Fighting Back

  • Who We Are
    • From the Executive Director
    • Staff and Board of Directors
    • Bylaws, Legal and Financial Information
  • Reduction
    • Drug Free Coalition
    • Strengthening Families
    • Every 15
    • Free 4 The Weekend
    • Youth Action Group
  • Resilience
    • Community Resilience Model
    • Foundations For Success
    • Students in Transition
    • Check, Connect, Respect
  • Restoration
    • Restorative Approach
    • Implicit Bias
    • Conflict Resolution and Mediation
  • Resources
    • Nurturing Skills For families
    • Parent Project
    • Joven Noble
    • Parenting Class Calendar
  • Contact
  • Donate

Staff and Board of Directors

Administrative

  • Edwin Weaver MSW

    Executive Directoredwin@fbsmv.com

    Edwin Weaver and his family came to the central coast in 2010 to serve the community as a Child Welfare Supervisor. As the Supervisor of the Assessments and Investigations Unit he saw families devastated by the impact of Drugs, Alcohol and Gang Violence. Although he still believes in the mission and importance of Child Welfare, in the position of Executive Director of Fighting Back Edwin saw an opportunity to prevent some of the situations he witnessed at Child Welfare.

    Edwin earned a Master’s in Social Welfare from UCLA and a Master’s of Theology from Fuller Seminary. Edwin has served as a pastor, a social worker, family pastor, school counselor, mentor and youth worker. His whole career has centered around helping families that are in trouble. He has dedicated his life to helping families and is committed to helping families who are not being successful find their way.

    Currently Edwin serves on the Governor’s Children’s Justice Act Task Force, Santa Barbara County Board for Alcohol and Drug Problems. The District Attorney’s Human Trafficking Task Force, Co-Chair of the Santa Maria School Attendance Review Board, Board member of Martha’s Meals, and is the Tobacco Use Prevention Education Coordinator for Santa Barbara County Education office.

    Edwin is married to Julie a teacher and they have three children: Jake, Grace and Ean. Edwin and his family live in Santa Maria. Their favorite activities are going to the beach for some surfing, kayaking and stand up paddle boarding or gardening in their backyard and watching their dog Volley and chickens play with each other.

  • Dawnette Smith

    Programs Directordawnette@fbsmv.com

    Dawnette Smith is the Programs Director for Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley. In this position, she is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of all FBSMV programs and services.

    Prior to her employment with Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley, Dawnette worked in the real estate field and managed a small construction business along with her husband. During this time, Dawnette tragically lost her sister due to a drunk driving car crash, which has greatly affected her life. Through her loss she has committed to make a difference in the lives of others, which in turn has developed into a great strength for her.

    Dawnette has worked in the Human Services field for nearly six years with a focus on prevention. She is passionate about the mission and services that Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley provides. She is invested in the long-term success and progressive improvement of the services we provide to families in our community.

    Her personal strengths combined with her professional experience have proven to be a great asset to her in her work with Fighting Back Santa Maria Valley. She has managed and provided oversight on multiple projects including federally funded projects such as the STOP ACT Alcohol Prevention project, Safe School Healthy Students programs, Drug Free Community activities and many other prevention and intervention projects.

    Dawnette enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, fishing, bow shooting and boating at the local lakes.

    “All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing”  – Edmund Burke

  • Shana Pompa

    Programs Directorshana@fbsmv.com

  • Stephanie Yruegas

    Office Administratorstephanie@fbsmv.com

  • Wendy Robles

    Accounting ManagerWendy@fbsmv.com

  • Samantha Yruegas

    Development Coordinatorsamantha@fbsmv.com

SMBSD Program Staff

  • Jennifer Luna

    Truancy Prevention, Program Specialistjen@fbsmv.com

    Taylor Elementary, Rice Elementary, Ontiveros Elementary, Tunnell Elementary, and Tommie Kunst JHS

     

  • Mineyra Maldonado Guzman

    Truancy Prevention, Program Specialistmineyra@fbsmv.com

    Sanchez Elementary, Liberty Elementary, Jimenez Elementary, Libbion Elementary, and Arellanes Elementary/JHS

  • Karina Soto

    Truancy Prevention, Program Specialistksoto@fbsmv.com

    Robert Bruce Elementary, Oakley Elementary, Bonita Elementary, Fairlawn Elementary, and El Camino JHS

  • Marianna Torres

    Truancy Prevention, Program Specialistmarianna@fbsmv.com

    Alvin Elementary, Battles Elementary, Miller Elementary, Adam Elementary, and Fesler JHS

  • Sol Guerrero

    Homeless Liason, Program Specialistsol@fbsmv.com

    Sanchez Elementary, Liberty Elementary, Jimenez Elementary, Adam Elementary, Miller Elementary, Battles Elementary, Alvin Elementary, Arellanes Elementary/JHS, and Fesler JHS

