Workshop: The Indian Family Protection Act Best Practices – Collaboration Through Respect, Compassion and Humility

Workshops: Empowering Youth Through Peer Support and Social Learning Through Community Engagement in Juvenile Justice Reform

Workshops: Genocide and the Road to ICWA

Workshops: What's the Point? Finding Meaning in an Existential Horror Show

Workshop: Utilizing File Review and Qualitative Inquiry to Develop Case Workers

Matthew Claps is the Executive Director of the Child Welfare Policy and Practice Group (CWG), where he leads a team of consultants providing technical assistance, capacity building, and quality case reviews, including work related to litigation-driven reform in child welfare and children’s behavioral health. With more than 25 years of experience across nonprofit, philanthropic, and government sectors, he has advanced practice quality and improved outcomes for youth and families in human service systems.

Claps has led the development and implementation of practice models and the infrastructure needed to sustain them, including continuous quality improvement (CQI), program evaluation, policy development, workforce training, and performance monitoring. He is nationally recognized for his expertise in CQI and practice model implementation, having led Quality Service Reviews (QSRs) and developed monitoring tools used in multiple jurisdictions. He currently provides technical assistance, supports policy implementation, leads evaluation efforts, and offers expert witness testimony. He earned his MSW from Florida State University.

Workshop: Legal Pre-Session- Paralyze Resistance through Persistence: Accessing Single Case Agreements

Jesse Clifton has been an attorney at Disability Rights New Mexico (“DRNM”) since 2018. His practice areas have focused on special education and the school-to-jail pipeline for students with disabilities, Medicaid appeals and service availability, and child-welfare reform in New Mexico. Jesse continues to concentrate his individual client and system work on areas that focus on children and youth with disabilities, but he also serves as DRNM’s Director of Monitoring where he supervises DRNM’s ongoing monitoring efforts in mental health facilities, group homes, hospitals, jails and prisons, and other congregate care settings which serve individuals with disabilities.

Workshop: Brain Development and Maturity among Adolescents Charged with Serious/Violent Crime

Jazmine Contreras, Psy.D., has worked in the field of psychology since 2018 while pursuing two graduate degrees. She received a M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2020 and a Psy.D. in Clinical Psychology in 2025, both with a forensic psychology emphasis. Currently, Dr. Contreras is working as a postdoctoral fellow at Gold Standard Forensics (GSF), a forensic psychology private practice in Albuquerque, NM, conducting forensic evaluations with accompanying reports. Dr. Contreras completed an APA-Accredited internship with the Ohio Psychology Internship at Summit Psychological Associates in Akron, OH, where she was trained in providing outpatient therapy to various populations involved in the criminal justice system. She provided individual and group therapy to those with sex, domestic violence, and substance use offenses, along with competency restoration treatment, pre-employment evaluations, and competency evaluations, all while functioning as Chief Intern. Previously, she worked in community outpatient clinics, partial hospitalization programs, inpatient hospitals, and incarceration settings in the northeast with both adults and adolescents, providing individual and group therapy, treatment planning, and interdisciplinary consultation.

Workshop 1: The Impact of Cannabis Use on Brain Development and Psychosocial Functioning in Adolescents

Workshop 2: The Effects of Technology on Adolescent Development and Engagement in the Legal Process

Leah Crabb, Ph.D., has been actively working in psychology since 2018 and is a licensed clinical and forensic psychologist working for Gold Standard Forensics (GSF) in Albuquerque, NM. Leah received a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology with an emphasis in psychological assessment from Ball State University in 2023 and completed her postdoctoral fellowship with GSF in 2024. She currently conducts forensic and clinical evaluations for a variety of referral questions, with a focus on competency and mitigation evaluations. She has experience working with juvenile and adult populations. She also engages in other clinical activities related to forensic and legal psychology, including consultation and testimony services for court martials. As part of her work with GSF, she has presented at academic conferences and provided workshops to various types of agencies on psycho-legal topics.

Workshop: Legal Pre-Session- Paralyze Resistance through Persistence: Accessing Single Case Agreements

George Davis is a child and adolescent psychiatrist who has worked with underserved populations in New Mexico for his entire career. Dr. Davis previously served as the Vice Chair for Child Psychiatry at the UNM School of Medicine, Medical Director of the Children’s Community Mental Health Clinic, Director of Psychiatry for the Department of Children, Youth and Families, and as staff psychiatrist for the Indian Health Service. His areas of expertise include psychopharmacology, systems of care for seriously emotionally disturbed children, the treatment of delinquency and the extended effects of child abuse and neglect on neurodevelopment. He has published in the areas of child maltreatment and its relationship to subsequent criminality. 

