Phoenix native Marysol Vazquez began her career at 19 with Early Head Start through the city of Phoenix. She worked in early intervention and as a family advocate and caseworker for about 11 years before joining Encircle Families.
In those roles, she enjoyed serving families with young children and found the experience helpful when she started her own family. Marysol and her husband, Jose, have two daughters. A few years ago, she noticed her younger daughter was not meeting certain developmental milestones.
“I knew what to do,” Marysol said. She connected her daughter to the Arizona Early Intervention Program and spoke with a Family Support Specialist at Encircle Families.
Her younger daughter was later diagnosed with autism, and her older daughter with ADHD. Now, one child has an Individualized Education Program, and the other has a 504 plan at school.
Marysol valued the support she received and began training to become a Parent Leader. Encircle Families hired her before she completed the training. She was eager to join the team and support families of children with disabilities.
Today, Marysol serves as a Family Support Specialist, speaking with parents and caregivers and sharing resources tailored to their needs. She presents workshops, including the eight-hour, two-day Positive Behavior Support program offered with the Division of Developmental Disabilities in English and Spanish. She also serves as vice chair of Arizona’s Interagency Coordinating Council for Infants and Toddlers, which advises the Arizona Early Intervention Program on services for children from birth to age 3.
Marysol and her family live in Phoenix. They enjoy camping and recently started kayaking after attending an event hosted by the Outsiders Club through the Autism Society of Greater Phoenix.
“I love working here because I can learn so much about disability services in the community,” Marysol said. “I feel equipped to help my own family and the families I speak to. What more could I ask for?”
