About Us: Our People – Program Staff

Early Intervention

Elizabeth “Liz” Torrison

Clinical Supervisor (LCSW IMH-E (III) DS III)

Liz has been with NAPPR for more than six years, overseeing the clinical process of evaluation and eligibility determination for Early Intervention services, as well as supervising the clinical team that consists of social workers and Early Intervention Specialists. Liz is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New Mexico and holds a level three in both Infant Mental Health Endorsement, as well as a Developmental Specialist. She has a Master’s in Social Work from New Mexico State University. With more than ten years of experience in early childhood, Liz is strong believer in the power of attachment, and supporting all components of infant mental health when working with families.

Donna

Operations Manager

Donna has worked in finance and billing for more than 13 years with corporate companies. Donna began as a temp with the business office and was later hired on as a full-time employee. As the Early Intervention program grew, she was hired as an assistant and later promoted to her current position. Intrigued by the staff’s diligence and passion and how NAPPR helps families and communities, Donna has become passionate about her work and supports the Early Intervention staff the best way she can.

Sam

Lead Family Support Specialist (LCSW IMH-E (III) DS III)

Sam helps children and their families reach their full potential by supporting caregivers in self-care, helping them fully enjoy their children, and by guiding them become the parents that they want to be. Sam became a full-time NAPPR employee in 2014 after interning in Early Intervention. Prior to entering the field, he worked with children in a variety of settings, including as a Mixed Martial Arts instructor. He has a Bachelor’s from University of New Mexico and a Master’s in Social Work from New Mexico State University.

Sarah

Early Intervention Specialist

Sarah has always been passionate about working with children with special needs and supporting families who are raising children with disabilities. Sarah has been a childcare teacher and a developmental preschool teacher in Albuquerque Public Schools. With more than 20 years of experience in Early Childhood, Sarah has worked specifically in the field of early intervention for 15 years. She has a Bachelor’s in Child Development and Family Studies and a Master’s in Family Studies & Special Education. NAPPR has given her the opportunity to learn and grow in the field of Early Childhood for the past 9 years.

Sadie “Girt”

Family Support Specialist (DS III/FSC)

Girt (Hopi-Tewa/Pueblo of Laguna) helps coach and guide families with children in special education through a complicated educational system. It was while teaching in schools, on and off the reservation, she realized the help and support required of parents who have children with special needs. With a Master’s in Multicultural Special Education, Girt has 14 years of providing home-based, family-centered Early Intervention services and seven years of providing Early Childhood Special Education in New Mexico and Northern Virginia.

Erica

Family Support Specialist (LCSW IMH-E (III)

As a family support specialist, Erica’s mission is to help at-risk families. She tries to nurture caregivers, helping to build a healthy bond between child and parent, and aid in the prevention of harmful patterns from reoccurring in future generations. Erica has nearly five years of employment at NAPPR. She was previously with UNM NICU and La Familia Treatment Foster Care. She has a Master’s in Social Work with a clinical concentration.

Tara

Family Support Specialist (LMSW)

Tara started as an intern with NAPPR until she graduated with a Master’s in Social Work with a clinical concentration from New Mexico State University. She has been a full-time employee for three years, Tara’s passion is working with families, she continues to work and grow in the area of infant mental health.

Heather

Family Support Specialist (LMSW)

Heather (Pueblo of Zuni/Navajo) began her career working with homeless youth and their families. This experience eventually led her to pursue a Master’s in Social Work from New Mexico State University. She hopes to utilize her degree to join efforts in strengthening Native families and communities.

Sarah

Family Support Specialist (LMSW)

Sarah provides support to parents and caregivers through a focus on attachment, addressing needs and bringing awareness to strengths in family relationships.  She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Multicultural Education from the University of New Mexico and a Master’s in Social Work with a Clinical Concentration from New Mexico Highlands University.

Tracy

Lead Database Specialist

Tracy supports and helps staff directly by working with families, and takes pride in doing it to the best of her ability.  Her passion comes from family success stories, which makes her work even more meaningful. Tracy has been employed with NAPPR for more than three years and has worked in the business office, the Health Education and Outreach program, and has been an Early Intervention assistant. She has an Associate’s in Medical Billing and Coding from the University of New Mexico.

Sandra

Program Assistant

Sandra (Pueblo of Laguna) has been with NAPPR for more than 20 years, beginning her employment in 1995. She began as a part-time receptionist and later as a Data Entry/File Clerk and was later promoted to Database Specialist.  Sandra is currently the Early Intervention program assistant. With 23 years of experience at NAPPR, she has enjoyed watching NAPPR grow and succeed.  She has an Associates in Secretarial Studies from TVI.  Sandra enjoys working at NAPPR and is dedicated to her work family.