Workshop: It’s Not about You: Supporting Foster and Relative Caregivers Caring for Trauma Exposed Children

Kristin Dean, PhD, ABPP, is a board-certified specialist in clinical psychology and an Associate Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Tennessee College of Medicine. She is the director of the Center of Excellence for Children in State Custody in Knoxville and an Adjunct Researcher for the RAND Corporation. Dr. Dean is an international trainer in several trauma interventions, including Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Cognitive Behavioral Intervention for Trauma in Schools (CBITS), Bounce Back, and Support for Students Exposed to Trauma (SSET), which she co-authored. Dr. Dean served on the Executive Board of the American Psychological Association’s Division 37 Section on Child Maltreatment for two years. She obtained her doctorate in clinical psychology from Alliant International University in San Diego in 2002 and completed two years of postdoctoral training at the University of Florida in 2004. She worked in a federally qualified health center (FQHC) for 10 years with underserved children and families.

Workshop: Probable Cause and Beyond: Structure and Advocacy in Abuse and Neglect Custody Hearings

Kirsten Dick is a Children’s Court hearing officer in the Second Judicial District, where she hears abuse/neglect, delinquency, and mental health court cases. After graduating from the UNM School of Law, Kirsten clerked for Hon. Barbara J. Vigil at the New Mexico Supreme Court and served as the Supreme Court’s first Rules Attorney. She is the chair of the Children’s Court Rules Committee and an active participant in the Children’s Court Improvement Commission and the Juvenile Detention Alternative Initiative. She was previously the Managing Attorney of the Children’s Court Division at the Second Judicial District. Kirsten started her career as a fourth and fifth-grade teacher with Teach for America. She never misses a meeting of her “Old Lady Book Club,” but she also never finishes the book.

Workshop: Staying Human in the Hard Work

Quinn Donnay holds expertise in the fields of training & implementation, housing & homelessness, and mental health, with a central focus on youth, older young people, and adult professionals. Quinn has been working in these fields for more than a decade and has extensive knowledge of trauma-informed care and the unique challenges that young people face due to structural barriers that impact their well-being. Quinn is well-versed in coaching and building compassionate professionals who function well together in open and transparent team settings.

Workshops: Brechas en la Atención para la Comunidad Bilingüe y Latinaen Personas Neurodivergentes y sus Familias: Gaps in Care for Nuerodivergent Individuals and their Families with the Bilingual and Latino Community

Maria Fernanda Ferrer-Hernandez is a bilingual licensed professional clinical counselor dedicated to advancing equitable, trauma-informed care for diverse communities in New Mexico. She earned her BA in Criminology and Spanish from the University of New Mexico, including study at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, and began her career working with youth and families as a mentor and behavioral technician.

She later earned her MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from New Mexico Highlands University, where she also supported research as a graduate assistant. During this time, she participated in the El Puente de Encuentros fellowship and UNM’s Leadership in Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (LEND) program, strengthening her leadership and clinical expertise.

Maria Fernanda has served as a clinical supervisor in private practice and as Program Coordinator for El Puente, helping develop mentorship opportunities for BIPOC professionals. She is now Clinical Director at Centro Savila, where she oversees clinical services and multidisciplinary teams. She also serves on the Behavioral Health Advisory Board, advancing culturally responsive care statewide.

Workshops: Strengthening Families Through Collaboration: Expanding Functional Family Therapy Across New Mexico

Pierce Ferriegel is the Owner and CEO of The Community Lighthouse, a leading mental health organization dedicated to empowering children, families, and professionals throughout New Mexico. Since stepping into leadership in 2013, Pierce has combined his background in psychology and business with a passion for service to expand access to high-quality behavioral health care across the state. A lifelong advocate for meaningful employment and community impact, Pierce leads with a servant’s heart—believing that when teams are deeply supported, they in turn provide exceptional care to those they serve. Under his direction, The Community Lighthouse has experienced exponential growth and was honored as one of Albuquerque Business First’s 2025 Best Places to Work. Pierce currently serves on the board of the New Mexico Behavioral Health Providers Association (NMBHPA), where he works collaboratively to improve systems of care and advocate for equitable mental health access statewide. With over a decade of executive experience and a steadfast commitment to values-driven leadership, Pierce continues to shape the future of behavioral health in New Mexico. 

