Executive and Administrative Office
Executive Director - Lori Pendroff
Lori Pendroff, for over 35 years, has demonstrated unwavering commitment to mental health, homeless services, substance abuse, and non-profit leadership. Lori joined BRIDGES, Inc. in 2007 as executive director, and continues to serve the agency in the capacity of president and executive director. She has been a driving force to positive change in the delivery of services and organizational development. Lori’s long-standing career includes serving various, underserved populations throughout nationally recognized agencies in Los Angeles County. Her management and previous direct service experiences expand across all treatment modalities including outpatient, day rehabilitation and treatment, long term and transitional residential, and homeless services and she has a true passion for psychosocial rehabilitation and the delivery of community-based services. Lori earned a Master of Science degree in Leadership and Management, and holds an undergraduate degree is in Psychology.
Fiscal Director- Lynnae Hernandez
Lynnae Hernandez graduated from the University of the Americas in Puebla, Mexico, with a B.S. degree in Psychology in 1985. After concluding her studies, she went to work in the nursing home industry and earned her Nursing Home Administrator's license in 1988. Her tenure in health care management included the role of Administrator in long-term care facilities specializing in mental health, Alzheimer’s disease, and geriatric care. Lynnae received 16 years’ experience in the non-profit sector and fund accounting while working in church management. Since joining BRIDGES in 2006 Lynnae has brought extensive experience in management, mental health and accounting to the organization.
Human Resources Director- Judi Steele
Judi joined BRIDGES Inc. in 2001 after gaining ten years of valuable human relations and business management experience, in a variety of environments. Specific management and administrative skill that Judi has had an opportunity to develop over the years, include human resources management, human relations, policy and procedural protocol, and the ability to lead various complex projects. BRIDGES Inc. quickly recognized Judi’s natural abilities and knowledge, and enthusiastically promoted her to the management team, and the Human Resources Department in 2003. Judi has completed various trainings in human resources management, conflict resolution, employment law, and basic mental health including mental health first aid. Judi currently oversees all human resources functions and personnel management.
QA Coordinator- Mark Rodriguez
Mark first began working in the Quality Assurance and Improvement sector in mental health in September of 2006. At that time, while employed with a well-established mental health program in Los Angeles County he was provided with an opportunity to learn the fundamentals of auditing and policy creation and enforcement. Taking the knowledge gained from this experience Mark then moved into the role of Quality Assurance Coordinator for a medical Center in 2007. Mark has been working for BRIDGES since 2011 and is responsible for the Quality Assurance Division. Mark has implemented systems of accountability related to clinical and related documentation. He has done so by collaborating closely with the clinical team and executive management, as well as all team members. He has established regular peer reviews and a documentation training program helping to identify issues, trends, and training needs.
Mark also facilitates and participates in audits and reviews, both internal and external and develops or supports plans of corrections as needed. Further, Mark assumes the role of administrator for EXYM, BRIDGES’s electronic medical record, including setting up and monitoring users, generating reports, reconciling billing matters, and monitoring documentation to assure contract and regulatory compliance and quality standards. Mark has a strong base in knowledge for both LACDMH documentation standards as well implementation of electronic health records and electronic data interchange.
Mark also facilitates and participates in audits and reviews, both internal and external and develops or supports plans of corrections as needed. Further, Mark assumes the role of administrator for EXYM, BRIDGES’s electronic medical record, including setting up and monitoring users, generating reports, reconciling billing matters, and monitoring documentation to assure contract and regulatory compliance and quality standards. Mark has a strong base in knowledge for both LACDMH documentation standards as well implementation of electronic health records and electronic data interchange.
Clinical Programs and Services
Outpatient Services
Clinical Head of Services- Larisa Cazacioc, LMFT
Larisa Cazacioc graduated from Pepperdine University with a master’s in clinical psychology. She is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, experienced in education and training in the field of addiction and recovery. She has extensive experience in program management, quality assurance, managing and ensuring clinical charts meet contract requirements. Larisa has worked in the mental health /substance abuse field for over 13 years and has experience with at risk-families, adolescents, and adults. Her areas of expertise include substance abuse/addictions, co-occurring disorders (mental health and substance abuse disorders) schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, anger management and PTSD. She worked in various settings including inpatient hospitals, residential programs for severe psychological disorders, and step down IMD’s. She is trained in evidence based-practices, including Motivational Interviewing, Aggression Replacement Training (ART), and Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). Larisa has been working in the capacity of Clinical Director at BRIDGES since 2016
Director, Full-Service Partnership - Kristen Hewlett, LMFT
Kristen Hewlett is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist who earned her master’s degree in Counseling from California State University, Northridge. She has experience working with children, TAY, adults and families in a variety of setting including field based (home, residential and school), community clinic, and an inpatient psychiatric hospital. Kristen has worked with chronically mentally ill individuals, as well as, individuals with a dual diagnosis providing psychosocial assessments, individual and group therapy, crisis intervention and case management services. Additionally, Kristen has worked with individuals/families connected to the Department of Children and Family Services and/or the Department of Probation.
Kristen has specialized training in Evidence Based Practices including Individual Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Seeking Safety, Crisis Oriented Recovery Services and Motivational Interviewing. Kristen has supervisory experience overseeing the day to day operations of field-based programs including FCCS and FSP. She provides clinical, administrative and program oversight for clinical and non-clinical staff.
