Who We Are
ARI provides exemplary and timely integrated psychoeducational assessment services. Our goal is to maximize the learning potential of each student, while tending to special education laws and parameters.
Leadership
Alisa ‘Cai’ Baker Ph.D., ABSNP
PRESIDENT
Cai is energized by an inherent curiosity in human development and the environmental context in which it takes place. Her life-long passion for supporting children and families was informed by her own gratifying and humbling experience of raising two children, now adults.
Passionate about Helping All Students Progress
Having worked in direct and adjunct special education arenas for over 25 years, Cai knows how to maximize the educational progress of all students as well as appreciate the rewards and challenges of special education service delivery for public school districts. She is highly regarded in her field as thorough, understanding, and gifted at clear communication when it matters most.
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Dedicated to Continuing Education & Personal Growth
Cai obtained her certification/PPS credential as a school psychologist in the state of Kentucky in 1992. After finishing her Ph.D. at the University of Kentucky College of Educational and Counseling Psychology, Cai obtained Kentucky licensure as a psychologist in 1997. After one year serving as a staff school psychologist, Cai entered private practice focused on home-based early assessment and intervention (IFSP) and multidisciplinary assessment of low incidence handicapping conditions in children. Following seven years in private practice, Cai moved to California in 2006 for a clinical staff position at Santa Cruz County Children’s Mental Health. Cai has been licensed as a psychologist in the state of California since 2007. During her 6.5 year tenure at Santa Cruz County, Cai continued her work i.e., assessment, intervention, and supervision in the special education arena via Educationally Related Mental Health Services (ERMHS).
After leaving Santa Cruz County in 2012, Cai re-entered private practice, serving as a contract assessor for Easter Seals in the Bay Area before renewing/transferring her PPS credential to the state of California. Cai received certification from the American Board of School Neuropsychology (ABSNP) in 2021. Cai has worked as a staff and contract school psychologist in the Bay Area since 2013.
Seasoned Mental Health Therapist with Expertise in Intervention Modalities
In addition to 25+ years of experience in the field of special education, Cai is a seasoned mental health therapist with advanced training in state-of-the-art intervention modalities for children, families, and adults such as Triple P and AEDP. She has successfully run private practices in Kentucky as well as California.
Personal Interests
In her free time, Cai enjoys cycling, yoga, partner dance, and hiking the beautiful Bay Area hills.
Teamwork
Rachael Kleffer, LEP, ABSNP
REFERRAL COORDINATOR
Rachael has worked as a school psychologist, with nearly two decades of experience. In that time, she has helped families in a variety of settings, and across age groups, including kindergarten through high school. Rachael has also worked with children with various disabilities and severities.
Rachael holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Fresno State University, a Master’s degree in Education with a Pupil Personnel Services Credential, and a California license as a Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP)
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Among Rachael’s accomplishments are the development and implementation of school-wide practices to promote learning for both special education and general education students, as well as bridging the gap between the school and families in need of support. Rachael excels at creatively solving problems that empower the individual student, in addition to the family itself. She enjoys the process of working collaboratively with the team to support students.
Personal Interests
In her free time, Rachael enjoys being active outdoors, reading, and spending time with her family and friends. Rachael currently resides in the Bay Area.
Emory Lee
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Emory has had experience in the clerical field for over 15 years, beginning at her father’s lumber company as a bookkeeping assistant. After receiving her certificate in medical billing and coding in 2010, she went on to work for a veterinarian hospital as a receptionist until 2014. She then served as a nanny for multiple families with children ranging from 8 weeks to 5 years old. She joined ARI in 2017 as an administrative assistant, where she serves as a parent liaison, scheduler, and contractor intake coordinator. Along with her certificate in medical billing and coding, Emory is currently working towards her bachelors of liberal studies in developmental psychology. She enjoys Pilates, running, gardening, cooking, and spending time with her husband and their six year-old daughter.