Jacqueline B. Estrada
CEO/Founder
Jacqueline B. Estrada
Master's in Public Administration- Student, Specializing in Leadership
From Calipatria, CA, I served as a paramedic for 10 years in both Imperial and San Diego Counties.
I retired in 2014 to focus on my son and daughter’s special needs and their success, which inspired me to found Best S.T.E.P. Forward in 2018.
Best S.T.E.P. Forward began under Calipatria PAL with 14 children and has expanded to three locations, now serving up to 500 youth annually throughout Imperial County.
My team and I established the first locally developed ABA agency focused on supporting families. We foster a culture that values balance between home and therapy life. Our services are designed to meet each child's needs, rather than prioritizing profit, and I am deeply proud of this achievement as a parent who once experienced ABA therapy at home five days a week and was forced into unbelievable hours to receive services.
Developed the first Adaptive Soccer and Flag Football league in Imperial County with 160 athletes strong. Expanded adaptive baseball to a league of 190. Began introductory-level dance inclusive programs.
Since we began, we have worked hard to create no-cost programs for families. By keeping our promises, we became the first social recreation vendor in Imperial County through San Diego Regional Center. We also seek outside funding, making fee waivers accessible to families who do not qualify through SDRC payment services.
Driven by our mission, we have created jobs for 60 Imperial Valley residents and recruited BCBAs from San Diego County and beyond. My proudest achievement is creating employment opportunities for the neurodivergent community. We have built a strong workforce of differently abled staff, fulfilling my goal for BSF: not only to create safe spaces, but also to help self-advocates secure jobs with livable wages.
My message to our community is to Dream It and Build It. The biggest barrier we can create for ourselves is not believing we can make the impossible possible.
