800 Friedens Road, Suite 200
St. Charles, MO 63303
(636)949-2425
Our Funding Sources
Developmental Disabilities Resources Board of St. Charles County
The Community and Children's Resource Board of St. Charles County
Lincoln County Resource Board
Franklin County Children and Families Community Resource Board
Denise Gould, Executive Director
Although I'm the Executive Director at FACT, my greatest claim to fame is that I am David and Emily's mom. My career accomplishments pale in comparison to the pride and satisfaction that I take in being an active part of my children's lives. They both presented unique challenges that required some form of assistance from FACT. Those successes have kept me connected to FACT in one form or another.
Audrey Yarbrough, Co-Founder and Program Director
In 1984 Audrey and friend Judy Young founded a support group for families of children with disabilities, which eventually grew into F.A.C.T. Her goal has always been to insure that families have the necessary advocacy skills to positively impact lifelong outcomes for their children.
In 2001, Audrey was presented the Hero Award as mental health advocate of the year and received recognition from the Missouri House of Representatives and the Missouri Senate for her advocacy efforts.
Charlotte Allen, Parent Partner Supervisor
My son has ADHD. It has been a long struggle, especially with school. We were thrown out of many recreational facilities and it was hard to keep him busy. I learned how to advocate for my son through training. I read everything that I could get my hands on about ADHD, so that I could learn how to handle him at home. I soon found out that a positive attitude and the way I approached him helped an awful lot. I also taught him how to advocate for himself. Because of this, he was able to graduate from high school on time and now attends Junior College.
Laura Bickford, Parent Partner
My name is Laura Bickford, and I an employed by FACT as a Parent Partner. I am a foster parent, adoptive parent and a Guardian ad litem for the St. Louis city juvenile court. I know there are a lot of families that struggle with their day-to-day lives and I can relate to them. Working at FACT gives me the opportunity to support these families by referring them to resources in the community, helping them advocate for their children and by being an empathetic listener. I love the work I do here at FACT!
Carol Wells, Parent Partner
My name is Carol Wells, and I am pleased to be working with FACT. I have a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Columbia College. I have two great teenage sons, Jonathon and Matthew. My oldest son, Jonathon, was diagnosed with a genetic brain disease when he was 18 months old that has resulted in multiple disabilities. Navigating through the school system has taught me how to be strong. Helping him grow and develop through the years has given me passion to help children with disabilities reach their full potential throughout the many phases of their lives and to empower and support their parents.
Nikia Gist, Parent Partner
I am the proud parent of three children: Nikolas, Damian, and Sa’Mone. My son Damian is developmentally delayed as a result of numerous medical conditions. My children and I - along with my mother - work as a team to support Damian so that his life is as normal as possible; we focus on his ability not his disability. Damian is currently a fulltime high school student. There was no program like FACT in place for parents in my area 17 years ago, so we were on our own. Throughout the years I have learned how to advocate for my son and others in numerous facets of life. I enjoy advocating and helping others reach their full capacity. As parents we must know that our journey is never predictable.
Joy Porter, Parent Partner
I am the mother of four children, one of whom spent four months in the NICU. After undergoing two surgeries and many procedures, he made a miraculous recovery with a few physical delays. Being a mother of a child with a disability has changed my life and the way that I view other parents who have children with disabilities. I have a new understanding and compassion that comes from the heart. My goal is to encourage and uplift families going through difficult times.
Lynn Foust, Advocacy Supervisor
I have been with FACT for nine years. I have six children, three of which have disabilities. Initially, I contacted FACT to help me understand the Special Education process. After attending the FACT training workshops I had the knowledge to advocate proactively for my children with the school district, and felt empowered to help others with similar needs. There is no better feeling to know I am making a difference in the lives of children with disabilities and their families.
Karen Cooper, Advocate
I am the mother of two wonderful children, Sam and Sarah. Sam was diagnosed as language-delayed at 3 years and received services through pre-school. I depended on the doctors and school personnel to get Sam the resources he needed, but soon found that wasn't effective. FACT taught me that I needed to educate myself to be the best advocate for my child. I am excited to work for an organization that helps so many people help themselves.
Jennifer Brooks, Office Manager
In my prior position I worked for three years at the Neurofibromatosis Foundation as Development Coordinator. I truly enjoyed helping to serve people through fundraising and public awareness for NF.
Raising two daughters has taught me patience and compassion. My older daughter has a speech disability and works very hard to overcome it. My professional and personal experiences have brought me to F.A.C.T. I am truly honored to join such a wonderful group of people.
Heather Lytle, Administrative Assistant
I have a Bachelors degree in English and a Masters in Education and now find that both are relevant in my current position as administrative assistant. I have also worked as a bartender for the last ten years, and that also helps. It is truly amazing working for an organization that spends all of its time trying to help other people. I have never seen people who are so dedicated to a cause, and I am proud to be part of making a difference in the lives of people who have disabilities.