Meet The Team

Terra Oehler

My Name is Terra Oehler, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, mother of two, and the Owner of L.I.F.E. I have been working in ABA since 2002. I received my Master of Science degree from Nova Southeastern University in 2015 and became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in 2016. I started L.I.F.E. with one goal in mind: to build a company that provides a caring, nurturing environment for its staff, so that the children and families we serve could receive the best possible care. I’m dedicated to ensuring that all our clients receive cutting-edge, evidence-based services that put the FUN back in functional! Here at L.I.F.E., your child will receive dedicated, personalized intervention that blends play-based learning with discrete trial teaching and behavioral management. Our amazing staff has allowed us to build and grow; we have expanded past our original boundary of the Modesto/Salida area, and now serve clients across two different counties and twelve different regions. Please feel free to use the “contact us” form if you have any questions, we are always ready to help new children blossom and grow in their independence, and to work with parents and families to help facilitate that growth!

Anabel Partida

My Name is Anabel Partida, LIFE’s HR and Operations Manager. I joined the team in 2021 as an HR Generalist and was determined to reshape Human Resources and amplify employee engagement. I came to LIFE with years of invaluable HR experience and knowledge along with a BS in Business Administration, specializing in Human Resources from CSU Stanislaus. After two years with LIFE, I was promoted to HR and Operations Manager. Everyday I come to work on a mission to ensure our entire team is equipped with the tools and support needed to deliver nothing short of excellence for our clients. I’m super passionate about the work we do here, and I’m here to support our employees every step of the way. A great day at work for me is when I know our employees feel valued, happy and proud to be part of the LIFE team. When I’m not at work, you’ll find me exploring new places with my family, organizing fun events, or kicking a soccer ball around with my boys!

Rebecca Meyer

Hello, my name is Rebecca Meyer, and I am a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with over 15 years of experience supporting children and families through Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). I earned my Master’s degree from Nova Southeastern University and became a BCBA in 2015.

My journey in this field is both professional and personal. I was first introduced to early intervention through family members of my own, which shaped my passion for helping children with autism and developmental needs access meaningful, life-changing services. Because of this, I truly understand how important it is for families to feel supported, heard, and guided every step of the way.

Over the years, I have worked in early intervention programs, schools, and in-home settings, supporting children with a wide range of needs. I’ve had the opportunity to collaborate with teachers, therapists, and families to create individualized programs that focus on communication, behavior, and everyday life skills.

I joined L.I.F.E. to help bring high-quality, in-home ABA services to families in Merced County and the surrounding Central Valley, where access to care has historically been limited. What started as a part-time role quickly became a full-time commitment, driven by my passion for serving this community and making a meaningful difference in the lives of the families we work with.

As a Clinical Director, my goal is to ensure that every family feels supported and confident in their child’s care. I am committed to providing ethical, compassionate, and evidence-based services, while also mentoring our team to deliver the highest quality support possible.

Outside of work, I am a wife to a disabled veteran, a mother of three adult children, and a proud grandmother of four. Family is at the heart of everything I do, and I carry that perspective into the care and support I provide to the families we serve.

Helena Francisco

Hello! My name is Helena Francisco, and I am a Talent Acquisition Specialist at LIFE. I have extensive experience in Human Resources and in behavioral-based services, having worked as a Registered Behavior Technician and a 1:1 Intervention Specialist. I am a proud alumna of the University of California, Merced, where I earned my BA in Psychology. I am currently pursuing my MA in Clinical Psychology with a focus on Marriage and Family Therapy from Pepperdine University. I am passionate about helping underserved communities and plan to use my knowledge and experience to make a positive impact in the Central Valley.

In my current role, I leverage my administrative and behavior-based experience to recruit highly qualified and passionate individuals who are dedicated to Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). My hands-on experience in this field has shown me the profound impact ABA can have on individuals on the autism spectrum. I am grateful for the opportunity to support the team at LIFE in making a difference in our clients’ lives. I am committed to uplifting others and ensuring our employees feel supported so that our clients receive the best possible care. In my free time, I enjoy traveling, spending time with family and friends, and watching the latest horror movies.

Laura Marquez

Hi! I’m Laura, the Clinical Training Coordinator and Scheduler here at L.I.F.E. I was born and raised in Hollywood, CA, and moved to Merced in 2018 to attend UC Merced and start my college journey.
I’ve always had a heart for working with individuals with special needs, though for a long time I couldn’t decide if I wanted to be a teacher or a psychologist. Eventually, I found my path in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and never looked back.

Over the past four years, I’ve been lucky enough to work with individuals of all ages, from toddlers as young as one to adults- and each experience has only strengthened my passion for this work. I started as a Behavior Technician with my BCAT certification, where I learned so much hands-on. Later, I stepped into a Clinical Supervisor role, where I trained new BTs, supported families, and created individualized programs to help clients thrive.

Now, in my role as Clinical Training Coordinator and Scheduler, I get to combine all of that experience. I train and support our new hires, manage staff schedules across Merced, Stanislaus, and San Joaquin counties, and handle referral requests from VMRC. What I love most about my job is helping people grow, whether that’s team members learning new skills or clients reaching their goals.

When I’m not working, I’m a bit of a homebody. You can usually find me cooking, lounging with my three cats (and my husband), or going down rabbit holes of conspiracy theory videos just for fun.

I’m excited to keep growing here at L.I.F.E. and to continue making a difference- one team member and one client at a time.

Michael Rascon

Hi! I’m Michael Rascon, and I’m an Administrative Assistant here at L.I.F.E.
I was born and raised in Modesto, CA, and graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) with a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology. My academic background deepened my understanding of people, communities, and the importance of equitable access to resources, values that continue to guide my work every day.

In my role, I assist the L.I.F.E. team by preparing materials and documentation for clients, coordinating logistics, and ensuring that both our clinical and administrative operations run efficiently. I take pride in being someone my team can rely on for organization, communication, and support, especially when it comes to helping clients receive the care they deserve.

I’m passionate about helping others and making a lasting impact in my community. My long-term goal is to attend law school and use my education to advocate for and empower underrepresented individuals and families throughout the Central Valley.

Outside of work, I enjoy cheering on the 49ers, spending time with my pug Kenobi, and going to the movies.

I’m proud to be part of the L.I.F.E. team and excited to continue contributing to our mission of promoting growth, inclusion, and positive change for the individuals we serve.

Diana Ruiz

Hi! I’m Diana Ruiz, a Board Certified Behavior Analyst here at L.I.F.E. After high school, I attended Sacramento State University, where I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Food and Nutrition with a concentration in Dietetics. I worked in that field for a couple of years before deciding to go back to school. During that time, I discovered a significant need for behavioral support services in the Central Valley, which inspired me to pursue a Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis.

Over the past six years, I’ve gained extensive experience in behavior-based services—starting as a Registered Behavior Technician for two years and then working as a mid-level supervisor for four years. Now, as a BCBA, I’m excited to continue supporting individuals with special needs by using my knowledge and experience to make a meaningful difference in their lives.

When I’m not working, you can usually find me hiking, running, or watching Criminal Minds.

I’m thrilled to be part of the leadership team here at L.I.F.E. and look forward to continuing to make a positive impact on the lives of our clients.