Workshops: The Narcan Party - A Very Brief History of Drugs, The Drug War, Harm Reduction, New Mexico’s Harm Reduction Programming, Myths And The Truth About The Unregulated Illicit Drug Supply In 2025

Phillip Fiuty is the Technical Advisor for the Adulterant Checking Program with Vital Strategies at the New Mexico Department of Health’s Harm Reduction Section. He oversees the development and implementation of community-based mass spectrometer drug checking services co-located with harm reduction programs. Phillip’s experience began with underground sterile syringe and naloxone distribution, serving as Harm Reduction Program Manager for NMDOH, and spending 10 years as Director of The Mountain Center Harm Reduction Program. He has consulted on and administered multiple federal OUD and overdose prevention grants, supported successful legislative initiatives, and serves as the Consumer Health Advocate appointee to the NM Overdose Prevention and Pain Management Advisory Council. Phillip has received multiple awards, including the 2004 NASW–NM Public Citizen of the Year Award, co-authored peer-reviewed research, and is featured in OD: Naloxone and the Politics of Overdose.

Workshops: Strengthening Legal Advocacy Through the Individualized Planning Process

Michael Fleischman began his career in child welfare while studying Human Development and Family Studies at Indiana University, becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate at age 21. After earning his degree in Applied Health Science, he worked in family preservation and later supervised the program, strengthening his commitment to supporting families. He then joined the Indiana University School of Social Work, where for eight years he trained case managers and supervisors across the Indiana Department of Child Services. His curricula emphasized best practice, applied learning, realistic scenarios, and learner‑centered coaching across topics such as engagement, assessment, planning, cultural competency, legal procedures, and SACWIS.

Michael later served in a national role with the Anti‑Defamation League, facilitating implicit bias training for law enforcement using practical, scenario‑based learning. He now consults with the Child Welfare Group, coaching and training professionals in evidence‑based strategies. Michael approaches his work with humility, authenticity, and a deep commitment to serve both family and community. 

Workshop 1: Beyond Compliance: Active Efforts, Stronger Teams, and Better Outcomes for Native American Families

Workshop 2: Probable Cause and Beyond: Structure and Advocacy in Abuse and Neglect Custody Hearings

Lindsey Fooks is a Hearing Officer in New Mexico’s Second Judicial District Court, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Mrs. Fooks has held a variety of roles in the New Mexico child welfare system, starting out as a Children’s Court Attorney for CYFD and transitioning to representing parents and children in Bernalillo, Sandoval, and Cibola counties. Mrs. Fooks then began work with New Mexico’s Administrative Office of the Courts as their Senior Attorney for Children’s Court Programs where she wore many hats, including Director of the Family Advocacy Program, Director of New Mexico’s Court Improvement Program, and Director of the Court-Appointed Attorney Program, where she managed grant- and legislative-funded programs aimed at providing improved legal representation to parents and children in and improving outcomes for families. Mrs. Fooks is now enjoying her role as a Children’s Court Hearing Officer, supporting the Second Judicial District Court in abuse and neglect, delinquency, and mental health hearings, including New Mexico’s only ICWA Court. Mrs. Fooks is also the current co-chair of the Children’s Court Improvement Commission’s Prevention Workgroup.

Workshop: The Effects of Technology on Adolescent Development and Engagement in the Legal Process

Workshop: Silent Witnesses: Meeting Children Where They Are — Building Competency, Collaboration, and Compassion in Responding to the Hidden Impacts of Intimate Partner Violence

Workshop: Probable Cause and Beyond: Structure and Advocacy in Abuse and Neglect Custody Hearings

Workshop: The Importance of Collaboration and Partnerships in Supporting Multisystemic Therapy Success for Teens

Workshop: Literal Minds in a Legal World: Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Competency to Stand Trial Challenges

