Meet Us

Hello! I'm Ms. Taylor, your Behavioral Health Specialist.

A little bit about me, I've worked for MCOE since 2019 and have loved every minute of it! Before I worked here, I worked with homeless and foster youth in in Phoenix, AZ and then I moved to Merced. As your Behavioral Health Specialist, I can provide mental health counseling, group counseling and provide social emotional support as you navigate some of the more challenging aspects life. I am specifically trained Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Victim Advocate, so if you or someone you know is experiencing or has experienced any of those things, I am happy to talk with you, listen to your story and help you identify options for your specific situations. Overall, I'm here to help you all any way you need. Whether that's someone to talk to about how hard things are right now or someone to celebrate with because things couldn't be better! However I can help you, I am here. I hope to get to know all of you very soon!

Available Monday-Friday 7:30am-3:30pm

Text or Call me at (209) 325-8204

Email me at talandzes@mcoe.org

Hola!

I’m Susana Cruz, your new Youth Engagement Specialist. You can call me Mrs. Cruz or Mrs. Susana. I was born and raised in Merced and graduated from Golden Valley High School in 2009. I’m proud to be the first-generation college graduate in my family, having earned my degree from California State University, Sacramento in 2014. Over the past decade, I’ve had the privilege of working with diverse student populations, including those from underserved communities. My commitment has always been to create opportunities for growth and success, and I’m passionate about supporting and inspiring young individuals to reach their full potential. In my role as a Youth Engagement Specialist, I’ll be developing and implementing programs designed to foster personal growth through engaging activities and initiatives. This includes organizing workshops and creating mentorship opportunities, particularly for those who might need extra encouragement and resources to thrive. My goal is to empower students by providing them with the tools and opportunities they need to make a positive impact. Additionally, I’ll be overseeing the student store, so remember to earn those points from your teacher so you can shop here! I’m excited to get started and look forward to working with you all!

Available: Monday - Friday 7:30 am to 3:30 pm

Email: scruz@mcoe.org

Office #: (209) 381-4550 ext. 5843

Hi all! 

My name is Julie Carmona, your Behavioral Health Specialist. You can call me Ms. Julie. I graduated from CSU Stanislaus with a BA in Psychology in 2020, and then with a MS in Psychology, with a Concentration in Counseling/Marriage and Family Therapy in 2022. I am a Registered Associate Marriage and Family Therapist (AMFT).  I have experience working with diverse populations including individuals who are unhoused, individuals struggling with substance use and co-occurring mental health disorders, youth in school settings, and adults. I have experience providing individual, family, and group therapy.  

I truly love what I do. I am passionate about providing a safe and empathetic space for individuals to express and process emotions. At MCOE, I will be providing individual and group therapy to students experiencing mental and behavioral health struggles. My hope is that all students I work with feel heard, validated, and cared for. Life can be hard, and sometimes just having a compassionate person to talk to can make a really big difference. 

 I look forward to meeting you!

Available: Monday - Friday 7:30 am to 3:30 pm

Email: jcarmona@mcoe.org

Office #: (209) 381-4550, ext. 5804