Hi, My name is Clarice Felipe Dionisio. From the time I was six years old, I knew children would be a part of my life. Growing up in a Filipino household with my parents and younger brother, we remained close to our extended family. There were always children around, and being one of the oldest, I consider my memories with them a gift- lessons that have instilled a deep compassion and understanding for young children.
My life’s work has been dedicated to promoting a better world for children and their families. I earned my bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in Psychology with an emphasis in Applied Developmental Psychology. I immersed myself in the study of child development, early childhood education, special education, and counseling as I worked with infant through adolescent-aged children in UCLA’s Infant Development Program (IDP) and Neuropsychiatric Institute. I became a behavior therapist for autistic children and children with varying developmental delays and later pursued a master’s degree in Early Childhood Education from Loyola Marymount University (LMU). I worked as a Child Development Teacher at UCLA’s IDP for children 0-3 years old, and later became a teacher at the LMU Children’s Center (LMUCC) for children ages 0-6 years old. Later, I served as the Site Supervisor and Curriculum Coordinator for LMUCC’s infant and toddler program, training and educating teachers, parents, and student interns on how to integrate state licensing requirements and guidelines from the National Association for Education of Young Children (NAEYC) to promote and model high-quality care for all children.
After the birth of my child and encountering the struggles many first-time mothers experience, I witnessed the need for positive support for new parents, especially among new mothers, and pursued my license in lactation and breastfeeding from the International Board of Lactation Consultants and Examiners (IBLCE). Serving as Lactation Consultant and Community Educator at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center (PSJMC), I educated and provided help to mothers, children, and their support systems on the skills, techniques, and art of breastfeeding.
In my continued mission to advocate for young children and strengthen the parent and child relationship, I introduced early childhood education to the hospital by forming The Connection Group, which served as a learning environment and support group for parents and their children ages 0-2 years old. It was the first and only one of its kind among the Providence ministries that was geared towards the promotion of lifelong learning skills for children. Serving an average of 500 people a month, the program worked to provide a unique blend of parent education, support, and child-directed learning.
The Connection Group opened my eyes to the needs of the community. What began as a parent and child group turned into what is now AutumnLife Reflective Parenting. My purpose remains the same: to educate parents and professionals on how to apply research-based practices within the child’s daily routines and elevate care using practical strategies to build a trusting and connected relationship. Children need confident leaders to guide and support them throughout their development, and AutumnLife Reflective Parenting aims to help all parents and professionals on this significant journey.
