Our Team
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
Our team consists of talented and experienced individuals who dedicate their time on giving back to the community. Our staff have a passion for helping people overcome life's disparities. Director Paul and his personable, professional staff are here to assist and make every experience comfortable and stress-free.
Paul Thao
Executive Director
Paul is the current Executive Director of Merced Lao Family Community, Inc. Paul has over 25 years of experience working with the Southeast Asian community and began working for MLFC in the early 1990s. Paul is a polyglot, he is fluent in Hmong, Lao, Thai, Mien and English.
Maly Thao
SEACAP: Peer Support Coordinator/Office Manager
Maly is the Secretary and Women peer support group coordinator. Maly has over 20 years of experience working with the Southeast Asian community and began working with Merced Lao Family Community, Inc. in the early 2000s.
Dr. Ko Fang
Clinical Psychologist
Ko is Merced Lao Family Community, Inc. Clinical Psychologist. Dr. Ko Fang is a Sacramento native and provides consultation, rehabilitation, case management and individual and group therapy.
Jenny Vang
SEACAP Secretary
Jenny is the Southeast Asian Consumer Advocacy Program Secretary. Jenny serves all clients that are related to mental health and schedules appointment. Jenny has many years of experience working with the Southeast Asian Community through her prior work experience.
Kai Moua
Case Manager
Kai is the Case Manager, who oversees the day-to-day general service, application, translation, interpretation clients. Kai formally worked in accounting and is trilingual. He speaks Lao, Hmong, and English.
Keng Chang
Bookkeeper
Keng has been with Merced Lao Family Community, Inc. For over 7 years. Keng is responsible for handling all data entry and financial data that pertains to Merced Lao Family.
Ye Thao
SEACAP Case Manager
. Ye is the SEACAP Manager who handles the case management clients that relate to mental health. Ye attained his Bachelor of Science from the University of Devry.
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Kelly Lia Vang
PEI Cultural Broker
Kelly is the coordinator for the prevention & early intervention program (PEI). She provides education and knowledge about mental health. Kelly attained her BS Degree from California State University, San Jose.
I-Rin Satchacharoenwong
Integrated Primary Care Case Manager
I-rin is the Integrated Primary Care Case Manager for Merced Lao Family Community, Inc. I-rin primary task combines medical and behavioral health services to more fully address the spectrum of problems that patients bring to the primary medical care. Irin is a former nurse from Bangkok.
Krista Xiong
CRDP Project Coordinator
Krista coordinates the California Reducing Disparities Project. Her job consists of identifying a focus group and implementing strategies and practices in order to reduce mental health disparities. She is a graduate of CSU Stanislaus.
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Gao Chang
Police Community Aid
Gao is the Police Community Aid at Merced Lao Family Community, Inc. Gao acts as a bridge between the Southeast Asian community and Merced Police Department. Gao also translate at city council meetings. He has prior work experience with the city police department and has over 20 years of experience working with the Southeast Asian community.
Mary Vang
Stop The Hate
Coordinator
Mary is the Community Safety Aid for Merced Lao Family Community, Inc. She brings awareness & helps reduce the stigma left behind from COVID-19 against the Asian community.
Kongpheng Thao
COVID-19 Mitigation Coordinator
Kongpheng is the COVID-19 Mitigation Coordinator. His primary task is to educate and teach the community about the aftermath of COVID-19. Currently, he is still offering COVID-19 test and workshops that include healthcare professionals. KP is currently a student at UC Merced.
Kevin Lor
Youth Coordinator
Kevin is the Youth Program Coordinator. Kevin brings a vast knowledge of expertise to the youth. He holds monthly meetings about topics related to financial literacy to mental health. Kevin obtained his Bachelor's Degree at CSU Stanislaus.
Joey Chang
Youth Counselor
Joey is the Youth Counselor, his task includes reaching out to the Youth one-on-one and hosting monthly meetings. Establishing a SEA youth Prescence in the city of Merced. Joey is a student at UC Merced studying Enviromental Engineering.
Emily Moua
Stop The Hate
Associate
Emily is an STH staff member; she handles individual case management that relate to hate crimes and hate incidents. She also provides educational presentations to local high schools, and community partners. Emily holds her Bachelor of Arts from CSU Stanislaus.
Chue Wang Xiong
Peer Support Coordinator
Chue is the Men Peer Support group coordinator. Chue Wang Xiong has over 20 years of experience working with the Southeast Asian community and has been a Merced Lao Family Community, Inc. staff since his time in the early 2000s.
Fong Chang
SEACAP Driver
Fong is a longtime staff member at Merced Lao Family Community, Inc. having been with the organization for over five years. Prior to Fong's employment he volunteered and has always had a strong work ethic and continues to set an example for others.
Lee Vang
HEAR US: Project Coordinator
Lee is the project coordinator for the HEAR US program; Lee oversees activities for peer support services and is responsible for creating a culturally tailored program for the Southeast Asian elders.
Jonathan Chang
CRDP Staff
Jonathan is the Peer Support Specialist, Jonathan is a well-known community member and has experience working with men and woman before. His goal is to build a culturally tailored peer support for the SEA community of Merced.
Jessica Thao
HEAR US: Peer Support Specialist
Jessica is the Peer Support Specialist; her roles include hosting peer support groups. Jessica will implement a culturally tailored support plan for the SEA community and plan weekly activities for the group.
Chayeng Lee
Work Experience Trainee
Chayeng is a trainee working through Worknet on a 6-month work experience program. Chayeng has prior experience working as a Sound Engineer.