Kaisa Marshall, PhD, currently works as an Assistant Professor in the Division of Forensic Behavioral Sciences at the University of New Mexico. Dr. Marshall is assisting with the development of the division and forensic postdoctoral fellowship and is the lead supervisor of the Youth Track fellowship. She has a longstanding clinical and research interest in working with justice-involved youth, understanding developmental psychopathology, and accurate assessment of trauma symptoms in justice-involved individuals. Overall, her clinical experiences have been in treating and evaluating mental health in children and adults in various settings (e.g., probation, community outpatient clinic, state hospital). Her forensic evaluation experience has focused on referral questions related to competency to stand trial across the lifespan, mitigation, amenability to treatment, violence risk and threat assessment, sanity, and preemployment screening. She is currently involved in several state-level committees focused on the intersection of mental health and the law, particularly within youth populations. She also served as President for the New Mexico Psychological Association (NMPA).

Workshop: The Importance of Collaboration and Partnerships in Supporting Multisystemic Therapy Success for Teens

Chris is the Co-Director of the Rocky Mountain MST Network at the Kempe Center for Prevention and Treatment of Child Abuse and Neglect. Chris works with provider agencies, funders, and referral sources to support the development and sustainability of Multi-Systemic Therapy programs within the states of New Mexico, Arizona, and Washington. In addition to his role as Co-Director of RMM, Chris directly supports the clinical implementation of the model as an MST Expert. Chris earned his master’s in Social Work at New Mexico State University and has previously worked as an MST therapist, supervisor, and program manager.

Workshop: Infant Development Following Substance Exposure In Utero 

Dr. Maxwell received her medical degree from the American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, after which she completed pediatric residency at Case Western Reserve University and neonatology fellowship at the University of New Mexico. Most recently she received a master of business administration degree from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Dr. Maxwell has been faculty at UNM for nearly 10 years, during which time she has conducted clinical and basic science research when not providing care to infants in the newborn intensive care unit. Her research interests focus on the impact of prenatal exposures on the developing brain, and she is dedicated to bringing the highest level of evidence-based care to the infants across New Mexico.

Workshop: Legal Update

Deian McBryde is a litigator and appellate attorney, mediator and settlement facilitator, and a judge pro tempore with general jurisdiction for the Tonto Apache Tribal Court in Payson, Arizona.  Deian worked in business consulting, adult learning, technology, wellness, and the arts before pivoting to the law later in his career. He is a former chair of the State Bar’s Solo & Small Firm Section and is currently a member of the governing board of the ABA’s Center for Innovation and a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. Deian has presented continuing education sessions locally and nationally and may be found online at www.mcbrydelaw.com and @deianmcbryde on LinkedIn and X.com.

Workshop 1: Nothing About Us Without Us: Co-Creating Authentic Support for LGBTQ+ Youth

Workshop 2: Building Strong Foundations with Youth & Family Peer Support

Shelby is a Graduate Assistant at the Center of Innovation at New Mexico State University, where they contribute to curriculum development and training moderation for youth-serving programs. They are currently pursuing a dual master's degree in Social Work and Public Health. Shelby holds a bachelor's degree in Family & Child Studies and maintains a Certified Peer Support Worker (CPSW) certification. As a social work intern at Health Leadership High School, they support youth leaders through advocacy, emotional support, and the facilitation of safe affinity groups, including the school's LGBTQ+ support group.

Workshop: The Impact of Cannabis Use on Brain Development and Psychosocial Functioning in Adolescents

Workshop: What is an Educational Decision Maker and Who Needs One

Workshop: Wrenches, Food, and Storytelling: Tools and Concepts to Understand Active Efforts

Workshop: Building Strong Safety Plans: Practice, Partnership, and Professional Judgment in Child Welfare

Jessica graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. She first joined the Center of Innovation in 2019 as a certified Wraparound Facilitator. Then, in 2020 Jessica continued on to become an endorsed Wraparound Coach. Jessica now serves as a High Fidelity Wraparound Coach and Trainer where she, along with the Center of Innovation Wraparound Team, work to bring High Fidelity Wraparound to youth and families across the State of New Mexico.

