Lydia Ortiz is the heart behind The Village Support System Services. Born and raised on the beautiful island of Puerto Rico, Lydia has always been driven by a deep passion for service, education, and social equity. She earned two bachelor’s degrees—one in Forensic Psychology and another in Criminal Justice—from the University of Puerto Rico in Carolina, graduating cum laude in 2002.

Lydia’s professional journey began in Puerto Rico, where she held leadership roles in supervision, administration, and management. In 2010, she relocated to Orlando, Florida, where she joined a Christian academy, first as a teacher and eventually as part of the school’s administrative team. It was here that her calling to serve children more deeply began to unfold.

In 2018, Lydia stepped into the world of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) as a Registered Behavior Technician (RBT). Her experience working with children on the autism spectrum profoundly impacted her, sparking a deep love for the autism community and a new professional direction. Fueled by this passion, she pursued graduate studies and earned a Master of Arts in Special Education with a concentration in ABA from Arizona State University, graduating with a GPA of 3.8 and successfully passing the BCBA board examination.

Throughout her journey, Lydia has witnessed firsthand the gaps in services for families—particularly those from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. This insight inspired the creation of The Village: a mission-driven organization designed to offer inclusive, compassionate, and culturally sensitive care across behavioral, educational, and home care services.

Lydia’s vision is clear: to create a place where every individual—regardless of intellectual ability or cultural background—has access to the support, tools, and care they need to thrive.