Our Story
We Created Sunny Days With Your Child in Mind.
Sunny Days was thoughtfully designed to be a place where children can move, play, explore, learn, and simply be themselves. From the spaces we created to the people we chose to fill them, every detail has a purpose: to give children meaningful opportunities to grow while making families feel welcomed, supported, and at home here.
Meet Our Team
Heather Hurlock
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Heather Hurlock
Founder & Executive Director
For more than 35 years, Heather Hurlock built her career in veterinary medicine and hospital administration, leading teams, managing complex operations, and helping organizations grow while keeping people and culture at the center.
She brought that same philosophy to Sunny Days.
Every part of the center was created intentionally—from the environment children learn and play in to the culture surrounding the families and professionals who walk through its doors. Heather believes exceptional care starts with exceptional people who have the support, resources, and leadership they need to do their best work.
Heather isn't a clinician. Her role is to build and protect the organization around the clinical work—its culture, operations, standards, environment, and experience.
For Heather, Sunny Days represents decades of experience brought together with one purpose: to create a place where children, families, and the people who support them can thrive.
"Because when you find the right people in your corner, everything can begin to change."
— Heather Hurlock
Dr. Candace Barrett
Dr. Candace Barrett, Ed.D., BCBA
Clinical Director
Dr. Candace Barrett, BCBA, is an educator and Board Certified Behavior Analyst with over ten years of professional experience in behavior analysis, instructional leadership, and program development. She is recognized for her advanced clinical skills, including comprehensive assessment, individualized intervention design, and effective implementation of evidence-based practices across diverse populations. She earned her Ed.D. in Applied Learning Sciences from the University of Miami and an M.S. in Applied Behavior Analysis from Florida Institute of Technology. Dr. Barrett is dedicated to evidence-based instruction, data-driven systems change, professional development, and equitable outcomes for all learners, educators, and organizations.
At Florida Institute of Technology, Dr. Barrett serves as an Assistant Lead Experiential Coordinator and Adjunct Professor, providing support for competency-based graduate behavior analysis programs. She collaborates with students and instructors to facilitate learning by ensuring instruction aligns with outcomes, tracking performance, and engaging in continuous program improvement. Additionally, she provides behavior analysis and instructional leadership as a Behavior Analyst and School Administrator with Orange County Public Schools. In her role with Orange County Public Schools, she leads interdisciplinary teams and coaches educators to improve behavioral support systems, ensuring safety, equity, and meaningful student progress.
Dr. Barrett has experience supervising behavior analysts, educators, clinical instructors, and graduate students; developing and evaluating behavior support systems; coordinating online graduate-level coursework; and presenting on topics related to ABA supervision, restraint reduction, ethical practice, and applications of behavior analysis throughout academic, school-based, and clinical settings.
Marisa Hurlock
Marisa Hurlock, M.S., RBT
Managing Director
M.A. Applied Behavior Analysis & Clinical Science, Rollins College · BCBA Exam Candidate, October 2026
Marisa Hurlock earned her Master of Science in Applied Behavior Analysis and Clinical Science from Rollins College in May 2026 and is projected to sit for the BCBA certification examination in October 2026. She has more than five years of experience working directly with children with ADHD, autism, and other developmental differences in clinic, home, and school settings.
As Co-Founder of Sunny Days, she is passionate about helping children build the skills they need to be successful at home, in school, and in their communities. She believes lasting progress happens when parents, teachers, and other caregivers have practical, evidence-based strategies they can confidently use every day.
She enjoys working closely with families to break challenges into manageable steps and create individualized solutions that fit each child's unique strengths and needs. In addition to supporting families, she partners with schools and childcare programs by providing staff training, classroom consultation, and behavioral support designed to improve outcomes for both students and educators.
Throughout her graduate training, Marisa developed a strong interest in translating evidence-based practices into practical strategies that families and educators can easily implement in everyday situations. She believes behavioral support should be approachable, collaborative, and meaningful rather than overwhelming or complicated.
Her goal is to empower the adults in a child's life with the knowledge, confidence, and tools they need to help children gain independence, strengthen important life skills, and experience lasting success at home, at school, and in their communities.
Our Values
What Guides Us Every Day
Compassion
Every decision starts with empathy for the children and families we serve.
Excellence
We pursue clinical excellence while keeping humanity at the center of our work.
Innovation
Great care should keep evolving. We look for better ways to teach, support, and connect while growing with each child's needs.
Community
We build lasting partnerships with families, physicians, schools, and support networks.
Our Vision
Therapy That Feels Like Discovery
Sunny Days was created to reimagine what therapy can feel like. We believe children grow best in an environment that sparks curiosity, builds confidence, and makes learning feel natural.
Our center brings together expert care, engaging spaces, and a team that truly loves what they do. Families are welcomed as partners, children are encouraged to explore, and progress is built through meaningful everyday moments.
Not Sure Where to Start?
Tell us a little about your child and we'll help with the next step.
You don't need to know exactly what service you need or have everything figured out before reaching out.
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