Our Community Support Coordinators (CSC)
Janelle Groover
Supports Waiver Program Manager
505-925-2499
jtorresgroover@salud.unm.edu
Hi, my name is Janelle Groover and I am the Program Manager for the Center for Development and Disabilities (CDD) Supports Waiver Program. I have a Master's degree in Social work and a Master's degree in Public Health. I have been working at the CDD for 5 years in different capacities and I have over 15 years of experience working with children and families with developmental disabilities. I am passionate about helping participants, families, and communities navigate complex systems. I love this work and consider it an honor to work with participants and their families.
Winton Wood
Supports Waiver Community Support Coordinator
505-263-5127
wiwood@salud.unm.edu
Hi, I am Winton Wood and I am a Mom to a lovely teenager who has Down Syndrome, Autism and other developmental and medical disabilities. I bring a wealth of knowledge about disability-related resources from my previous job as an Information Specialist at UNM CDD’s Disability Information Network and as a member of the IDEA NM State Advisory panel. I am currently a member of the Mountain States Regional Genetics Network - New Mexico State team and I present Family-Centered Care to resident pediatricians.
Cassandra DeCamp
Program Manager
505-274-1319
cdecap@salud.unm.edu
Hello! I’m Cassandra DeCamp and I am one of the Program Managers for the Mi Via and Supports Waivers with the Center for Development and Disability (CDD). I have more than 18 years of experience serving New Mexicans with disabilities, most of which is devoted to supporting individuals with developmental disabilities in the state’s Home and Community Based Services Waivers in a variety of roles. I have a strong background in Medicaid and am passionate about helping others understand the complexities of Medicaid and affiliated resources. I earned my Master’s in Industrial and Organizational Psychology and use my personal and professional experience to help individuals and families access quality care and services. I look forward to working together with you!
Aaron Lee
Community Supports Coordinator
505-272-4631
AaSLee@salud.unm.edu
Hi, my name is Aaron Lee and I am happy to be part of the team with UNM CDD. I have worked in the field of supporting individuals with disabilities for 7 years as a Service Coordinator for the DD Waiver specializing in Supported Employment. I always enjoyed helping individuals achieve their goals, improve their lives and to get the best experience in their day-to-day activities that they possibly can. I have received a Bachelor’s Degree from UNM in English with a focus in Professional Writing. Although I am a native New Mexican, I always meet new people and often find new experiences in our special Land of Enchantment. With that said, I am very excited to work with you all!
Brandon Proctor
Community Supports Coordinator
505-272-8195
brtproctor@salud.unm.edu
Hello! My name is Brandon Proctor, and I am excited to be working with a diverse array of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. I received my Master’s degrees in social work and public health because it has always been my passion to improve health access, quality, and care for individuals and families to live meaningful lives in their communities. I have a brother with Autism and am a self-advocate. For several years, I have worked in the past as a NM LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities) trainee here at the Center for Development, where I participated in the Autism Spectrum Evaluation Clinic, and collaborated with Envision NM on the Developmental Screening Initiative. Later I worked with Envision NM as a quality improvement coach where I engaged with providers, families, and other stakeholders on strategies in improving service delivery for children and adults with developmental disabilities and complex healthcare needs.
Amber J. Hunt
Community Supports Coordinator
505-273-1675
ajhunt@salud.unm.edu
Hello, my name is Amber J Hunt and I am passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of New Mexicans. I graduated from The University of New Mexico in 2010, earning two Bachelor of Arts degrees in the fields of Criminology and African American Studies. After graduation I found my calling working with adults with developmental disabilities and have done so for over 17 years. I have served as a direct support team member with a DD Wavier agency and then was promoted to a service coordinator, a role I happily fulfilled for 9 years. What excites me the most about this field is the enjoyment I get from helping others succeed and seeing them grow! I look forward to bringing this enthusiasm while helping individuals and their families navigate the Supports Waiver system.
Allison Salazar
Community Supports Coordinator
505-225-4605
AIMSalazar@salud.unm.edu
Hello, my name is Allison Salazar and I am a Supports Waiver Community Support Coordinator with UNM CDD. I graduated from UNM with a Bachelors in Liberal Arts, my concentrations being Health Education, Sociology and Communications. I have experience as Practice Manger for a local behavioral health practice and I have spent the last 16 years working in various capacities with individuals with disabilities. I am also an older sister to 3 amazing young woman who have various developmental and physical disabilities. I feel that having the professional knowledge and an understanding of family needs enables me to serve the community I love.
Laurinda Warren
Community Supports Coordinator
505-379-7496
lfwarren@salud.unm.edu
Yá’át’ééh shí éí Laurinda Warren yíníshyé’.
