About Us
LAUNCH understands the needs of exceptional children and their families. With a complete staff of professionals and volunteers, we are here to provide support for the children and their caregivers through individual and group therapy services, parent support groups and religious education.
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Chantelle B. Varnado, PhD, CCC-SLP
Dr. Varnado completed her Bachelor's (1999) and Master's (2001) degree at Southeastern Louisiana University and her PhD from Louisiana State University (2015) in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She has 19 years experience in the treatment of children with developmental disabilities in Livingston Parish Public Schools, at Children's Hospital of Virginia at Virginia Commonwealth University, and Launch. Her research interests include treatments addressing speech breathing in children with cerebral palsy.
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Katelyn Schexnaildre, OT
Katelyn graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology from ULM in 2009. She was a certified elementary educator for grades 1-5 from 2009-2011. She returned to ULM to pursue her associate degree in occupational therapy and graduated May 2012. She practiced in adult inpatient rehabilitation with various diagnoses such as traumatic brain injuries, cerebral vascular accidents, orthopedic injuries, and spinal chord injuries. She has also practiced in outpatient pediatric clinics, pre-schools, and Pat Walker’s Children’s House for Abused and Neglected children while a resident in Fayetteville, AR. She returned to Louisiana to pursue her master’s degree in occupational therapy and was a member of the first graduating class of master’s of occupational therapy from ULM in December 2015.
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Katy Bunch, SLP
Katy received her bachelors degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2016 from Southeastern Louisiana University, and her masters degree in 2019 from Southeastern University. She has clinical experience with medically fragile children, autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, various neurological conditions, feeding and swallowing difficulties, and speech/language delays. Katy has also completed 16 hours of continuing education in the area of pediatric feeding. Katy believes early intervention is the key to success, and is dedicated to helping each child reach his or her greatest potential.
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Jessica Fradella, COTA
Jessica graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from Louisiana State University in 2018. She worked as a therapy technician in an outpatient adult rehabilitation facility for 1 year. Jessica returned to school to pursue her associate’s degree in occupational therapy and graduated in 2020 from Delgado Community College. She has clinical experience in adult inpatient rehabilitation, outpatient orthopedics, and outpatient pediatrics. Her 2 month clinical experience in pediatrics allowed her to work with children with developmental disabilities, autism, sensory processing, disruptive behaviors, and cerebral palsy. Jessica is dedicated to using her knowledge and skills to provide early intervention in order to help children achieve their full potential.
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Maggie Hinson, COTA
Maggie received her Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology-Exercise Science in 2018 from Southeastern Louisiana University. Maggie graduated ULM in December 2020 with her Associate’s degree in Occupational Therapy. She plans to continue her education in the future to pursue her ultimate goal of becoming an Occupational Therapist by attending ULM bridge program. Maggie believes she has a purpose to serve others by utilizing her knowledge and skill in therapeutic interventions. She has a passion for helping children and their families achieve their goals while engaging in something meaningful to the child.
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Allison Arnold, SLP
Allison received her Bachelor’s degree (2019) and Master’s degree (2021) in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Southeastern Louisiana University. Her clinical experiences include pediatric and adult outpatient care and adult inpatient care. She has experience serving pediatric populations including children with Autism Spectrum Disorders, speech sound disorders, and speech and language delays/disorders. Allison is passionate about working with children and desires to help each child reach their greatest potential through fun and meaningful therapy.
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Alex Herbert, SLP
Alex received her Bachelor’s degree (2018) and Master’s degree (2020) in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Louisiana State University. She has clinical experience serving the pediatric population with a variety of disorders such as autism spectrum disorder, genetic disorders, feeding and swallowing difficulties, speech/language delays, and participation on a multi-disciplinary cleft palate panel. She is passionate about early intervention and believes the key to success is parent involvement and multi-disciplinary collaboration.
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Rebecca Walker, SLP
Rebecca received her bachelor's degree (1998) and master's degree (2000) from Southeastern Louisiana University. She spent the firs six years of her career treating adult and geriatric populations, with a variety of communication, cognitive, and swallowing disorders, in an acute care and inpatient rehabilitation setting. Rebecca has spent the last nine (+) years working with people who have intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities. She enjoys advocating for her patients and helping them have the best quality of life possible.
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Lindsey Curry, SLP
Lindsey received her Bachelor’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders (2016) at Louisiana State University and her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology (2018) at University of Louisiana at Lafayette. She has experience serving children and adults with a variety of communication disorders. Her clinical experiences include adult and pediatric outpatient care, as well as adult inpatient care. Lindsey enjoys collaborating with other therapy disciplines, as well as the child’s caregivers, in order to help a child reach success.
