Jenny Montagner, M.S., CCC-SLP, FSL – Director, Speech-Language Pathologist
Jenny Montagner is a Speech-Language Pathologist and the Clinical Director of Kids Chat Therapy. She received her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Florida International University in 1998 and then went on to obtain her Master of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Nova Southeastern University in 2002. She always knew that she wanted to focus her career on helping children with special needs. She worked in various private practices, hospitals and schools where she gained extensive experience treating children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, auditory processing disorder, language disorder, speech and oral motor disorders and augmentative and alternative communication. Jenny takes pride in learning new therapy strategies to further help her patients reach their maximum potential. She has training in PROMPT-Level II, Lindamood Bell programs, Braidy, Kaufman Series, Floortime / DIR, LAMP, Beckman oral motor, and Auditory Processing. She specializes in treating children with motor speech disorders, auditory processing disorder and Autism. She enjoys developing research based therapeutic and preventative programs for her patients. Since 2005, Jenny has worked with the local public charter schools where she has gained extensive knowledge about the IEP and RTI processes. She maintains the Certificate of Clinical Competency from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She serves as a supervisor for students working to obtain their Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Nova Southeastern University, Florida International University, Carlos Albizu University and other out of state institutions. She has served as a member of the Communication Sciences and Disorders advisory board for Florida International University and as an offsite clinical supervisor and instructor for Carlos Albizu University. She recognizes the importance of continuing education and takes great pride in using a multi-disciplinary team approach to help her patients succeed.
Ivelisse Hernandez-Obeso, M.S., CCC-SLP – Assistant Clinical Director
Ivy Hernandez-Obeso received a Bachelor of Science degree in Special Education and a Master of Science degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from Florida International University. She started her career as a Pre-K Exceptional Student Education teacher for 3 and a half years. In 2007, she joined the Kids Chat family. Ivy holds the Certificate of Clinical Competency from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She works closely with children and their families to encourage language development and stimulation in the therapy setting and most importantly in the natural environment. She serves as a clinical supervisor for students working to obtain their Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Florida International University. Ivy strives to keep current in her therapy techniques to maximize the benefits to her patients.
Barbara Navarro, M.S., CCC-SLP – Assistant Outreach Program Director
Barbi Navarro received her Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology with a minor in business administration and her Master of Science degree in communication Sciences and Disorders from Florida International University. She began her career as a speech language pathologist assistant under Jenny’s mentorship, joining the Kids Chat Therapy family in 2006. Barbi maintains her Certificate of Clinical Competency from the American Speech Language Hearing Association and her independent license from the Florida Department of Health. Barbi has worked for the past 7 years in our local public charter schools allowing her to obtain great knowledge about the IEP and RTI process. Barbi strongly believes in providing individualized therapy and participates in numerous continuing education programs which allow her to do so. Barbi has training in PROMPT, Lindamood Bell programs, Braidy, LAMP and Beckman oral motor. Along with her colleagues, Barbi serves as a clinical supervisor for students working to obtain their Master of Science degree in Speech language pathology from Florida International University.
Yesenia Reyes, M.S., CCC-SLP – Speech-Language Pathologist
Yesenia “Didi” Reyes received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from the University of South Florida. Didi furthered her education by earning a Master of Science degree in Speech Language Pathology from Nova Southeastern University. She began her career serving children with various exceptionalities in 2010 as a behavior therapist and speech language pathologist assistant. In 2014, she joined the Kids Chat family as a graduate clinician under the mentorship of Jenny and Ivy. Shortly thereafter, she was given the opportunity to work as a full time speech language pathologist, serving the local charter schools and private clinic population. She provides dynamic, multi-modal therapy to children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, speech and motor disorders, and language disorders. In addition, Didi is PROMPT Level II trained and continues to educate herself on new therapeutic approaches. Didi holds her Certificate of Clinical Competency from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. She serves as a clinical supervisor for students working to obtain their Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from Florida International University, Nova Southeastern University, Carlos Albizu University, as well as other out of state universities.
Gabriela Pérez, M.A., CCC-SLP – Speech-Language Pathologist
Gaby Perez received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from Florida International University. She then went on to persue her Master of Arts degree in Speech Language Pathology from Indiana University, as part of the bilingual STEPS (Speech Therapy Education, Practicum, and Services for Latino Children and Families) track. Through the STEPS program at IU, she received research-based academic training which included courses that focus on serving Latino children and families. In addition, Gaby had the opportunity to participate in clinical/field experiences with Latino children with a focus on implementing a multicultural perspective and advocacy for the clients and their families. In 2015, she came back to Miami to complete her pediatric externship under the mentorship of Didi and Jenny. Following externships, she was offered the opportunity to join the Kids Chat team as a full time speech language pathologist. Gaby provides services to the Miami-Dade charter schools and the private clinic population. She has experience working with bilingual children with language disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder, speech and motor speech disorders, and fluency. Gaby is PECS trained and continues to value evidence-based practice approaches according to the individual needs of her patients. Gaby holds her Certificate of Clinical Competency from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. When not servicing pediatric clients, Gaby can be found providing treatment to adult and geriatric populations at an acute inpatient rehabilitation hospital.