Ashii'hi nishłį́. Kinyaa'aanii ’éí bá shíshchíín. Naakai Dine'e ’éí dashicheii. Kin'Lichii'nii ’éí dashinálí. I am Salt Clan from Pueblo Pintado, NM. I am born for Towering House from Sweetwater, AZ. My grandparents originate from Pueblo Pintado, NM and Red Mesa, UT.
It is an honor and privilege to serve individuals with disabilities in San Juan County. I earned my Master's degree in Curriculum and Instruction in Early Childhood Education. I am passionate about learning new skills to help participants and their families. I am thankful for being given the opportunity to advocate and support participants and their families. I enjoy seeing growth in each participant and seeing their accomplishments. Families and participants need to know they have someone in their life to be an advocate and supporter and someone that can help them overcome barriers. I'm thankful to be that person for our community.
Paola Santana
Community Supports Coordinator
505-554-5017
psantana@salud.unm.edu
Hi my name is Paola Santana, I am originally from Quito Ecuador. I have been working with the community for over 17 years as an advocate in the Special Education field. My husband and I have a beautiful daughter. Since the day she was born our lives have changed to become better people. I have a Master's degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology and I am so excited to join the amazing team at CDD UNM. This job is giving me the opportunity to continue working closely with families, and supporting them. I am a strong advocate of inclusion, diversity, and a believer that each of us have gifts to offer that help us to grow as a society.
Hola mi nombre es Paola Santana, soy de Quito Ecuador. He trabajado con la comunidad por más de 17 años como defensora en el campo de la educación especial. Mi esposo y yo tenemos una hermosa hija, desde el día que nació nuestras vidas han cambiado para ser mejores personas. Tengo una maestría en Psicología Industrial y Organizacional y recientemente me uní al increíble equipo de CDD UNM. Este trabajo me da la oportunidad de continuar trabajando cerca de las familias y continuar apoyándolas. Tengo la convicción que la inclusión, la diversidad y los dones que cada uno tenemos aportan para mejor y así crecer como sociedad.
Mayline Jaramillo
Community Supports Coordinator
505-526-4344
MKJaramillo@salud.unm.edu
Hi, my name is Mayline Jaramillo and I have been working as Waiver Professional for over 15 years. I know how important is to listen to every individual living with a disability who is verbal or with limited communication as well as the family caring for the individual. I have navigated systems over the years and transitions to different entities examples: SSI, Medicaid, Mi Via, Palco, Humans Services, Income Support Division, Navigating Insurance companies fair Haring, Disability Right New Mexico, navigating the school System, Guardianship, IEP/SSP/Budgets. Insurance Companies Presbyterian, BCBS, Western Sky. Self-Directed Community Benefit.
I was driven to pursue becoming an Advocate and Consultant after receiving the diagnosis of PDD-NOS Persuasive Development Disorder not otherwise specified / Autism/ with limited communication for my daughter at the age of 3 years old. My son was also diagnosed with ADD-Inattentive, Dyslexia and is colored blind. I understand what a family is going through when they receive the diagnosis of a loved one being diagnosed. I have a Psychology degree from the University of New Mexico, Central New Mexico Community College and Ashford University. I bring a lot of experience in the field of Developmental Disability, but I am always willing to learn from the individuals and families I serve.
I will continue to advocate for families just like I do for my own adult kids. I am passionate about helping families navigate the waiver system and resources in New Mexico.
Triniti Pankuch
Community Supports Coordinator
505-527-1789
TrPankuch@salud.unm.edu
Hello! My name is Triniti Pankuch and I am a Mi Via Consultant with UNM CDD. I graduated from the University of New Mexico in 2016 with my Bachelor’s of Arts and I first began working with individuals with disabilities in 2014. I have worked within the field in several capacities ranging from an educational support in the Special Education setting; to a Community / Independent Living Team Lead as well as in an administrative role as a Quality Assurance Assistant. I am proud to be in service to such an incredibly diverse community that supports its members in achieving their goals as they live their lives to the fullest. My upbeat attitude and a critical attention to detail is present in every facet of my work and I look forward to applying these skills while helping families navigate the Supports Waiver system!
Ben Lewis
Community Supports Coordinator
505-553-0881
bplewis@salud.unm.edu
Hi, my name is Ben Lewis. I am a lifelong resident of Otero county. I have worked with adults with developmental and intellectual disabilities in the Southeast and Southwest regions of New Mexico since 2008. I have experience supporting individuals on both the DD Waiver and Mi Via Waiver and now Supports Waiver in different capacities. It is an honor to advocate for and support both participants, families and their direct support staff, and I look forward to doing this in my role for UNM CDD.
