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About the Refugee and Newcomer Supports Program

The APS Refugee & Newcomer Supports Program is part of the Office of Equity and Engagement and is new and rapidly adapting to community and school needs. Below is a brief overview of current supports.

RNSP Program Manager

Brandon BacaBrandon Baca

The APS Refugee & Newcomer Support Program Manager, Brandon Baca, coordinates and oversees district refugee and newcomer supports. He supervises a team of Refugee Case Managers, Newcomer Specialists, Newcomer Teachers and works with local community organizations to build collaborative partnerships to support newcomer education. Brandon is the primary point of contact for schools.

If you have any questions or would like to request support, please contact Brandon at: or 505-803-7781

Refugee Case Managers

Refugee Case Managers provide support to refugee students, families and the schools that serve them. Case Managers speak various languages that are common amongst newcomers in APS. Families may contact the Case Manager who speaks their language directly. Case Managers are not replacements for interpreters and translators.

Primary job roles are:

  • Parent engagement
  • Student & family supports
  • Community outreach
  • School support

Dina RaheemDina Raheem

Arabic

Edmond MwambaEdmond Mwamba

Swahili, French,
Lingala, Tshiluba

Mohammad IsmailMohammad Ismail

Dari, Farsi,
Pashto, Urdu/Hindi

Newcomer Specialists

Newcomer Specialists also speak the languages of the local refugee community and provide in-classroom support to newcomer students. Specialists work alongside teachers to ensure that the material being taught is accessible. They do this by utilizing their language skills to explain complicated concepts and provide academic and social support to newcomers.

Farida IbrahimFarida Ibrahim

Swahili
Van Buren Middle School

Parwin HussainiParwin Hussaini

Farsi, Dari, Urdu, Hindi
Del Norte High

Mbarak HusseinMbarak Hussein

Swahili
Highland High 

Chantal MuhumureChantal Muhumure

Swahili, Kinyarwanda, French, Kirundi, Kinyamulenge, Kibembe
La Mesa Elementary School