Janelle Ortega, M.A, is the Infant Mental Health Program Coordinator and the co-presenter for the Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD), Children’s Behavioral Health Services (CBHS) Infant Mental Health (IMH) Child Parent Psychotherapy (CPP) presentation. Janelle graduated from the University of New Mexico with a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 2016 and started working in child welfare through the CYFD Protective Services (PS) division. Janelle worked in several capacities during her tenure with PS, including Senior Permanency Planning Case Worker, Child Welfare Investigator, and Intensive Family Intervention Services worker, for a total of five years. Janelle went back to school at the University of Arizona Global Campus and received a master’s degree in psychology in 2022. Janelle has been working as the Infant Mental Health Program Coordinator for CYFD CBHS for the last three years. Janelle has a deep passion for working with children and families in New Mexico and is committed to pursuing her educational goals while providing educational opportunities for stakeholders and clinicians to learn more about child welfare and infant mental health in the state.  

Pat Osbourn is a speech-language pathologist by training.  She is the Associate Director of the Center for Development & Disability, the Director of the Autism Programs, and the Program Director of the NM START program.  Ms. Osbourn has been with the Center for Development & Disability for 30+ years, working both clinically and programmatically.  She has extensive experience working with individuals with autism and other disabilities and their families and is involved with statewide policy efforts around disabilities.

Tiffany Otero, PhD, is a licensed psychologist and the Clinical Director of the NM START program at the UNM Center for Development and Disability. She specializes in diagnostic assessment and mental health intervention for individuals with known or suspected developmental differences. She began her career as a behavior analyst and special educator before pursuing her degree in School Psychology with an emphasis in pediatric neuropsychology. Her clinical and research interests include diagnostic evaluation of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, mental health care for neurodivergent populations, and social skills interventions.

Dr. Payment is the 2025–2026 Tribal Nation Fellow for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. His educational journey began after leaving high school at 15; he earned his GED at 16, entered college at 17, and went on to complete a BS, MPA, MEd, EdS, and EdD.

He has more than 23 years of experience in tribal elected office and has also served at three universities in Michigan, focusing on Native American student retention and teaching Native Studies and Political Science. Dr. Payment has held numerous national advisory roles, including appointments to the National Advisory Council on Indian Education, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Tribal Advisory, and advisory groups with the National Institutes of Health, SAMHSA, and the Health Resources and Services Administration.

He has served for over a decade on the Executive Committee of the National Congress of American Indians. Most recently, he worked as Vice President of Tribal Relations and Learning at a tribal consulting firm before returning to elected office.

Dylan is a mental health epidemiologist for the New Mexico Department of Health. Dylan has experience working in child welfare, residential treatment, case management, assertive community treatment, and supportive mental health housing. Dylan holds a master’s in Social Work and a master’s in Public Health from New Mexico State University.

Alvin Phan, LCSW, has been working in the mental health field for 13 years. Alvin obtained his Bachelor of Science in Psychology at the University of New Mexico in 2014 and obtained his Masters of Clinical Social Work at New Mexico Highlands University in 2018. Currently, he is a Multisystemtemic Clinical Supervisor (MST) for DulceSalado for the rural parts of New Mexico. Alvin is motivated by his desire to make a meaningful difference in the community and enhance the well-being of those he works with. He has worked with multiple populations throughout his time working in the mental health field and does his best to make a difference in their lives. Outside of his clinical work, he participates in research in Positive Psychology at the University of New Mexico with Dr. Bruce Smith. Alvin is honored to serve his community by providing mental health treatment and is committed to making a meaningful and lasting impact with every individual he encounters. 

Craig Pierce, Ph.D. LPCC, LMFT, is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor. He is the founder and Chief Clinical Officer of Southwest Family Guidance Center & Institute. Founded in 2004, Southwest Family Guidance Center serves children, adolescents, and families in seven counties throughout New Mexico. As the director of the Institute, he and the training team provide extensive training to clinicians, educators, the New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Division (CYFD), and other partnering stakeholders.  He is a co-author of our Thriving Kids and Thriving Students curriculum and programs offered to CYFD and school districts throughout New Mexico. Dr. Pierce is recognized as a leading expert in trauma-informed treatment and is the author of Parenting Without Distraction: The Attunement Approach and co-author of Parenting through Grief.

Grey Prechtel is a non‑binary 25‑year‑old community member whose lived experience has significantly shaped their perspective. Growing up in an adverse environment, they have spent years engaging with trauma‑informed practices and conversing with different communities to explore societal issues and find healing. These experiences have directly informed the development of this presentation and the insights they bring to the topic.

