Reaching New Heights Conference
Partners for Employment hosts the Reaching New Heights Conference annually. The conference brings together state employees, educators, advocacy organizations, direct service providers, and families who all have a role in advancing competitive, integrated employment for individuals with disabilities. The conference features keynote speakers and breakout sessions focused on leadership development, best practices/promising practices in supported employment and school-to-work transitions, innovative programming and sharing local resources. Together, we network and collaborate in commitment to New Mexico’s Employment First Policy.
2025 Reaching New Heights in Supported Employment Conference
April 10-11, 2025 | Santa Ana Star Hotel - Bernalillo, NM
- Whole Systems, Whole People
Samuel Emord, Mandy's Farm, 2025 New Mexico Training Associate - DDSD's Action Steps Taken Toward Technology and What's to Come
Anysia Fernandez, Katherine Johnson, Aaron Joplin, DDSD - How to Make a Successful Transition IEP
Michelle Tregembo, Office of Special Education Ombud - New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions/America's Job Center: Resources and Opportunities
Veronica Alonzo, Tammy Gallegos-Burke - Jemez Vocational Rehabilitation Program and Project HOPE
Marlencia Chee, Yolanda Toya, Alana Chinana - Jemez Vocational Rehabilitation - Empowering Choice: A panel discussion on Supported Decision Making
New Mexico Developmental Disabilities Council - Day 1 Debrief: Discussion Worksheet
Day 2 Sessions:
- NMDVR and NM DDSD: Leveraging Collaborations for Employment
Alix Dean, DDSD; Shannon O'Quinn - NMDVR - Breaking Barriers for a Successful Transition to Adulthood
Maxine Cordova, Rio Rancho Public Schools, 2025 New Mexico Training Associate - Let’s Have a CONVO: Communication Strategies for Interagency Collaboration
Amanda Cowan, Partners for Employment - Building Meaningful Connections with Individuals with IDD: An Overview of the Friends and Relationships Class
Pauline Lucero, Jessa Walker, Colleen Monaghan, Jesus Jaime, Michael Meyers, Corazon Training & Consulting - Beyond the Surface: An Interactive Tool for Discovery, Advocacy, and Reflection
Shiloh Burton, Alexandrea Rios, Partners for Employment
This event is brought to you at no cost, thanks to our funding partners:
New Mexico Health Care Authority’s Developmental Disabilities Supports Division (DDSD)
and The New Mexico Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (NMDVR).