Estrella Vista Ranch | Staff

Team Leaders

Cindy Dickinson

Executive Director, M.Ed.

Cindy Dickinson has always had a passion for helping young people. Cindy obtained a BA from the University of California, Irvine, in English Literature and her career path gravitated toward teaching. As a high school teacher, she started right off the bat helping at-risk teens find ways out of their difficult situations and helped them strengthen their commitment to themselves and their future.

Growing programs and helping students lead to Cindy's service as a high school principal and then as Director of Student Services of a large public school district in California. During that time, she was able to meet the needs of many students, both as individuals and groups, through her ability to hold students accountable for their behavior and assist with their transition to young adults choosing to have the best, most full lives possible.

Originally assisting as academic/program adviser for the development of Estrella Vista Ranch, Cindy was captivated by the dream of helping girls who would otherwise not receive such support and wanted to participate full time. Leaving California for the new venture has allowed her to indulge her passion for helping girls individually and growing new programs and creating new opportunities for as many girls as possible.

Cindy's responsibilities at the Ranch include student enrollment, community representation, serving as a liaison between parents and agencies and fiscal operations. She also facilitates the daily educational process and assists the girls through tutoring.

Erica Palacios

Program Director, B.S. Occupational Therapy

Erica Palacios is passionate about assisting others in awakening to their authentic selves. Erica believes that all people hold within them the capability of rising above challenges and living their purpose when guidance is sought by looking inward. Erica has devoted many hours to being a Court Appointed Special Advocate. It was this experience that sparked the desire to provide a safe, nurturing, and learning environment for adolescent girls.

Professionally, Erica is a graduate of Loma Linda University where she graduated Summa Cum Laude with a degree in Occupational Therapy. She has worked in pediatrics for the past 10 years and is the owner of an agency that contracts with the state of Arizona to provide both occupational and physical therapies to children with developmental disabilities in the home setting, she also volunteers her time as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for the county of Maricopa.

Erica is a certified Divine Wisdom coach and will be taking the lead role as facilitator of the Divine Wisdom curriculum. In addition, she coordinates and executes the entrance and exit processes, is the liaison between parents, case workers, guardians and the program participants.

Jose Palacios

Facilities Director

Jose Palacios is a master at taking care of all things mechanical and organic. Jose is a very busy man at Estrella Vista Ranch. He is not only responsible for keeping our grounds and equipment in good repair but for landscaping and daily care of EVR's many animals. Jose's love of making things "work" and for creating naturally beautiful surroundings ensure that EVR is a serene location for reflection and growth.

Jose is an aircraft technician by profession. He began his career in aviation and is a Vietnam Era Veteran. He has given 30 years of service to Honeywell.

Jose has volunteered a great deal of time to care for horses in need and also assists physical therapists in providing HIPPOTHERAPY to children with developmental disabilities. HIPPOTHERAPY is a therapy given to an individual patient utilizing movement of a horse to meet identified therapy goals. It is designed to improve neurological functioning in cognition, body movement, organization, and attention levels. Jose's is committed to bringing these types of modalities to Estrella Vista Ranch.

Kathy Schurdevin, R.N.

Kathy Schurdevin provides direct medical and consulting services for Estrella Vista Ranch. She holds a Certificate in Classical Homeopathy from the Northwestern School of Homeopathy in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She has completed training of Cranialsacral Therapy I and II with Upledger Institute, Palm Beach Gardens, FLA. She has been certified as Reiki Master Teacher in Usui/Japanese/Tibetan Reiki System by Dr. Philip Vande-Reit PhD,MPA.

Kathy is active in the pursuit of establishing high quality homeopathic care as well as promoting other alternative healing methods. In her homeopathic practice, she treats those with acute and chronic illness for people of all ages.  She also specializes in the use of homeopathy in mental health issues. Kathy provides Reiki and Cranialsacral therapy treatments and cranial sacral therapy in her clinic.

Christina Romano

Counselor/Therapist, M.Ed., L.P.C.

Christina Romano provides both consulting and on-site professional services for Estrella Vista Ranch. The essence of her counseling approach is that she knows each person to be whole and unique regardless of what is currently being experienced. She helps clients focus on areas of difficulty with kind acceptance. Knots of anxiety, depression and unhappiness unravel and resolve into greater peace. One begins to know oneself as bigger than the problem. She teaches cognitive behavioral skills of mindfulness, centering and focusing to allow a greater repertoire of responses to habitual problem areas. She provides a safe place to explore one's deeper self and resolve issues that block happiness and the realization of potential.