Mari Chavez
Community Supports Coordinator
505-318-8001
maechavez@salud.unm.edu
Hi, my name is Mari Chavez. I serve the Southwest and Southeastern areas of New Mexico. I have a Bachelors of Social Work degree from NMSU with a minor in Family and Child Science. I also have an associate degree in Youth and Adolescence from Dona Ana Branch Community College. I have served in the DD Waiver field for over 16 years in different capacities from direct care to administration. I am passionate about assisting people reach their highest potential possible in any way I can. I am thankful to be in this role with CDD and look forward to learning more and assisting our participants live their best and healthiest lives.
Vanessa Toledo
Community Supports Coordinator
505-526-7950
vtoledo@salud.unm.edu
Hello, my name is Vanessa Toledo- I am a proud mother to three amazing kids. My middle child was born with Down Syndrome, it was after her birth that I found my true calling and passion for working with individuals with special needs. I have worked in the field of supporting individuals with disabilities for 15 years. I began my journey working at a day program as direct support staff, a role I loved and happily held for 5 years. I was promoted to Team Lead and shortly after was once again promoted to Service Coordinator. I then worked at a company as a Service Coordinator where I specialized in Supported Employment. I am very excited to be a part of the Supports Waiver program here at UNM!
Tiffany Chavez
Community Supports Coordinator
505-525-9901
tischavez@salud.unm.edu
Hello! My name is Tiffany Chavez. I love spending time with my husband, our 2 adult children and their friends. I enjoy traveling, hiking and watching basketball (especially watching my son play). I graduated from the University of New Mexico in 2016 with my Bachelors of Arts in Sociology and Family Studies. I first began working with individuals with disabilities and mental health in 2017. I have always had a passion for helping people find their voice and/or being the voice for those that are unable to use their own. The knowledge I have gained through school and within my professional career will enable me to assist families facing barriers or challenges to meet their goals. My understanding and compassion for helping others helps me foster positive working relationships with the individuals I serve. I am proud to be able to work in such a diverse community that supports its members in achieving their goals as they live their lives to the fullest. I am excited to be a Community Supports Coordinator with UNM CDD.
Lavonne Yazzie
Community Supports Coordinator
505-526-0997
LJYazzie@salud.unm.edu
My name is LaVonne Yazzie, and I am an Albuquerque transplant from Arizona and a member of the Navajo Nation. I graduated from the University of New Mexico, where I double-majored in English Pre-Law and Spanish, and I have over 12 years of experience working with people with intellectual/developmental disabilities on the DD Waiver. I am a people-person with a great sense of humor, and it brings me deep satisfaction to work with individuals and families from all different socio-economic backgrounds. As an indigenous female, I am a strong advocate for equality, and I believe that everyone is worthy of respect and dignity. I am thrilled to assist participants on the Supports Waiver to receive the supports and services necessary for a thriving daily life.
Ella Lewis
Support Waiver Community Supports Coordinator
505-527-1463
elrlewis@salud.unm.edu
Blessings and greetings. My name is Ella Lewis. My life’s work and heart-filled passion is to serve others to the best of my abilities. I have a Bachelor of Arts degree majoring in Leadership and Ethics. I value honesty, integrity, and transparency. These values support me as an individual who strives to be intentional and purposeful equally in my thoughts and in my actions. Joining the team at UNM-CDD brings forth opportunities to learn, to grow and to fulfill some of my ministerial obligations. I consider myself blessed to have my career and vocation so perfectly integrated.
My career and spiritual journey have allowed me to have a historical perspective and in-depth knowledge about the New Mexico’s Home and Community Based Services waiver programs on both a professional and personal level. As a woman of color, who is deeply rooted within her faith, family traditions and has a genuine heart for servitude; I profoundly believe in the fundamental aspects of civil rights and civil liberties. These rights and liberties are equity, equality, self-discovery, self-determination, self-direction, self-advocacy, and the advocacy for others who are in need. The reasons why this is so important to me is that I believe that these fundamental rights and liberties allows one the freedom to define their personal life’s goals, experience learning opportunities, and to experience individualized growth and development.
I am honored to be a Supports Waiver Community Supports Coordiantor here at UNM-CDD. I look forward to learning and growing together.
Contact Support Waiver Progam
Support Waiver Program Manager
Janelle Groover
Phone: 505-401-9328
Toll Free: 1-866-383-3820
Fax: 855-260-3227
Email: cdd-supportswaiver@salud.unm.edu