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
Karen is a CCSS provider for Taos Middle School and Taos High School. Karen graduated from Taos High School 2014. She was born in Mexico and brought to Taos at a young age, she is a proud DACA recipient. Karen is passionate about giving back to her community, especially the youth. Karen has a young son who looks forward to being a future Taos Tiger. Outside of work – Karen enjoys traveling, watching movies, food and spending time with her son and family.
Heaven Valdez
Madalena Miera
Madalena was born and raised in Taos, and a graduate of Taos High School. Madalena has four beautiful children, two boys and two girls. Madalena received a B.A. in Child Psychology from the College of Santa Fe, and is working on a Masters in Public Health. Madalena worked at UNM Children’s Psychiatric Center as a mental health tech, as the Director of the Taos Children’s Saferoom, investigator with Children Youth and Family, program coordinator for Dream Tree’s youth homeless shelter, program development with Girl Scouts of NM Trails, Co-Director and developmental specialist for Los Angelitos. She currently owns Mini Manes and Tails a mobile equine therapy program for children and adults. Madalena has worked with at risk youth for the last 20 years and the best part about the work that we do is knowing that you made a difference in the life of a child even if it’s just for the small amount of time that you are with them.
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
Husam was born in Amman, Jordan. He moved to the states in the summer of 2005. Husam graduated from Taos High School in 2019. Currently he is a Taos Middle School Basketball Coach. Husam is pursuing a business degree at UNM Taos, and is interested in joining the police force down to road. Husam loves helping kids and people of his community. Husam is happy to know that he can make a difference in other peoples lives.
Carolyn Wison
Carolyn D. Wilson graduated with a degree in mental health counseling in 2019. She has been working in the mental health field for six to eight years through juvenile detention centers, wilderness therapy, and residential treatment programs with a focus on children, teens, and adults. In 2015, Carolyn became a manager in a group home system in Providence, RI where she developed a passion for working with children, teens, and adults with pervasive neurological disorders and autism. Carolyn moved to Taos, NM in 2018 to complete her credentials with NonViolence Works and has remained with the organization through the organization’s growth as Taos Behavioral Health. Carolyn has come to think of Taos as home and looks forward to many years providing services to the Taos community.
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
Travis was born and raised in Taos. He has coached youth for about 7 years. Travis currently coaches basketball at Taos High School. He have always had an interest in helping the youth in our community which led him to Taos Behavioral Health.
Oralia Gonzalez, Small Schools CCSS Program Supervisor
A native of New Mexico, Oralia has worked with families and communities throughout New Mexico for over 10 years. She is a graduate from New Mexico State University, where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish. Oralia continued on to graduate school at NMSU where she received her Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice. After finishing graduate school, Oralia began her work with nonprofits working for the Weatherization Assistance Program; where she provided outreach and eligibility for low-income families. She then worked for Big Brothers Big Sisters for over 7 years, where she recruited, enrolled, and supported families, youth, and mentors. Oralia has a passion for working with youth and families in her community, and she is looking forward to continuing this work with Taos Behavioral Health.
Che Mondragon
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.
