Rachel Credo, MS
Rachel Credo, MS, is the founder, owner, and Chief Executive Officer of A Pathway to Autonomy, LLC (APTA). With 20 years of dedicated experience supporting individuals with developmental disabilities, Rachel has cultivated deep expertise across multiple service settings and professional roles. Her background includes work as a direct support professional, facility manager, facility administrator, and Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional (QIDP). She has also served the Westside Regional Center community as a highly respected service coordinator for 6 years.
Rachel’s leadership foundation is rooted in extensive hands‑on management experience across a variety of residential models, including ICF/DDN, ICF/DDH, and Adult Residential Facilities (ARF) at Levels 4I and 4N. She developed these skills while working with vendor agencies serving Westside Regional Center, Harbor Regional Center, and Eastern Los Angeles Regional Center. Throughout her career, Rachel has supported individuals with complex medical needs as well as those experiencing emotional and behavioral health challenges, ensuring that each person receives compassionate, individualized, and culturally responsive care.
Rachel is certified as both an Independent Facilitator and a Person‑Centered Planner. In her previous role as a service coordinator, she supported approximately 25–30 children and adults in enrolling and transitioning into California’s Self‑Determination Program. Families consistently described her as compassionate, professional, respectful, and exceptionally thorough—qualities that ensured smooth and well‑supported transitions for every participant.
In her current role as an Independent Facilitator, Rachel has continued to expand this impact. She has successfully guided more than 150 individuals through the Self‑Determination Program transition process across multiple regional centers, demonstrating her deep expertise, commitment to person‑centered practices, and strong ability to navigate complex systems on behalf of the people she serves.
Today, Rachel leads an agency that provides Independent Facilitation (IF), Supported Living Services (SLS), Independent Living Skills (ILS), and Coordinated Family Support (CFS), and Personal Assistance (PA) Services. She holds a Master of Science in Psychology with an emphasis in Mental Health Counseling and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology with an emphasis in Cognition and Instruction. Her long‑term vision is to build a highly regarded organization grounded in the principles of inclusiveness, integration, autonomy, and community belonging.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Rachel values a balanced and meaningful life. She enjoys hiking, spending time in the mountains, visiting the beach, and caring for her rescued pet, who brings joy and companionship to her daily routine. She also appreciates connecting with friends over coffee, participating in community events, and volunteering her time to causes that align with her commitment to service. These personal passions help her stay grounded, energized, and connected to the community she serves.
Drawing from her extensive experience, academic background, and commitment to person‑centered values, Rachel is confidently leading a strong internal team that delivers consistent, reliable, and high‑quality support to clients, families, and the broader community.
Rachel, the founder of APTA, fully upholds Benjamin Franklin’s principle and famous quote: "Well done is better than well said."