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About the Founder of Opportunity Acres

Michelle has been working with individuals with developmental disabilities since 1990. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology, and a Master of Arts Degree in Teaching with an emphasis in Applied Behavior Analysis. In addition, Michelle is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Michelle has provided behavior intervention for children, adolescents and adults with a variety of developmental disabilities. She began focusing on young children with autism in 1994.
 
Michelle founded her first business, Advance Kids, Inc. in 2000 providing in home services to consumers with autism. After 20
years in business, Advance Kids now provides in home services, center based services, educational services and a non-public preschool.  Advance Kids established a crisis intervention dba, Kala "No Limits" in 2018 to address the needs of those struggling with severe behavior excesses.
Michelle has been featured in The Business Journal and was also awarded "Business Woman of the Year" by the National Association of Woman Business Owners in 2008 and "2012 Small Business Person of the Year for the Sacramento Region" by the Small Business Administration.

 

Michelle's love of horses began when her youngest child began riding lessons at the age 6. As her daughter grew more and more involved in riding and competing, Michelle finally decided to join her daughter in the sport and the rest is history. Time with horses, whether riding, feeding, grooming or just hanging out in pasture has proven to be respite for Michelle and she wants to share that joy with others. Opportunity Acres is the marriage of her passion for helping those affected by autism and her love of horses and large animals. As a horse owner, she quickly came to recognize how much horses can do for a human being, providing a sense of calm when you need it most.
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