Day 1 - Empowering Track

Helping in the Transition to a Productive Civilian Career

This breakout session will discuss assisting Veterans in gaining employment, assisting the veteran family, and securing housing for the veteran family.

Nina Chavez, Director, Government Relations, Goodwill Industries of New Mexico
Roberto Christian, Community Employment Coordinator, Albuquerque VA Medical Center

Paving the Way to Employment for People with Disabilities

(11:00 – 11:45am)

This session will focus on furthering education after high school and a future career for students with disabilities ages 14-21 and advocating for local business to hire New Mexicans with disabilities through regular employment processes, supported employment and customized employment. 

Shawanda Bell, Business Outreach Coordinator, New Mexico Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Crystal Hicks, Business Outreach Coordinator, Southwest Region, New Mexico Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Cassius Loya, Business Outreach Coordinator, Roswell, New Mexico Division of Vocational Rehabilitation
Toni Rodriguez, Transition Counselor, New Mexico Division of Vocational Rehabilitation

Building Tribal Workforce Capacity

(2:00 – 2:45pm)

This session will focus on furthering education after high school and a future career for students with disabilities ages 14-21 and advocating for local business to hire New Mexicans with disabilities through regular employment processes, supported employment and customized employment. 

Shawanda Bell, Business Outreach Coordinator, New Mexico Division 

Better with Age: The Emerging Older Worker

(1:00 – 1:45am)

This session will focus on furthering education after high school and a future career for students with disabilities ages 14-21 and advocating for local business to hire New Mexicans with disabilities through regular employment processes, supported employment and customized employment. 

Paula Getz, Business Outreach Coordinator, New Mexico Division
Victor R. Ortiz, Sr. Program Manager, CNM Ingenuity
 

Incarceration to Employment and Successful Re-Entry

(2:00 – 2:45am)

Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) from NM Aging and Long-Term Services Department and NM-NEW: Engaging New Mexicans from CNM Ingenuity, Inc., will be discussing resources available for the “older worker.” 

Teresa Trujillo, Job Training Program Manager, Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico
Natasha Garcia, BA, CPSW, Executive Director, New Mexico Reentry Center
Delfino Rubi, CSPW, Re-Entry Case Manager/Specialist, New Mexico Reentry Center