson - David has a teenage son, JD, who has autism. He also has a daughter in college studying sequential art. His wife, Michelle, began her professional career as a mathematician/statistician; however, she is now a special education teacher at Lake Oswego High School. She runs the “Access” program that is primarily responsible with managing the social and educational issues of students with ASD. Through their experience in raising JD, they have become very familiar with Portland’s autism community.David believes that ACAP is a unique program that serves a vital role within Portland’s autism community. He joins us in knowing that during the summer months it is critically important that children with autism maintain their social and educational gains made during the regular school year. ACAP provides a structured activity environment that accomplishes this goal.
Currently employed by PACE Engineers in Lake Oswego, David has over 25 years of professional experience managing civil engineering projects in California, Oregon, Alaska and China. He has a BS degree in Civil Engineering from California Polytechnic State University and an MBA with an international focus (Asia) from Portland State University. He brings business management skills, among other talents, to the ACAP board.
Executive Committee
Erin Dow – Erin brings small business education and experience to ACAP. She believes in the ACAP summer program model as serving an otherwise unfulfilled need in the autism community. Erin is happily married to her husband, Jon. She is also the mother of two beautiful boys, one whom has autism and has attended ACAP’s Summer Program for many years. She is involved in the autism community as an advocate and volunteer.
Krista Kamin - Krista is married and the mother of an adult daughter with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She was a science major at Oregon State University and has a small business background. Krista has volunteered in the local community for years, most notably with the Girl scouts, feeling that she’ll “always be a Girl Scout at heart.”
Phyllis Stafford - Phyllis has wanted to be only two things in her working life…a school teacher and a flight attendant. She feels fortunate enough to have been both. Now she is contributing to the Executive Committee. Phyllis is married to a pediatric dentist, Greg. She is also the mother of two young men, Mason and Spencer. Always one to be positive, “Life is good,” is Phyllis’ outlook.
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Autistic Children’s Activity Program is a not-for-profit, 501C3 corporation. Tax ID # 94-3042607.