Meet The Team
At We Belong, we are committed to cultivating belonging. Our team is comprised of a carefully selected group of dedicated professionals who have a passion for nurturing and supporting neurodivergent children.
Program Director
Taylor Wootten She/Her
Educator, coffee enthusiast, and certified silly goose.
My passion for this work began in the summer of 2016, when I was a counselor at Camp Lakey Gap for Autistic Individuals. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of serving in a variety of roles, including direct care provider, activity director, behavior consultant, EC teacher’s assistant, and lead EC teacher. I am a proud alumnus of Western Carolina University, where I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and my Master’s degree in Special Education with a focus on the Adapted Curriculum. When I’m not working, I enjoy being creative, getting outdoors, and spending time with my loved ones. I look forward to continuing to foster an accepting, encouraging, and consistent learning environment where students of all abilities can thrive.
Support Specialist
Franny Moseley She/Them
Franny is an extremely compassionate individual who leads with their heart! Franny has been working with neurodivergent children for 7 years and hopes to continue for even longer. She found her passion for working with children by being a camp counselor at a Girl Scout camp. She is incredibly committed to helping each child know their worth and that they are valued! Franny hopes to bring that same enthusiasm and passion to We Belong, that way there’s a little bit of summer camp magic in the everyday!
Behavioral Consultant
Kara Nash, RN, ASDCS (she/her)
is an autistic registered nurse, mental health activist, author, and autism consultant. A former licensed foster parent with over 20 years of experience in inpatient mental health and private practice, Kara brings a nervous-system and trauma-aware lens to her work with neurodivergent kids and their families.
Kara’s ASDCS training—taught primarily by autistic professionals—centers autistic-led, non-behaviorist approaches and emphasizes aligning expectations with the physiological realities of autistic nervous systems.
She has provided consultation and training to organizations across Western North Carolina, including HelpMate, Buncombe County Public Schools, the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Department, Aether Psychiatric Consultants, Keystone Camp, Carolina Day School, and numerous other local service agencies.
Kara is a sought-after public speaker, a frequent podcast guest, and the creator of a growing YouTube channel focused on autism, nervous system science, and practical supports for families and providers. She is currently writing a book that blends autistic-led frameworks with her own lived experience, clinical background, and real-world examples from the individuals and families she’s served.
At We Belong, Kara supports the development of an after-school program where elementary-aged autistic children can feel safe, regulated, and genuinely understood.
She is currently not taking new clients, but you can keep up with her work and podcast appearances on her website and YouTube channel.
Behavioral Consultant
Jabbarah Andrea Jacobson (she/her)
Jabbarah - Andrea Jacobson, is the Heart-Fueled guide teaching the Nurtured Heart Approach® and setting the tone and inner wealth building foundation of We Belong. She is the founder of Heart-Fueled Tools LLC and a child-guiding specialist with 20 years of experience as an occupational therapist supporting neurodivergent youth across diverse communities. Her work blends the Nurtured Heart Approach®, nervous and sensory system education, and heart coherence and energy regulation practices into practical tools that empower children, caregivers, and educators to thrive. Andrea brings a deeply attuned, relational, and heart-centered lens to every environment, helping people and programs build coherence, connection, and emotional safety from the inside out.
FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Krista Shalda is the Founder & Executive Director of We Belong. With a background as an RN, resource consultant, advocate, and community navigator, Krista has experience with finding solutions when neurodiverse children are faced with exclusion. Her professional experience is informed by her personal journey as a mother of two boys with sensory needs. Krista has highlighted significant systemic inequities as her son experienced deep rejection in previous after school programs fueling her passion for creating an inclusive after school environment.
Leveraging her background as a Registered Nurse, Krista is particularly passionate about education and implementation of sensory and nervous system responses and accommodations. She is committed to transforming her personal trials of navigating a system that often feels isolating and exclusive, into triumphs fostering belonging and inclusion within our community.
Join Our Team!
Are you passionate about cultivating belonging for neurodiverse children? We are hiring compassionate support staff!
We Belong, a dynamic non-profit, is excited to offer unpaid internships with the potential to transition into paid roles.
This is a unique learning opportunity designed for individuals passionate about working with autistic individuals, regardless of prior experience.
At We Belong, we are dedicated to learning and evolving together with our team members, providing hands-on experience and professional skills in a supportive environment. We offer flexibility to accommodate your schedule and align with your college internship requirements.
As we expand our programs and services, we aim to create paid opportunities for dedicated interns who excel in their roles.
Join us at We Belong and embark on a rewarding journey where your efforts make a real difference. Together, we can create a more inclusive and supportive community for autistic individuals.