  • Angelica Anguiano Alcarez

    Homeless Liason, Program Specialistangelica@fbsmv.com

    Ontiveros Elementary, Taylor Elementary, Rice Elementary, Tunnell Elementary, Robert Bruce Elementary, Oakley Elementary, Bonita Elementary, Fairlawn Elementary, Tommie Kunst JHS, and El Camino JHS

  • Natalie Castillo

    Foundations For Success, Program Specialistnatalie@fbsmv.com

    Foster Liaison services to all SMBSD schools

GUSD Program Staff

  • Maira Santos-Ramirez

    Program Specialistmaira@fbsmv.com

    Homeless Liaison, Truancy Prevention, and Foster Liaison services for all schools

SMJUHSD Program Staff

  • Chastity "CJ" Johnson

    Foundations For Success, Program Specialistcj@fbsmv.com

    Foster Youth Services and Conflict Mediation Services at Ernest Righetti High School

     

  • Steve Torres

    Foundations For Success, Program Specialiststeve@fbsmv.com

    Foster Youth Services and Conflict Mediation Services at Santa Maria High School

  • Jackie Lemus Lopez

    Foundations For Success, Program Specialistjackie@fbsmv.com

    Foster Youth Services and Conflict Mediation Services at Pioneer Valley High School

  • Regina Salazar Ibarra

    Foundations For Success, Program Specialistregina@fbsmv.com

    Foster Youth Services, Homeless Youth Services, and Conflict Mediation Services at Delta High School

  • Lisa Coker

    Homeless Liason, Program Specialistlisa@fbsmv.com

    Homeless Youth Services for PVHS, ERHS, and SMHS

  • Bianca Morales Gutierrez

    Homeless Liason, Program Specialistbianca@fbsmv.com

    Homeless Youth Services for SMHS

  • Ramiro Ruvalcaba

    Homeless Liaison, Program Specialistramiro@fbsmv.com

    Homeless Youth Services for PVHS

  • Yadira Castellanos

    Homeless Liaison, Program Specialistyadira@fbsmv.com

    Homeless Youth Services for ERHS

Homeless Transitional Aged Youth Services Program Staff

  • Tara Dove Morales

    TAY Case Managertara@fbsmv.com

  • Jocelyn Caudillo

    Street Outreach Coordinatorjocelyn@fbsmv.com

Prevention Program Staff

  • Brandie Pena

    Behavioral Wellness Coalition Coordinator, Prevention Specialistbrandie@fbsmv.com

  • Luz Hernandez-Sanabria

    SB Co. Cannabis Educator, Prevention Specialistluz@fbsmv.com

  • Monica Carrillo

    SB Co. Cannabis Educator, Prevention Specialistmonica@fbsmv.com

  • Audrey Guizar

    STD Prevention Specialistaudrey@fbsmv.com

  • Alyssa Limon

    Tobacco Preventionistalyssa@fbsmv.com

  • Gina Cortez

    TUPE Prevention Coordinatorgina@fbsmv.com

  • Brandon Salazar

    TUPE Prevention Specialist brandon@fbsmv.com

    TUPE Prevention and Education: Santa Maria

  • Leticia Robles

    TUPE Prevention Specialist leticia@fbsmv.com

    TUPE Prevention and Education: Santa Maria

  • Noe Mendez

    TUPE Prevention Specialist noe@fbsmv.com

    TUPE Prevention and Education: Mid County

  • Kimberly Panuco

    TUPE Prevention Specialist kimberly@fbsmv.com

    TUPE Prevention and Education: South County

Board of Directors

  • Luke Ontiveros, President

    Santa Maria Bonita School District, Retired Superintendent

    Luke Ontiveros began his position as SMBSD Superintendent on July 1, 2016 and retired in 2019. He led the district which has more than 17,000 preschool through 8th grade students, 1,846 employees and a budget of approximately $188 million. He was previously the superintendent of the Snowline Joint Unified School District.

    A lifelong educator, Mr. Ontiveros began his career teaching junior high language arts and history in the Snowline district, a K-12 district of 12 schools and 8,500 students in Phelan, CA. After his classroom teaching years, he became an assistant principal then a principal in Snowline. He took a position as the assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction in the Silver Valley Unified School District. Later, Mr. Ontiveros was hired as a coordinator in the Ontario-Montclair School District. He was promoted to other jobs in the Ontario-Montclair district including director of classified personnel, interim assistant superintendent for instructional services and finally the special assistant to the superintendent. In 2009, Mr. Ontiveros returned to Snowline as its assistant superintendent for human resources. He was superintendent there for three years before coming to SMBSD.

