Meet Our Team
The Kauaʻi Mental Health Advocates is on a mission to destigmatize the issues surrounding mental health through engaging community events, education, and resource sharing. Through this process, we have developed a board of directors responsible for upholding KMHA’s mission.
Executive Director/Co-founder of KMHA
FRANCI DÁVILA, LCSW
From parents that served their communities in the medical and social service fields, Franci was meant to follow her purpose as a clinician and community advocate. Originally venturing from Connecticut in 2011, Franci had no idea that Kauai would embrace her so beautifully as a permanent resident where she has been able to develop her skills as a mental health practitioner, amateur boxer and coach, training workshop facilitator, and creative community activist and organizer.
Building her private practice as a licensed clinician, Franci is well versed in emotional and identity development with adolescents, suicide prevention, behavioral modification, family therapy, and healing in intergenerational trauma. However, her true heart work has always been to work with the communities she is rooted in through various modalities especially art and education in what ultimately makes her bad ass.
President/Acting Secretary
ALLISON FRASCATORE
A transplant from New Jersey, Allison has had close ties to Kaua'i her entire life, and is dedicated to educating herself and others on how to best serve the place she now calls home.
Moved by KMHA's mission to provide resources and support for the community, Allison led several virtual Community Conversations in conjunction with KMHA. Soon, she was asked to become more involved and join the official board for KMHA, contributing her marketing skills and nonprofit experience to KMHA's mission. As a new mother, Allison is dedicated to creating an inclusive and supportive network of mental health resources for the youth of Kaua'i.
Board member
WARREN DASTRUP
Although retired, Warren remains active in the Kaua`i community at All Saints Preschool and at Friendship House. The mission of KMHA resonates strongly with him and aligns with his educational background of a Masters in Counseling Psychology and much of his previous work in the mental health field. This includes being a Kaua`i Jail Diversion Coordinator at Adult Mental Health Division, a Child Life Therapist at the Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago, a Preschool Director in Kapa’a, and a Research Consultant. Warren is also a veteran of the US Army, offering his services in the Chaplain Corp in Berlin, Germany.
Co-founder of KMHA
BELGICA HEREDIA, RN
Bel Heredia is a registered nurse at Wilcox Medical Center, where she specializes in women’s and infant health. She enjoys teaching childbirth classes and helping mothers as a lactation counselor. Bel has always had a fascination with the mind, brain and the way mental health is supported and perceived in the community.
As a member of KMHA, Bel is able to use her skills and passions to further the mission of this outstanding organization.
Board member
ALLYN SCOTT, MSW
Treasurer
JULIA KOTZIAN
Being born in Poland, Julia has made this island her home. After graduating from high school, she jumped back into the public school system and got involved in afterschool programs and teaching at the elementary school level. She has built her experience through her close work with families and those with special needs. Having worked in the Bay Area, the children she served came from diverse backgrounds, multilingual households and low income communities. The variety of positions have given her a drive to promote the most adequate environment for students. Having academic experience in remote teaching and culturally responsive pedagogy, she has a strong desire to create an inclusive community of students. Currently a K-2nd grade school counselor at Wilcox Elementary, Julia helps her students gain knowledge and skills in the area of behavior and social emotional development. "Mental health needs to be talked about," says Julia. And speaking of, she tends to clear her mind on the water - paddling, swimming, surfing and fishing.
Allyn serves as KMHA’s Treasurer, and has worked in the field of social work on Kaua'i for the last 16 years in varying capacities. During that time, the children and families that she has served taught her some of the most valuable lessons in her life. "This work has also highlighted some of the challenges that our community faces, specifically in regards to mental health," says Allyn.
As a KMHA board member, she hopes to carry forth the mission of de-stigmatizing mental health by providing educational opportunities to further the acceptance and understanding of mental health issues, and promoting total well-being for all members of our community. Allyn possesses a Bachelor's degree in Child Development and a Master's in Social Work.
Board member
ALYSSA CARVALHO
Alyssa is an expressive photographer, heartfelt creative, and community advocate. She grew up watching her father taking photos on family vacations, and quickly fell in love with the way photography captured the emotion of cherished memories. Through her business, Alyssa has fostered deep connections with her clients, and cherishes the opportunity to tell their stories in visual form. It’s that passion for embracing people as they are that brought Alyssa to KMHA. As a local girl raised in Hawai’i, she believes in giving back to the local community. Whether through coaching a children’s softball team or volunteering in a time of crisis, Alyssa uses her natural gifts to support others.
Board Member
PRITI “MAYA” TAYAL
Priti Tayal EdM, MA is the Community Programs Director at Hale Opio Inc. Kauai since January 2019. She moved to Kauaʻi in 2016 from Philadelphia where she worked as a college professor of Psychology and Criminal Justice for 8 years, as well as a clinical director, mental health therapist and supervisor of various programs that serviced the community and foster youth. She has over 20 years' experience in the mental health and non-profit community service fields. She is on the board of KMHA, KRHA, and PSKTF. She participates in Lions and Rotary clubs on Kauaʻi. She has a passion for community service, nature and the outdoors including fishing, hiking and camping as well as cooking and traveling.