Our Staff
Margie Diaz, MSW
Margie Diaz is a Clinical Social Worker and earned her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Southern California in 1997 and also received her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and Behavioral Science from Concordia University in Irvine, California in 1990. She has extensive training in Chemical Dependency, Child Abuse and Neglect, Case Management, Crisis Intervention and Suicide/Homicide Risk Assessment. Margie has over 19 years experience in a variety of settings working with youth and their families in the Orange County. She has worked in psychiatric hospitals, community mental health centers and other juvenile programs. She has provided individual and group counseling for children, adolescents and families, facilitated support groups, case management, and specialized in crisis intervention and assessments. Margie is married and the proud mother of Triplets!!!
Duane Durst, MFT
Duane Durst has been a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist since 1999. He has worked in the field of Chemical Dependency and Recovery for over 20 years. He has worked in several capacities during this time and gained much experience as a private clinician, Program Director, and Clinical Director of recovery-based programs throughout Orange County. The main of his focus is working with adolescents and their parents. Duane received his Bachelors Degree from the University of Southern California in Psychology and his Masters Degree from The Professional School of Psychological Studies in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling. He has studied Eastern and Western Religions for over 25 years and is able to utilize this knowledge in working with adolescents and their families. Duane also has been a keynote speaker for several organizations at forums, conferences, and high school assemblies on the critical issues facing youth and their families today.
Leslie Fahs
Leslie Fahs graduated from Chapman University in 2000, majored in Spanish and minored in Criminal Justice. After interning with the Orange County Probation Department she became employed as a Criminal Diversion Program Coordinator. For the last seven years Leslie has been working with minors with who have drug, alcohol, and delinquency issues. Leslie is currently obtaining her masters in social work from California State University Long Beach.
Jeremy Tom
Jeremy Tom graduated from Concordia University in Irvine, California in 2000 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and a minor in Anthropology in the program of Social Work. Jeremy has been working in the field of juvenile diversion since 1999. Since then, he has seen a growing need throughout the community for continued drug education & intervention for teenagers & their families. Other than his work in juvenile diversion services, Jeremy has worked with a local municipal police department & is a former US Naval officer. Currently, he works full-time at a local hospital in Orange that specializes in adolescent drug rehabilitation. He is also a proud husband & enjoys being a new father of one at this time.
Mercedes Baeza
Mercedes has been working for JADE, Decisions, and Project Today for the past 3 years as an Interpreter, where she enjoys helping our Spanish speaking families. She also works for Tustin Unified School District as a Bilingual Tester Technician. She has a wonderful husband and two beautiful boys, ages 15 and 11.
Jeremy O'Conner, MSW
Jeremy began working with chemically dependent adolescents in 1999. He graduated with a Master in Social Work degree in 2005 from California State University, Long Beach and has practiced a multi-disciplinary approach in the treatment of the chemically dependent and those with mental illness. Jeremy enjoys working with adolescents and their families as they begin the healing process of dealing with the disease of substance dependence.
Peter Hilen, MA
Peter graduated from Alliant international University in 2005 with a Masters in Marriage and Family Therapy. Since graduating he has specialized in the field on Adolescent and family chemical dependency. He is currently on staff at Chapman Medical Center, Saddleback Community College, and Breakaway Health Inc. Pete is dedicated to helping adolescents and their families grow through overcoming the obstacles associated with drugs and alcohol.