Team
Dr. Cat Baker, Ph.D., BCBA-D
CEO
Dr. Cat Baker founded Florida Children’s Institute in 2014 to make a difference for children and families coping with a wide range of behavior issues and learning disabilities. In spite of having ADHD, Dyslexia, and Anxiety, Dr. Baker earned a Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Florida, an M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis & Developmental Disabilities from Auburn University, a B.S. in Psychology from the University of North Florida, and a B.S. in Health & Exercise Science from Wake Forest University. She is passionate about helping children and families who “don’t fit in the box” or who have “brains that work differently” to reach their potential because of her own personal experience.
When she’s not working, she loves spending time with her son, John David, camping and hiking, going to the beach, and watching college basketball.
Clinical Staff
Alexa Toevs, M.Ed., BCBA
Assistant Clinical Director
Alexa Toevs has been practicing in the field Applied Behavior Analysis since 2018. Prior to that she earned a bachelor’s degree from Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania in Recreation Management concentrated in Therapeutic Recreation and a minor in Psychology. Her career started in mental health working with adults with mental illness. She then entered the world of ABA through her passion for helping children and families. She obtained her master’s in Special Education concentrated in Applied Behavior Analysis from the University of North Florida. Alexa joined the team at FCI in June of 2021 as a master’s level RBT and has since been certified through the Board of Behavior Analysis as a BCBA. Her experience before FCI included serving children of varied abilities with ASD working on communication, social, and daily living skills, and problem behavior management. She loves sharing her knowledge of the field to promote positive behavior change in her clients. When out of the office, she enjoys spending time visiting friends and family, crafting, being outside, listening to true crime podcasts and audiobooks, and spoiling her cat, Leo.
Kristi Jeffery, MA, BCBA
Case Manager
Kristi Jeffery has been practicing Applied Behavior Analysis since 2010. She originally studied speech pathology as an undergraduate at the University of Florida. Through work experience and learning more about the field of psychology, she found that her true passion for helping children and their families was in Applied Behavior Analysis. She then obtained her Master’s Degree from the University of Maryland Baltimore County in 2015 while working at the Kennedy Krieger Institute, treating severe problem behavior. She then expanded her career by working with younger children on challenging behavior, early learner skills, and social skills. Kristi is passionate about teaching others about ways to help them reach their truest potential. When Kristi is not working, she enjoys being outside and spending quality time with her husband, two children, and two dogs.
Raina Smith, MS, RMHCI
Mental Health Counselor
Raina began as an intern at FCI in August of 2021 and was hired on as a mental health counselor in August of 2022. She graduated from the University of West Florida in December of 2018 with a bachelor’s in degree in Psychology and minor in English. She then attended the Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master’s program at Jacksonville University in 2020 and graduated in the summer of 2022. In her spare time, Raina enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing with her dog, and traveling.
Adriana Vargas-Acevedo
Lead Registered Behavior Technician
Adriana began working with FCI as an Intern in early 2019 and was hired on as an RBT in August of that year. Adriana was promoted to Lead RBT in August 2021. She graduated from the University of North Florida in Spring 2022 with a bachelor’s degree in Child Psychology. Adriana takes joy in seeing kids develop a better sense of independence when it comes to problem solving, and taking part in the growth process for those children and their families. When she’s not working, she likes spending time with her 2 cats, reading, and learning new crafts, such as ceramics, painting, and drawing.
Adalyn Graham
Registered Behavior Technician
Adalyn first joined the FCI team as an intern in the beginning of 2022, then began as an RBT in August 2022. She graduated from the University of North Florida in Spring 2022 with a Bachelor’s in Child Psychology and a minor in Spanish. Adalyn enjoys learning all about her clients to build a strong relationship and help them grow in and out of the clinic. When she’s not in the clinic, Adalyn enjoys spending time indoors with a puzzle, or practicing yoga and journaling.
Administrative Staff
Jamie Manville-Estes
Executive Assistant & Brand Marketing Manager
Jamie Manville-Estes has worked in the administrative side of mental healthcare since 2020, and joined FCI in February 2022 as an Executive Assistant & Brand Marketing Manager. Jamie graduated from the University of Florida in 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and spent several years broadening her skills in various roles including retail management, office administration, and event coordination. She has a passion for making mental health information easily accessible for busy parents and hopes she can bring some joy to your day along the way. Originally from Florida, Jamie lives in Seattle, WA, with her husband. When she is not working, she enjoys cooking, reading, and playing video games.