Kristen has specialized training in Evidence Based Practices including Individual Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Interpersonal Psychotherapy, Seeking Safety, Crisis Oriented Recovery Services and Motivational Interviewing. Kristen has supervisory experience overseeing the day to day operations of field-based programs including FCCS and FSP. She provides clinical, administrative and program oversight for clinical and non-clinical staff.
TruStart Program Supervisor- Karla Roldan, LMFT
Karla Roldan is the Program Supervisor at Bridges, TruStart. She received her Master Degree from California State University Northridge and later worked as a case specialist by assisting parents participate in subsidized child care programs. Prior to joining Bridges, TruStart, Karla worked as a mental health therapist for Tarzana Treatment Centers. She was responsible for working with clients dually diagnosed, conducting assessments, creating treatment plans and facilitating individual therapy.
Currently in her new role as the Program Supervisor, Karla has been assisting the Clinical Director in training staff, supervising the intake process, approving and monitoring assessments, individual treatment plans and conducting clinical evaluations as needed. Karla has taken on additional responsibilities in regard to helping guide and support individual staff members and promote agency wide outreach efforts. Karla is well respected by and supported of her colleagues as evidenced by her friendly and collaborative demeanor. Karla has been promoting team work, guidance, great work ethic and an excellent understanding of professional standards during her employment with Bridges.
Currently in her new role as the Program Supervisor, Karla has been assisting the Clinical Director in training staff, supervising the intake process, approving and monitoring assessments, individual treatment plans and conducting clinical evaluations as needed. Karla has taken on additional responsibilities in regard to helping guide and support individual staff members and promote agency wide outreach efforts. Karla is well respected by and supported of her colleagues as evidenced by her friendly and collaborative demeanor. Karla has been promoting team work, guidance, great work ethic and an excellent understanding of professional standards during her employment with Bridges.
Clinical Director - Shianne Torales
Shianne Torales is a Licensed Marriage Family Therapist with 17 years of DMH experience. She has worked with several contracted agencies in service areas 1,2,3,4,7 and 8 providing direct mental health services to children, adults and/or their families in the office, home, and/or community settings as well as Quality Improvement. Direct services provided included Prevention and Early Interventions such as Seeking Safety, Aggression Replacement Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Intervention, and Brief Parenting Enhancement Interventions, which is Praxis currently within the school-based and Full-Service Partnership programs. As a Quality Improvement Specialist, Shianne reviewed documentation from MAT, TBS, FSP, Wraparound, CAWORKS/gain, FCCS (Adult and Children), probation, and Wellness programs as well as provided clinical guidance and training regarding documentation requirements. Supervisory duties include teaching and reviewing DMH documentation such as the clinical loop between the assessment, treatment plan and progress note, writing specific achievable mental health and case management goals, and collaboration with supervisees on formulating DSM/ICD-10 codes; holding team meetings to complete case presentations and improve clinical skills; providing guidance about red flag issues, HIPPAA compliance and ethical/legal responsibilities; and providing individual and/or group supervision. Currently, Shianne serves as the Clinical Director for BRIDGES in service area 3.
Outreach and Intake
Outreach and Event Coordinator - Ana Beltran
Intake Coordinator- Lindsey Griffo
Residential Services
Program Director and Administrator - Jose Gomez
Program Director and Administrator - Lisa Maher
Program Director and Administrator - Kelly Petrula
Program Director and Administrator - Lisa Maher
Program Director and Administrator - Kelly Petrula
Executive and Program Support Team
Linda Gonzalez, Executive Assistant
Breannda Arguijo - Program Assistant
Lupe Perez - Program Assistant
Cindy Luna - Quality Assurance Associate
Davis Truong - Quality Assurance Associate
Paulina Rojas - Billing Specialist
Jorge Navarro - Financial Clerk
Breannda Arguijo - Program Assistant
Lupe Perez - Program Assistant
Cindy Luna - Quality Assurance Associate
Davis Truong - Quality Assurance Associate
Paulina Rojas - Billing Specialist
Jorge Navarro - Financial Clerk
The BRIDGES Team
Our team includes many valuable professional and direct service staff working in our homes and programs everyday providing support and treatment for our clients.
These staff members include:
BRIDGES welcomes help from community volunteers, students and interns from various educational institutions. Students, interns and volunteers are provided with an opportunity to develop their therapeutic skills and gain a deeper knowledge of mental health while assisting clients in learning to manage their symptoms of mental health and providing treatment strategies for helping clients to achieve their individual goals.
All of our staff, volunteers, students, and interns are invaluable to the clients we serve.
These staff members include:
- Mental Health Workers
- Therapists
- Case Managers
- Peer Support Staff
- Volunteers/ Internns
BRIDGES welcomes help from community volunteers, students and interns from various educational institutions. Students, interns and volunteers are provided with an opportunity to develop their therapeutic skills and gain a deeper knowledge of mental health while assisting clients in learning to manage their symptoms of mental health and providing treatment strategies for helping clients to achieve their individual goals.
All of our staff, volunteers, students, and interns are invaluable to the clients we serve.