    Mr. Ontiveros was born and raised in Santa Maria. He attended Santa Maria-Bonita schools, St. Mary of the Assumption School and St. Joseph High School before earning a bachelor’s degree in history at Santa Clara University in 1984. He received his teaching credential from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and a master’s degree in organizational leadership from National University in San Diego.

  • Bob Bush, Vice President

    Orcutt Union School District, Retired Superintendent

    Bob Bush spent 42 years in the Orcutt Union School District, as a teacher at Patterson Road Elementary, Lakeview Junior High, Joe Nightingale and Pine Grove. He then went on to be Prinipal at Patterson Road Elementary and Lakeview and Assistant Superintendent and Superintendent for Orcutt Union School District. He also coached multiple sports at Lakeview and Righetti High School. Bob retired in 2014. Click here for more information on Mr. Bush.

  • Carrick Adam, M.D., Secretary

    Santa Barabara County Facilities, Medical Director, MSPH

    Dr. Adam is a Pediatrician in Santa Maria and attended Tulane University. He is a member of the American Board of Pediatrics and is affiliated with Marian Medical Center. Dr. Carrick does training for the Santa Barbara County Probation Department and has served on the Board of Allan Hancock College.

  • Alice Patino

    City of Santa Maria, Mayor

    Alice Patino has served Santa Maria for many years. She began her career as a teacher, then a board member in the public school system, and holds various leadership positions with the City of Santa Maria, where she grew up and attended Allan Hancock College. In November 2012, she was elected as Mayor, becoming the first female Mayor in Santa Maria’s history. She has service in the Rotary Club of Santa Maria, the Minerva Club, Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce, Santa Maria Valley Republicans and other groups. For more information about Ms. Patino click here.

  • Holly Edds

    Orcutt Union School District, Superintendent

    Dr. Edds has been a member of the Orcutt Union School District’s management team for the past 16 years, most recently serving as the Assistant Superintendent of Educational Services since 2010. She also served as Principal of Joe Nightingale Elementary School for six years. Prior to coming to OUSD, Dr. Edds was a teacher and administrator in San Luis Obispo County in the Paso Robles Unified School District and San Miguel Joint Union School District as well as working for the Santa Barbara County Office of Education as a Program Specialist in their Migrant Education program. She has experience teaching both regular and special education, and holds multiple teaching credentials including a reading specialist certificate.

  • Steven Funkhouser

    Starry Sky Coffee, Owner

    Starry Sky Coffee Company is a family owned and operated coffee shop located in Santa Maria California. The owners Steven and Hollie Funkhouser named the company after their daughters Skyler and Starr. Steven was born and raised here in Santa Maria and grew up watching local bands play in coffee shops along the Central Coast in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties. In late December 2008 Steven & Hollie had the opportunity to open their first Starry Sky Coffee Company centrally located in the Student Center of Allan Hancock Community College and were open for business in January 2009. Steven has served on the FBSMV Board since 2016.

  • Kevin Walthers

    Allan Hancock College, President

  • Matt Beecher

    Santa Maria-Bonita School District, Interim Superintendent

    Matt Beecher started serving as Santa Maria-Bonita School District’s interim superintendent in 2019. Beecher’s worked for the district for more than 16 years, and he served as the district’s chief business officer (assistant superintendent for business). He attended Cal Poly SLO, graduating with a bachelor’s in business administration specializing in accounting. He also has his CPA license. Before moving into the world of school finance, he spent six years in public accounting and five years working for a publicly traded company.

  • Jude Egan

    Law Offices of M Jude Egan, Owner

    M. Jude Egan, J.D., Ph.D, Certified Family Law Specialist, graduated law school at the University of California, Berkeley Boalt Hall School of Law in 2004. While working at a major international law firm in San Francisco doing civil litigation and land use work, he wrote his doctoral dissertation in Jurisprudence and Social Policy. Dr. Egan has litigated numerous cases in civil litigation and family law and enjoys a growing reputation drafting legal documents for estate planning. His practice serves English and Spanish speaking clients in Santa Maria, the Five Cities and Santa Barbara. Dr. Egan has published internationally in peer reviewed legal, trade and academic journals. He has taught disaster law, business law and Federal and state entitlements at the Louisiana State University, E.J. Ourso College of Business, where he was commended by the National Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster for his work drafting the National Nonprofit Relief Framework, by Catholic Charities USA for a policy paper ultimately adopted by the Centers for Disease Control, and for work with the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security.

  • Emilio Handall ED. D

    Guadalupe Union School District, Superintendent

  • Antonio Garcia

    Santa Maria Joint Union School District, Superintendent

    Garcia currently serves as the Santa Maria Joint Union High School District Superintendent. Garcia began his career as a high school teacher for the Whittier Union High School District before joining RUSD in 1999. He has served as an assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent of K-12 curriculum & instruction and worked for the Riverside County Office of Education. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Stanford University and a master’s degree from Brown University.

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