Comprehensive Community Support Services (CCSS) provides services to individuals and families with the goal of promoting recovery, rehabilitation and resiliency. CCSS program offers skills development in the following areas; independent living, learning, working, socialization and recreation. CCSS providers can serve clients in their homes, schools and communities.
Rachel Pyne
Racheal Pyne was born and raised in Northern New Mexico and is from Picuris Pueblo. She graduated from Penasco HS and received her Community Health Worker Certification from UNM-Taos. She does have a desire to further her education when the time is right . Racheal joined TBH in August of 2019 and worked under the small schools program. Currently she is excited to be a part of expanding TBH services and developing a program in the Penasco Independent School District bringing services to her community. After work, Racheal does what she loves most; dedicating her time to her 4 kids and helping her husband coach their two younger children’s baseball and basketball teams. She and her family love to travel, especially to warm beach locations and sporting events.
James Mondargon, GRIP Coordinator and Familia y Mundo Support Staff
James Mondragon joined TBH in 2017 as the coordinator for GRIP (Gang Resistance is Powerful) and support staff in Familia y Mundo—our therapeutic after-school program. These roles seem expressly designed for him, since much of his life experience mirrors that of the at-risk boys of Taos. He is the oldest of five boys in a family that experienced parental drug addiction, violence and abuse. His parents became clean when he was a teenager, but his mother left, and his father moved the boys to Taos. James sank into the world of drugs and gangs and, in his words, “any street adventure” he could find. It was in Taos where he met his future wife Amy at a basketball game, whom he credits, along with his father, for turning his life around. Over the next years, he held a series of jobs – in construction, as a cook, a dishwasher, and volunteer fire fighter. He also owned several businesses, including a moving company and a cigar business. Of those experiences, his most rewarding was as a fire fighter because, he says, “I was able to give back to the community.” That sense of giving back brought him to TBH where he sees his own experience reflected in the behaviors of the Taos youth. James and Amy have three boys and two girls, and he wants to give them very different life model than he had growing up. At TBH, he is doing just that.
Diana Cardenas
Diana is a CCSS provider for The Family Center. Diana was born in Mexico and raised in Taos. Diana is a proud graduate of Taos High School. Her strong work ethic and desire to support the community has inspired her to serve children and families. One of Diana’s strengths is her cultural sensitivity and ability to effectively communicate with clients in both English and Spanish. During her spare time, Diana enjoys skiing, shopping, dining out and spending time with her husband and family.
Karen Rivera
Heaven Valdez
Madalena Miera
Joshua Willis
Joshua is a CCSS worker at our program in Albuquerque at Cien Aguas Internation School. He has 4 years experience in Early Childhood Education from ages 2 to school-age. Joshua also attends UNM and is working towards Electrical Engineering. He also has 2 years maintenance teaching through Apartment Associations. Joshua is a father of three kids: he has 4 and 9 year old boys ad a 12 year old daughter.
Husam Khwais
Carolyn Wison
Rafelita Trujillo
Rafelita was born and raised in Taos, New Mexico. She is bilingual and helps with Spanish translation as needed. Rafelita finished her internship with Taos Behavioral Health working with the Familia y Mundo Program at Ranchos Elementary. Although her internship has ended, Rafelita will continue as an employee with Familia y Mundo. Rafelita provides homework help as well as emotional support for whatever these kids may be going through on a daily basis. Rafelita just finished her last semester at UNM Taos graduating and receiving her AA in Liberal Arts as well as a Certificate in Human Services. She plans to continue her education in Social Work at Highlands next fall. Rafelita feels if she can make a small difference in a child’s life all her long hours of studying and school work are worth the time she has put in. Rafelita has worked as an office manager at Randall Lumber for the last 17 years doing accounting. CCSS work is a whole different ballgame but she is enjoying it very much. “Work is not work when you enjoy and love what you do.” says Rafelita. She is also a mother of a 12 yr. old son who attends Taos Middle School and is part of the after school program Familia y Mundo.
Travis Ely
