Stacey Salvato joined Common-Sense Solutions in August of 2023 after retiring from a 35-year nursing career caring for hospitalized children. She became interested in children with disabilities after her daughter’s Autism diagnosis, and began the process of learning to advocate for individuals with special needs. In seeking out community programs to enrich her daughter’s social opportunities, Stacey gained experience in guiding young people with different abilities while helping them practice living skills such as cooking, crafting and socializing, as well as participating in sporting activities.

While employed at UC Davis Health Systems in Sacramento, California, Stacey developed a two-day educational symposium to educate staff and community on autism and best care practices in caring for the hospitalized child with autism. She also created an assessment tool designed to recognize potential behavioral triggers, as well as identifying a child’s unique communication styles and strengths; both aspects of the tool were used to tailor hospital care for children with autism. Stacey presented this assessment tool in 2012 at a national pediatric nursing conference in Boston, Massachusetts. Another of Stacey’s developments is a “Care Binder” program that allowed families to organize vital medical information during ongoing treatment. Her “Care Binder” project took third prize in 2014 at a national pediatric conference in Washington, DC.

Stacey earned an associate degree in nursing at Golden West Junior College, then completed her bachelor’s degree at California State University, Fullerton. During her time working at UC Davis Health Systems, she completed a two-year program called “Rising Nurse Leadership,” receiving multiple awards in recognition of excellent performance, as well as contributing to the training of many new nursing graduates.

Volunteering at a local food bank, Stacey continues to help those in need, and is interested in fighting for the rights of others. As a goal-oriented person herself, she is focused on assisting individuals meet their own needs and goals.