About us

Located in Brick and Parsippany, New Jersey, our expert team provides center-based and in-home services tailored to meet each individual's needs. We believe in working together to help you achieve your goals and improve your quality of life.

• Mental Health Counseling
• Advocacy for children
• In-home therapy

• ABA services
• Classroom support training

Our experience enables us to offer effective, individualized services. We treat every need with a unique team approach, ensuring an appropriate treatment plan for your child and family. 

Our focus is on helping individuals heal, energize, and become aware of their inner strengths. We achieve this through partnerships with children, families, providers, and community members, customizing each treatment plan to meet specific concerns.

We promise to be there for you throughout your journey. Our goal is to help you grow from your struggles, capitalize on your strengths, build a supportive team, and move forward to where you want to be. 

We’re committed to serving the underserved and ensuring that every family has access to the support they need.

Step Up Family Services is dedicated to fostering an environment of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We protect and support all staff and clients, judging solely on the quality of their skills, not on race, nationality, sexuality, gender, or religion. 

By working together on a heart level, we empower each other and step up in harmony as a community.

David Timpanaro is the owner/founder and CEO of Step Up Family Services. Dr. Dave has completed his BA in Psychology, MS in Human Services, and his PhD in Multidisciplinary Human Services. Dr. Dave has been working within the in-home service field of social services for over 20 years, using his personal life experiences to develop the organization.

John has been practicing as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst since 2015 with experience in the field working with individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities since 2012. He joined Dr. Dave in co-founding Step Up Family Services' ABA services and holds a Master’s degree in Human Behavior and Organizational Psychology. 

Lia has a BA in Psychology and a Minor in Women's Studies. With over 20 years of experience working with children, her expertise includes general behavioral and mental health and Autism. Lia is a fundamental part of how Step Up Family Services grows and connects with children, families, clients, providers, and referring agencies.

Staci completed her Masters in Social Work from Fordham University in 2004 and is a seasoned Licensed Clinical Social Worker with over 20 years of experience. She has worked with children, families, and adults across many mental and behavioral needs and is certified to provide clinical supervision.

Danielle has been a Board Certified Behavior Analyst since 2012 and a Licensed Associate Counselor since 2009. She received her BA in Psychology from The Catholic University of America, MS in Professional Counseling from Monmouth University, and completed her Certification in Behavior Analysis.

Rebecca holds an MA in Clinical Counseling from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a postgraduate degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Florida Institute of Technology. Rebecca has worked as an Intensive In-Community (IIC) therapist with the Children’s System of Care (CSOC). She brings over 20 years of experience working with young children and adolescents with diverse developmental and physical disabilities across various settings, including school districts, homes, communities, and clinics. Rebecca leverages her personal experience as a mother of a child with physical disabilities to establish a strong connection with parents.

Candace is a BCBA with Step Up Family Services. She obtained her bachelor's degree from Kean University in Communication Disorders and Deafness in 2018 and her Master's in Applied Behavior Analysis in 2021. Before becoming a BCBA, she worked in the field providing services to individuals in home, community, and school settings.

Susan has been working with learners on the autism spectrum since 2007 and has been practicing as a BCBA since 2018. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Rutgers University and a Masters in Special Education from Ball State University. She has worked with learners ranging in age from 2-21 and in many different settings.

Victoria is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst who has been working with Step Up Family Services since 2021. She started her career as a certified Special Education Teacher in 2018, but found her passion in ABA shortly after working in a school that catered to students with autism. Victoria has a master's degree in Education from Rutgers University.

Heather brings a strong foundation in the science and practice of ABA, having earned a Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis from Salve Regina University in 2022. Before becoming a BCBA, Heather developed a wealth of clinical experience working with youth ages 9 to 18, supporting individuals with diverse behavioral and developmental needs across various settings. This hands-on background has shaped Heather’s commitment to providing compassionate, individualized, and evidence-based care, and we are thrilled to have such a dedicated professional helping to lead our clinical team at our Parsippany Learning Center!

Stephanie is a Licensed and Board Certified Behavior Analyst and the Clinical Team Lead at the Brick Learning Center with Step Up Family Services. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Master of Arts in Psychology from Kean University between 2017 and 2021. Her career in human services began as a Direct Support Professional, where she supported adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in group home settings. It was through this work that she discovered her passion for helping individuals improve their quality of life through the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).

Stephanie went on to serve as a Registered Behavior Technician for five years, providing in-home ABA services to children and adolescents ages 2 to 20 across New Jersey. She joined Step Up Family Services in 2023 and continued her professional development through the Florida Institute of Technology, where she earned her Post-Master’s Certificate in ABA. She became a licensed BCBA in November 2024.

In her role as Clinical Team Lead, Stephanie oversees the day-to-day operations at the Brick Learning Center, ensuring high-quality, compassionate care for clients and strong support for staff. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time at the beach, reading, and watching true crime documentaries.

Minha Lee is a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), Certified Crisis Management Training Instructor, and Organizational Behavior Management (OBM) Specialist with a wealth of experience across in-home, school, and adult services settings. She has dedicated her career to supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), delivering compassionate, evidence-based care in both clinical and educational environments.

Beyond her clinical expertise, Minha is deeply committed to community outreach and advocacy. She actively volunteers as an educational behavior consultant for private schools, where she lends her knowledge to promote inclusive, supportive learning environments for students of all abilities. Her well-rounded approach reflects a strong passion for empowering others and creating meaningful, lasting impact across the systems she serves.

Lisa is a dedicated Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) with Step Up Family Services, bringing a wealth of experience and a deep passion for supporting individuals with special needs. Her journey in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) began in 2016, building on a solid foundation of 14 years working in public education with students requiring specialized support. In 2022, Lisa earned her Master’s degree in Applied Behavior Analysis, further solidifying her commitment to evidence-based practices that drive meaningful outcomes for the individuals and families she serves.