Sarah Pukansky serves as the Director of the Family Resource Center (FRC) at CASAKIDS. She leads prevention and stabilization services that connect families with essential resources to prevent crisis involvement or system escalation. Sarah has extensive experience in program design, crisis intervention, and interagency coordination. During the 2025 flood, she played a key role in the organization’s collaborative response, ensuring families received both immediate and long-term support through internal referral systems and community partnerships. 

Camica Ramirez is a Trainer and Coach for the New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department (CYFD), where she has over a year of experience supporting and developing staff to strengthen their skills, confidence, and effectiveness in working with youth and families. Before joining CYFD, Camica worked for the City of Las Cruces as a Youth Diversion Specialist, where she collaborated with youth and their families to promote accountability, positive decision-making, and lasting growth. She holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, which has provided her with a solid foundation in understanding systems, behavior, and community impact. Camica’s biggest goal in her role is to ensure staff are deeply educated on what safety truly means, recognizing how caregiver behavior impacts children and how increased awareness helps professionals better support families. She believes this understanding is essential to meeting the Children, Youth and Families Department’s mission of reunification. Passionate about fostering a supportive, culturally sensitive, trauma-informed workforce, Camica is committed to creating meaningful, lasting change for New Mexico’s families.

Renee works at the Center of Innovation as a High Fidelity Wraparound Coach and Trainer. In this role, Renee works along with the COI Wraparound Team to bring High-Fidelity Wraparound to families across the state of New Mexico. Having received her undergraduate degree from University of New Mexico, with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Minor in Sociology. Currently, she is pursuing her Master of Social Work degree at New Mexico State University. Renee brings with her several years of experience to the COI Wraparound Team. In the past, Renee has worked in mental and behavioral health with newcomers, youth, and families in the Albuquerque area, giving her experience and knowledge for the needs of New Mexico children and families.

The Honorable John Romero (Ret.) served as a District Court Judge in the Children’s Court Division of the Second Judicial District Court in Albuquerque, where his docket included juvenile justice and child welfare cases. Judge Romero is Co-Chair Emeritus of New Mexico’s Children’s Court Improvement Commission and serves on various court improvement workgroups. He was the first judge in the country to be recognized as a Certified Child Welfare Law Specialist by the ABA-accredited National Association of Counsel for Children. He served on the Board of Directors of the National Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges (NCJFCJ) and was Board President from 2018 – 2019. Judge Romero is a joint member of NCJFCJ and the National American Indian Court Judges Association. He has served as lead faculty on NCJFCJ National Judicial Training Institutes numerous times and is a member of the University of New Mexico Law School.

Dr. Ross began her law enforcement career with the New Mexico State Police in 1992, graduating as the first female and Native American valedictorian. She served in criminal investigations, the uniform bureau, public information, as a polygraph examiner, and as commander of the governor security bureau. After earning her bachelor’s in psychology, she attended the FBI Academy (Class 04-04) and specialized in cyber investigations with the Houston Division, collaborating with NCMEC on Innocent Images cases, then served in Indian Country investigations with the Portland Division. Dr. Ross earned her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of North Dakota, completing her practicum at the Red Lake Band of Chippewa and practicing in Alaska. She currently serves as deputy director and cultural psychologist at Eight Northern Indian Pueblos, Inc., partnering with the Los Alamos National Laboratories Foundation on early childhood advocacy, development, and education initiatives in northern New Mexico.

Brenda Rygg is a citizen of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana. She is the first Indian Child Welfare Consultant with the Office of Tribal Affairs, a position started in December 2023. She supports the Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) of New Mexico to strengthen Native American families. Ms. Rygg is a dedicated professional with a diverse background spanning over two decades in various human service roles in Montana, Michigan, and New Mexico. In addition to her social services roles, Ms. Rygg has a rich background in broadcast journalism, having worked as an anchor, producer, and executive producer for local television stations. Today, she seeks to help children by coaching and supporting CYFD employees, CYFD contracted service providers, and tribal personnel on state and federal laws related to the preservation of Native American culture and families. Previously, Ms. Rygg worked as a Native American Outreach Worker in Michigan, where she trained child services staff on IWCA policies and facilitated outreach within the Native American community. She holds a bachelor’s in broadcast communications from Brigham Young University-Provo. 