Judy

File Data Entry Clerk

Judy came out of retirement after working 34 years in radio broadcasting.  She joined the NAPPR team two years ago and enjoys working in a field that positively helps impact others. She knows her contributions support the diligence of the people directly working with families. Taking pride in doing her job to the best of her ability, Judy’s passion has always been her family. Her solid upbringing in a large family taught her to always love your brothers and sisters no matter what.

Early Head Start

Cecilia “Ceci”

Education, Mental Health and Disabilities Coordinator

After being a classroom teacher for more than 20 years, Ceci believes in successful outcomes are the result of how well you connect with the parents of the children you are serving. She received a Bachelor’s in Family Studies from the University of New Mexico and a Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Capella University. She is a current member of the National Head Start Association, the New Mexico Head Start Association, the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the Institute of Divine Metaphysical Research and the New Mexico Association for Infant Mental Health.

Nykki

Inkind / ERSEA Coordinator

Over the past year, Nykki held the reigns as the Little Scholar’s Academy’s Center Manager. In ’97 she attended the Art Institute of Colorado with a focus in Graphic & Web Design; after a year or so she returned to NM. Soon after her return, she enlisted in the USAF as a communication specialist. She maintained her military career for 2 short years. After separation, she began working on her Early Childhood Multicultural Education degree at the University of New Mexico. She earned her degree in 2007. From 2000 to the present year, she has worked at various child care facilities; both Army and Air Force CDCs, YDI.

Nykki built a passion for working with children, after having a child of her own. She loved seeing them grow and being able to assist them in reaching their milestone goals. Her biggest award in all this is now being able to understand why kids do what they do. When Nykki isn’t glued to her favorite TV show or her phone, she spends a lot of her free time with her son, her baby niece and her bulldog. One life quote that seems to hit the nail on the head for Nykki is “Kill them with success and bury them with a smile”.. this basically explains itself.

Jennifer

Family and Community Partnership Coordinator/Home Visiting Supervisor

Jennifer has worked with families and children for the last 10 years in many capacities including crisis intervention, advocacy, after school programming, Head Start, and Home Visiting. Jennifer is a Licensed Master Social Worker and also holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration. Jennifer is passionate about continuing to empower and educate families in the state of New Mexico.  Jennifer enjoys spending time with her family, caring for her puppy, inspiring and helping others in their health and fitness journeys as an online fitness coach, and party motivating with a DJ company at various events.

Madalene

Early Head Start Home Visitor

Madalene obtained an Associates Degree in Social Services at New Mexico State University. Her enthusiasm to work closely with family inspired her to apply for her current position as a Home Visitor. Madalene believes in NAPPR’s mission to empower and educate families. She enjoys watching the development of families from prenatal to infants and toddlers and likes to help parents become confident in their parenting journey. Madalene enjoys reading books on leadership and self-development as well as hiking and traveling with her friends and family.

Gail

Early Head Start Home Visitor

Gail is a Home Visitor for Native American Professional Parent Resources, Inc. (NAPPR) Early Headstart program in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She has worked in the field of Early Childhood. She received her formal education from the University of New Mexico in Family Studies. Ms. Salas interest is working with American Indian families to improve health outcomes.

Jessica

Early Head Start Home Visitor

Jessica has been with NAPPR for 7 years but worked with Head Start for the last 15 years. She received her Associate’s degree in 2008 from Central Arizona College in Early Childhood Education. She believes the impact of working with families in their home has a lasting effect for generations to come. Jessica and her husband have two boys. In her spare time, Jessica enjoys photography, spending time with her family, and enjoying the outdoor recreation.

Valery

Early Head Start Home Visitor

Valery has been working with children and families for nine years. She has a nationally accredited Child Development Certificate and is also a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor. She is currently working on a Bachelor’s in Early Childhood Multicultural Education.

Jodie

Early Head Start Center Manager

Jodie, who accepted this position with NAPPR in 2016, has more than 10 years of experience working in Early Childhood. She started her career working with Native American families for the Women, Infant and Children’s (WIC) program at the Pueblo of Laguna then transitioned into her current profession. She looks forward to continuing aiding children and families.

Dominica, “Mica”

Early Head Start Teacher

Mica joined NAPPR in 2016 as a teacher’s assistant and is now a lead teacher. She has an Associates in Early Childhood Education from Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute. Mica is a tribal citizen of the Pueblo of Santo Domingo and resides in Albuquerque.

Vanessa

Early Head Start Substitute Teacher

Joining NAPPR in 2017, Vanessa looks forward to working with the children daily at the Early Head Start Center. She loves that she can work with all age groups and gain more knowledge and experience.

Lawrence

Early Head Start Cook

Lawrence has been in the cooking and food service industry for 17 years. From bussing tables to line cook to cold room prep to chef, he has stepped down from big restaurants and casinos to aid young children with health and meal education. Introducing new foods to young children and making good, wholesome meals makes him happy as he’s able to teach children about foods, knowing they will always leave school full and healthy.