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Brianna Fasullo, DPT
Brianna graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and a minor in Business Administration from Louisiana State University in 2018. Brianna graduated with her Doctorate degree in Physical Therapy from Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University in 2021. She has clinical experience in pediatric and adult outpatient care and adult inpatient care. She has experience working with various pediatric populations including children with Torticollis, Cerebral Palsy, Idiopathic Toe Walking, Gross Motor Developmental Delay, Autism, and various other orthopedic impairments. |
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Leah McDaniel, OT
Leah graduated with an associate degree in occupational therapy from ULM in 2015. She worked as a certified occupational therapy assistant (COTA) for 3 years in multiple settings including inpatient rehab, SNF, and pediatric outpatient. Throughout her time working as a COTA, she gained her Bachelor’s degree in Health Studies Marketing/Management and went on to OT school. In the fall of 2019, OT school led her to a fieldwork position at Launch Therapy Center, where she fell in love with the staff and children. She’s been here ever since! Leah believes that building trust and personal relationships with the children and families is the best way to truly help them reach their potential and live their most independent and successful lives.
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Tina Joiner
Tina has been in the medical field since 2004. She has worked in chiropractics, family practice and psychiatry. She’s worked with the foster care system for several years to help children achieve permanency in safe and loving homes. During that time she has gained valuable experience in helping children with special needs access medical services. She had a sister with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus who greatly influenced the passion she has for helping children and families. Her extensive insurance and billing knowledge allow her to assist families by helping them get the most of their benefits. She joined the Launch team in May of 2018 as our office manager.
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Cheri Fry, SLP
Cheri earned her undergraduate degree at the Southeastern Louisiana University (1985) and holds a Master’s degree in Speech Language Pathology from Louisiana State University (1988). Cheri brings her 30 year experience working as a Speech Pathologist in the local school system to her current role at LAUNCH. For 15 years Cheri participated on the Child Search team conducting transdisciplinary diagnostic assessments for preschoolers. Her experience in public schools allows her to assist parents during the transition into school programs, assist parents during the IEP process, and to collaborate with the child’s school-based clinician.
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Danielle Roblin, OT
Danielle graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Therapy from LSUHSC in 2003. She has exclusively worked with the pediatric population for the past 13 years in both outpatient and home health settings. She has experience serving children with many different diagnosis, including Autism, Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, Sensory Modulation Disorder, Feeding Disorders, Hydrocephalus, and other neurological impairments. She has also served as a team member of the Infant, Child, and Family Center, which serves children birth to six years old, who have been prenatally exposed to alcohol and/or other drugs.
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Ashlie Erwin, SLP
Ashlie received her bachelor's degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders in 2005 from Louisiana State University and her master's degree in 2008 from Southeastern Louisiana University. She has spent the 13 years of her career treating the pediatric population in the local public-school setting. She has spent the last 4 years providing PRN speech therapy services at Launch. Ashlie believes in the importance of early intervention and the implementation of functional life skills within and outside the clinical setting. Her goal is to help her patients have the best quality of life possible. When not providing therapy, Ashlie enjoys spending time with her husband and sons. |
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Jill Broussard, PT
Jill graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Physical Therapy from Cal State Long Beach in 1990 and relocated to Louisiana in 1992. She has specialized in pediatrics for the past 12 years. While working as an Early Interventionist she serves the birth to three population and is especially fond of medically fragile children. Her caseload includes Down Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Pediatric Stroke, Prematurity and Developmental Delay. When she isn’t helping children meet their physical therapy goals she enjoys spending time with her seven wonderful children.
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Jade Coxe
Jade earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Kinesiology from Southeastern Louisiana University in the Fall of 2019. She is an integral part of the Launch team! She has a servants heart and enjoys helping the community. In her spare time Jade enjoys traveling and selling real estate. |
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Jordan Johnson
Jordan is a recent graduate of Medical Training College and has a diploma in Medical Office Health and Information Technician. At Launch, she works as our Patient Care Coordinator supporting billing, scheduling, and maintaining HIPAA Regulations. Jordan spends her spare time enjoying her two beautiful girls. |
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Michelle Landry
Michelle received her CPC through AAPC in 2016 and has been with Launch since. She is our insurance precertification specialist. Michelle's experience working with children in the childcare setting is what inspires her to advocate for our patients. She is an active member of our community and resides in Watson with her husband and daughter. |
MORE THAN THERAPY SERVICES
LAUNCH provides high-quality evidence-based practices conveniently located for the residents of Livingston Parish and surrounding areas. This enables children to participate in optimal therapy, academic, and family time.