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.
Diana Cardenas, Semillas y Raices/Taos Middle School
Diana is a CCSS supervisor 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.
Che Mondragon, Integrity First Program Che was raised in Taos and graduated in 2007. He is currently pursuing a degree in business. Che has a great interest for working with at risk teens, and their families in our community. Che enjoys engaging in outdoor activities with his wife and two young daughters ages 7 and 2.
Miguel Quintana, Integrity First Program Miguel was born and raised in Taos, NM. He graduated from Taos High School in 1991. He attended New Mexico Highlands University from 1991 – 1996. Miguel has been coaching for the Taos Municipal Schools for the past 12 years. He coaches baseball and volleyball. Miguel is currently the Head Baseball Coach for the Taos High School and has been for the past 7 years. Miguel worked for North West Regional Education Cooperative as a Vocational Transition Specialist. Contracted by the New Mexico Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR). Serving students with disability’s at Taos High School, Penasco High School, Espanola High School, and Los Alamos High School. Delivering pre-employment transition services to the youth of his coverage schools, assisting youth in their transition toward gainful employment. Miguel most recently worked for New Mexico CYFD, Foster Connections Bureau. He served the Department as their Education – Vocation Specialist. Miguel worked in assisting youth with their transition into independent living. Connecting and transitioning youth with the resources needed to peruse their education, vocational training, and start up funds. Miguel is committed to his community, specifically the youth of his community.
Rachel Rael, Familia y Mundo Rachel was born and raised in Taos, NM. Rachel is a graduate of Taos High School. After high school Rachel attended NMHU where she studied Human Performance and Sport. During summers Rachel worked many youth programs including, Summer Bridge, K3 plus, and The Boys and Girls Club. During the last 12 years Rachel has worked at Rio Grande Ace Hardware and Randall Lumber in the paint department. Recently Rachel began coaching middle school volleyball and middle school girls basketball, which led her to Taos Behavioral Health. Rachel has always wanted to pursue an opportunity that would allow her to work with youth in her community. During her free time Rachel loves spending time with her nieces and nephews and playing different sports such as basketball and softball as well as CrossFit and Brazilian jiu-jitsu at Defendu Academy and JJBJJ in Santa Fe, NM.
Lauralee Trujillo, Empower Program Lauralee Trujillo was born and raised in Taos, New Mexico, where she is now 20 years old. She started working with Taos Behavioral Health in 2022. Additionally, she is involved with the substance abuse prevention program, Taos Alive. Lauralee became a member of Taos Behavioral Health and Taos Alive because she is passionate and loves children. She enjoys the Taos Mountains and being outside. Lauralee wants to encourage the youth in the community to live healthy and happy lives.
Aries Miera, Empower Program Aries was born and raised in Taos, New Mexico. Being a lifetime resident of Taos, Aries is extremely experienced with the local culture and issues which are present in the community. These experiences are what has inspired Aries to support and empower the community through Taos Behavioral Health. Aries is aspiring to further her education and career with Taos Behavioral Health.
Chantelle Deitrich, Intergrity First Program Chantelle was born in Los Alamos, NM and raised in Taos, NM. She attended Taos High and participated in the Dance Team throughout her high-school career and was an asset to the leadership program in which she was involved in coordinating and setting up school events. She graduated from Taos High in 2022. Chantelle is currently continuing her college education at UNM- Taos. Chantelle, being a younger member of the Taos community, has found interest in supporting the youth of her community to enhance their skills within their academic, social/emotional, and home/family domains.
Alejandro Munoz, Familia y Mundo Alejandro is 19 years old and he was born in Taos, NM but raised in Mexico. He graduated in Mexico from high school in 2021, and moved back to Taos a year and a half ago. He is currently studying pre-business at UNM and he also is wanting to obtain a physiology degree in the future. He has been working for Taos Behavioral Health for 4 months as a CCSS worker in the Semillas y Raices program and he really enjoys spending his time supporting kids academically and emotionally, he has really enjoyed learning about them and their crazy ideas. Alejandro currently has a second job, as a server. He has been in the restaurant business for over 3 years. His hobbies also include taking pictures since he is also photographer, going to the gym which is like his therapy, and he loves to hike and go out with friends.
Nicole Romero, Empower Program Nicole was born and raised in Taos, New Mexico. Nicole graduated in 2010 from Chrysalis Alternative High School. Nicole was employed by Mantes Chow Cart for 12 years and recently made the transition to Taos Behavioral Health. Nicole enjoys spending time with her 4 children, she is and loves being a sports mom! She started with Taos Behavioral Health in January as a CCSS worker and works in the Empower Program. She really enjoys her time with the kids and she is enjoying getting to know them better.
Jonathon Lopez, Peñasco Program Jonathon Lopez was raised in Northern New Mexico. He never thought this is where he would be at this point in life, but he has been given so many chances to make a difference and never took those chances. Now he is taking full advantage of this opportunity to make a difference in his community. He has spent the last twenty-two years paralyzed and in a wheelchair because of a mistake he made when he was young and immature. Now with the wisdom he has obtained, he wishes to share his experiences and his life challenges with those that are less and more fortunate than he was. Jonathon hopes to influence those around him all the time and be the best version of himself, every-day.
Joann Visarraga, Peñasco Program Joann grew up in Chamisal, New Mexico. She graduated from Peñasco High School, continued her education and graduated from Northern New Mexico College with her Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. She began her career as an educator for young children in Early Head Start and Head Start programs, after taking a break she returned part time as the Peñasco Nurturing Center/Family Navigator with Taos Behavioral Health. Joann is married to her wonderful husband and they have two children, a daughter age 5 and a son age 2. Her own personal childhood growing up is what drove her to work with young children. Joann believes in self-will and despite where we come from or endure we can succeed at anything we set our minds to. Joann loves where she lives and she is proud to be working with the children and families in her own community of the Peñasco area.
Aalyiah Martinez, Familia y Mundo Aalyiah was born and raised in Cerro New Mexico. She attended Questa High School and participated in volleyball throughout her high school career while being a part of other extracurricular activities such as mariachi and honor society. Aalyiah graduated high school in 2021 from Questa High School and then moved to Las Vegas to attend NMHU. She received her associates degree in social and behavioral sciences from NMHU and then transferred to ENMU to receive her bachelors degree in psychology and social work. She has been working for Taos Behavioral Health for 4 months as a CSW for the Familia y Mundo program. She enjoys being able to contribute to the kids learning and watching them become more connected with their community. Her own experiences motivated her to go into this field and help kids understand the power of kindness and empathy. Aalyiah believes showing them how these qualities can make a big different is so important.