Workshop: Youth Behavioral Health Reforms and Updates in New Mexico

Workshop: Strengthening Legal Advocacy Through the Individualized Planning Process

Workshop: Communication and Collaboration: A Case for Joint Initial and Ongoing Training between Agency Caseworkers and Counsel for the Child Welfare Agency

Workshop: Language, Law, and Lived Experience: Bridging Systems to Support Child Victims through a Trauma-Informed Lens

Workshop:  Building Strong Foundations with Youth & Family Peer Support

Workshop: Staying Human in the Hard Work

Brooke Tafoya serves as the Behavioral Health Manager for the New Mexico Public Education Department. With more than 25 years of experience working alongside young people and leading teams, Brooke is passionate about creating spaces where both youth and the professionals who support them can thrive.

Before joining PED, Brooke was the CEO of New Day Youth & Family Services in Albuquerque. There, she focused on transforming organizational culture and building innovative strategies to meet the needs of teens and young adults experiencing homelessness or navigating the child welfare, juvenile justice, and behavioral health systems. Her work centered on strengths-based approaches and developmental readiness—helping young people feel seen and supported while also equipping emerging leaders with tools for success.

Brooke’s journey started in her hometown of Farmington, NM, where she first felt called to social services. She’s also an Advanced Trainer in the Nurtured Heart Approach, which reflects her belief in recognizing and amplifying the strengths in every individual.

Workshop: When the Waters Rose: Building Strong Foundations Through Crisis Collaboration

Wendy Taylor is the Director of Family Advocacy at CASAKIDS in Roswell, New Mexico, where she oversees the Domestic Violence and Domestic Matters Advocacy Program, Access & Visitation Program, and Keeping Families Together supportive housing initiative. With over 10 years of experience in family advocacy, court liaison work, and trauma-informed case management, Wendy specializes in bridging systems—child welfare, housing, and courts—to strengthen outcomes for families. Her leadership during the October 2025 flood response exemplified how internal coordination and strong foundational systems can sustain services through crisis. 

Workshop 1: Wrenches, Food, and Storytelling: Tools and Concepts to Understand Active Efforts

Workshop 2: Working together to coach, guide, and train frontline workers with IFPA Best Practices 

Virginia Tenorio is a dedicated ICWA Worker whose commitment to her community is both profound and inspiring. As a proud tribal member of Santo Domingo Pueblo, with deep-seated connections to the White Mountain and Hopi Tribes, Virginia embodies the values of family, culture, and tradition that are central to her identity. Her work is a passionate advocacy for the children and families of Santo Domingo, ensuring their voices are heard and their rights are protected. As a Qualified Expert Witness and a seated member and secretary for the New Mexico Tribal Indian Child Welfare Consortium, she plays a vital role, further amplifying her impact in the field. Virginia strives to create a collaborative environment that enhances support for Santo Domingo's children and families. Through her work and personal life, Virginia embodies the spirit of community, resilience, and cultural pride.

Miguel Terrazas was born in El Paso, Texas, and graduated from Gadsden High School. He earned an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from New Mexico State University and holds a Substance Abuse Associate LSAA certification through the New Mexico Counseling Board. Miguel began his career in the workforce as a crew leader at McDonald’s and gained experience as a youth worker for Southwest Key Programs, a construction worker, and a detention officer. He currently works full-time as a Substance Abuse Counselor with ALT Recovery Group and serves as one of six Diversion Specialists at the Youth Development & Diversion Program (YDD). With ten years of service at YDD, Miguel also contributes as the program’s bilingual Spanish instructor, supporting youth and families through culturally responsive guidance and intervention.

Workshop: Legal Update

Crescentia Tso, MSW is a member of the Diné (Navajo) Nation and the Navajo Indian Child Welfare Act Program (NICWA), ICWA Unit Supervisor. Born to the Tódik'ǫzhi (Salt Water) Clan and born for Mą'ii deeshgiizhinii (Coyote Pass) Clan. Granddaughter of the Áshįįhi (Salt People) Clan and the Chishi (Chiricahua Apache) Clan, this is who she is as a Diné woman. Crescentia was born and raised in Smoke Signal, AZ, a small community within the Navajo Nation. She is an alumnus of Northern Arizona University and Arizona State University. While attending ASU, she served as a research assistant at the ASU Southwest Interdisciplinary Research Center for the “Living in Two Worlds” project and coauthored several articles. Crescentia’s professional journey led her into the behavioral health and substance abuse counseling field. Crescentia began working for the Navajo Nation Indian Child Welfare Act Program in 2017.