Meet the firms lay representative practitioners

Crystal Taylor Mecartea serves as the Agency Chief Administrator of Lay Advocacy Services at the National Center for Vulnerable Communities (NCVC), bringing over 18 years of experience in advocacy, licensing, compliance, and program development supporting individuals with disabilities and other vulnerable populations across the United States. Her work bridges social services, behavioral health systems, and administrative law, reflecting a lifelong commitment to justice, equity, and systems-level reform. Crystal stepped into her leadership role with a clear purpose—to address the urgent need for strong, consistent advocacy within complex healthcare systems and to ensure that individuals are not only heard, but protected. She regularly assists individuals and families in navigating complex systems including Medicaid and AHCCCS programs, Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) services, behavioral health systems, housing stability programs, and public benefits administration. Where permitted under state and federal law, she serves as a designated lay representative in administrative proceedings, advocating for procedural fairness, regulatory compliance, and informed decision-making while maintaining strict ethical and legal standards. In addition to her leadership at NCVC, Crystal works directly within the Office of Human Rights (OHR) in the Healthcare Bureau, established under Arizona Administrative Code R9-21-104 and guided by federal protections under the Social Security Act. OHR is responsible for safeguarding the rights of individuals served under Medicaid and Medicare, providing critical services including human rights protection, disability advocacy, mental health and Serious Mental Illness (SMI) advocacy, enforcement of rights, and community education. Through her dual role, she collaborates across specialized units—including Special Advocacy, Support, Conflict Resolution, Behavioral Health, and Advocacy Administration—to ensure a coordinated, person-centered approach to complex cases. Her work is informed by firsthand experience witnessing systemic gaps in care, including barriers to services, lack of transparency in appeal rights, and inadequate behavioral health support, particularly for individuals with SMI. These experiences continue to drive her mission to strengthen accountability and ensure that rights are actively upheld in practice. Crystal previously served as Chief Executive Director and Patient Rights Advocate at Arizona Family Solutions LLC (2020–2025), where she directed operations, staffing, and service delivery while leading DDD compliance initiatives and coordinating advocacy involving AHCCCS and administrative hearings. Her background also includes roles in residential licensing, recruiting, developmental services coordination, transition planning, and youth programming, reflecting extensive experience in compliance, regulatory oversight, and disability services. She holds multiple certifications, including Article 9, Life Safety Inspection, Developing Behavior Plans, and Home Study and Family Assessment, with expertise in legal research, compliance oversight, administrative documentation, and family-centered services. In addition to her professional work, Crystal serves as the authorized and personal representative for her adult son—managing his healthcare, behavioral health services, benefits, and housing—and will soon assume the role of his Power of Attorney. This lived experience deeply informs her advocacy and strengthens her commitment to protecting the rights, dignity, and stability of individuals and families. She is also the co-founder of an independent cat rescue initiative, reflecting her broader dedication to service and community impact. Through both her professional leadership and personal efforts, Crystal remains committed to advancing human rights, strengthening advocacy systems, and empowering individuals and communities to achieve meaningful and lasting outcomes.

To Contact Crystal: 

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (480)761-8138 

Sheldon Kathleen Davis is the Managing Lay Representative that has specialization in American with disabilities act also known as the ADA and fair housing matters at Mecartea and Associates PLLC With over 15 years of experience working with individuals with disabilities and mental health conditions, Sheldon brings a wealth of knowledge, dedication, and advocacy to her role. She has been actively involved with the Arizona Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD) and regularly participates in state and community events, including town hall meetings and other forums hosted by the division. Her strong presence and engagement in the disability community reflect her lifelong commitment to supporting and empowering others. In her spare time, Sheldon enjoys spending time on social media, being with her animals, and connecting with family and friends. 

Rebecca S. Mecartea serves as the Lay Representative for Texas at Mecartea & Associates, PLLC, where she also works as a Resource Advocate. She brings a strong background in mental health and disability support, combining professional knowledge with personal experience to advocate for individuals and families facing complex and vulnerable circumstances. Having firsthand experience with the Texas foster care and adoption system, Rebecca understands the challenges children and families encounter within these systems. Her lived experience fuels her passion for advocacy and strengthens her commitment to helping families navigate difficult situations with compassion, understanding, and practical support. Rebecca has a solid foundation in child development and a deep interest in human behavior, which she continues to study independently. Her long-term goal is to become a licensed counselor and therapist specializing in trauma-informed care, allowing her to further support individuals and families impacted by trauma. Since joining Mecartea & Associates, PLLC, Rebecca has focused on empowering families, assisting individuals through times of crisis, and promoting greater awareness of mental health. She is driven by a genuine desire to make a meaningful and lasting difference in the lives of those she serves.

Nevaeh Rivera serves as an Assistant Lay Representative at Mecartea & Associates PLLC, also known as the National Center for Vulnerable Communities. She works within the firm’s Disabilities Bureau, focusing on administrative advocacy and benefits-related matters affecting individuals with developmental disabilities across the United States. In this role, Nevaeh supports individuals and families navigating complex disability service systems, particularly those involving state disability human services departments. Her work centers on issues such as eligibility for services, access to community-based supports, service denials, and administrative appeals. Nevaeh assists with case development by organizing and reviewing records, gathering and submitting documentation, drafting written communications, and facilitating coordination between clients and state agencies. Where permitted by law, she also supports administrative proceedings and hearings as part of the firm’s lay representation services. She works closely with supervising representatives to ensure advocacy strategies align with Illinois statutes, administrative regulations, and agency procedures. Her approach emphasizes thorough documentation, procedural fairness, and clear communication, helping clients feel informed and supported throughout the process. Through her work in the Disabilities Bureau, Nevaeh contributes to the firm’s mission of expanding access to essential disability services, promoting fairness in administrative decision-making, and supporting individuals and families across Illinois.

Ruchi Prajapati serves as the Executive Chief Attorney for Mecartea & Associates, PLLC, providing remote compliance oversight and legal support across the firm’s practice areas. In her role, she assists with ensuring that the firm’s operations, documentation, and client service processes align with applicable local, state, and federal laws, ethical obligations, and professional standards, including safeguards designed to prevent the Unauthorized Practice of Law (UPL). With over four years of experience in contract drafting, compliance management, business law, and legal operations support, Ruchi contributes to the firm by assisting with legal research, contract preparation and redlining, compliance reviews, policy development, and the preparation of legal memoranda. She also supports attorneys with litigation preparation and case documentation while helping maintain internal procedures that promote regulatory compliance and ethical practice. As part of the firm’s compliance framework, Ruchi helps ensure that authorized representatives and non-attorney staff operate within clearly defined roles, supporting legal services while remaining in compliance with professional responsibility rules governing the practice of law Her international professional background includes legal support work involving clients and matters connected to the United States, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates, and India, where she has assisted with legal research, documentation, and contract review. She is known for her strong analytical approach, attention to detail, and ability to manage complex legal workflows with discretion and professionalism. Ruchi holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Business Law from Sardar Patel University and a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from Veer Narmad South Gujarat University. Through her work in compliance oversight and legal operations support, she contributes to maintaining the firm’s commitment to ethical practice, regulatory compliance, and high-quality legal service delivery.