Korey Darling, Division Director
[email protected]
(512) 854-4275
- Staff oversight and workplan coordination
- Executive Management Team
Korey has been with the Research & Planning Division since 2004 and currently serves as the Division Director.During her time in R&P, Korey’s work has included census data analysis, group facilitation, strategic planning, social service investments and contracts, and community planning in the aging services issue area. Korey’s previous experience includes administrative work at the state level and volunteer and internship experience working with older adults.
Korey earned a Bachelor of Arts from Clark University in Worcester, MA and a Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin.
Rachel Coff, Planning Project Manager
[email protected]
(737) 356-8601
- Social services investment system planning
- Group facilitation lead
- Issue area lead for Food
Rachel Coff has been with the Research & Planning Division since 2006. Rachel’s work for the division has variously covered: social services investment system planning; programmatic oversight of social service contracts; community planning for several issue areas (including food and other basic needs); group facilitation and collaborative problem-solving support for Department, County, and community groups; demographic analysis and community conditions research; and field instruction for social work interns. Rachel received her Bachelor of Arts from Rice University and her Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin.
Courtney Bissonnet Lucas, Planning Project Manager
[email protected]
737-356-8604
- Performance measurement and evaluation lead
- Behavioral Health issue area lead
- GIS mapping
Courtney Bissonnet Lucas has been with the Research & Planning Division since 2008. Courtney’s work for the division includes performance measurement and evaluation for the Department's social service investments; community planning for the Behavioral Health issue area, including diversion and opioid remediation initiatives; group facilitation and collaborative problem-solving support; demographic analysis and community conditions research; and GIS mapping.
Courtney received a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Southwestern University and a Master of Education from the University of Texas at Austin.
Rochelle Olivares, Senior Planner
[email protected]
(737) 356-8599
- Performance measurement and evaluation
- Data and Information Services
Rochelle Olivares joined the Research & Planning Division in 2018. Her previous experiences include direct practice work with youth, people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, people experiencing homelessness, and immigrants. Rochelle also has experience in exploratory, evaluative, and strategic research using mixed methodologies. Within the Division, her primary focus is on performance measurement and evaluation, and data analyses.
Rochelle obtained her Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin. She also earned a Master of Public Affairs at the LBJ School at the University of Texas at Austin.
Nathan Fernandes, Senior Planner
[email protected]
(737) 356-8591
- Housing continuum issue area lead
- Legislative and policy analysis
- Data and Information Services
Nathan Fernandes joined the Research & Planning Division in 2021, bringing years of experience in the non-profit, government, and private sectors in Central Texas. His previous work involved community-based health education, public policy group planning, social service coordination, multigenerational program development, and case management for seniors and people experiencing homelessness. Within the Division, his primary focus is on housing, legislative analysis, and data and information services.
He received his Bachelor of Science from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master of Public Health from the UT Health Science Center School of Public Health with a concentration in Health Promotion & Social Sciences.
Hilda M. Rivas, Senior Planner
[email protected]
(737) 356-8605
- Performance measurement and evaluation
- Early Childhood issue area lead + community planning
- Data and Information Services
Hilda joined the Travis County HHS Research and Planning Division in May 2022. Her work at HHS includes social service investments and community planning focused on early childhood education. Additional work assignments include performance measurement, evaluation, and data analyses. Hilda has years of experience within the nonprofit sector, with a focus on equity and social justice work. She is a lifelong learner who continues to evolve and apply her professional and lived experience to her work with vulnerable populations. Past work experience involves working with children, families, high-school students, the homeless population, and justice-involved women.
Hilda received a Bachelor of Arts in Human Services from St. Edward’s University and a Masters in Social Work from Texas State University. Hilda holds certification in Nonprofit management.
Alice Navarro, Senior Planner
[email protected]
(512) 568-2037
- Workforce Development issue area lead
- Community planning & evaluation
- Data and Information Services
Alice Navarro joined the Research & Planning Division in May 2023. Her previous experiences include direct practice work across the lifespan including early childhood education, case management for adults experiencing homelessness and mental health issues, and public benefits counseling for older adults. She has also worked in public policy and has extensive experience in evaluative and qualitative research methodologies. Within the Division, her primary focus is on workforce development, as well as supporting initiatives for the “Safer Travis County” resolution and mental health diversion.
Alice is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and obtained her Master of Social Work from the University of Houston’s Graduate College of Social Work. She also holds a Master of Science in Family and Child Studies from Texas State University-San Marcos.
Sarah Stone, Planner
[email protected]
(737) 356-8603
- Issue Area lead for Youth Development Services and Public Health Services
- Group Facilitation Support
- Community planning & evaluation
Sarah joined the Research & Planning Division in 2023. Her previous experiences include direct practice with youth and families in schools and educational advocacy. Sarah believes in belonging, connection, interdependence, and equity. She also has experience working in local non-profits in Austin and local school districts. Within the Division, her primary focus is on youth development services and community planning.
Sarah is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and obtained her Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Michigan. She also earned her BA in Sociology at the University of Texas at Austin.
Kiara Price, Planner
[email protected]
(512) 568-2358
- Behavioral health issue area lead
- Community planning & evaluation
- Data and Information Services
Kiara Price joined the Research & Planning Division in January 2024. Her previous experiences include years within the non-profit sector delivering social services for multiple housing issue areas and advocating for mental health awareness while working to enhance public health and human services for diverse populations. She has also worked in the public sector with multiple roles including monitoring contractor and subcontractor performance evaluations, revising and evaluating social service program policies and processes, and resolving minor and major contract issues. Within the Division, her primary focus is on behavior health issue areas with focuses aligned with mental health diversion and community engagement collaboratives for Travis County.
Kiara received a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from Salisbury University and a Master of Science in Human Services Studies from Wilmington University. Kiara also holds an Associate degree in Chemical Dependency Counseling.
Erin McManus, Planner
[email protected]
(737) 356-8600
- Aging and disability services issue area lead
- Spatial analysis and mapping
- Data and information services
Erin McManus joined the Research & Planning Division in January 2024. Her work areas at HHS include supportive services for community living, spatial analysis and mapping, and data and information services. She is interested in combining qualitative and quantitative research methods to advance healthcare equity, access, and affordability. Prior to joining HHS, she worked at the state level in Medicaid policy and finance, where she focused on connected health technologies and public funding initiatives to improve healthcare accessibility in rural areas.
Erin has a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and a Master of Public Affairs, both from the University of Texas at Austin. She also has a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Level I Certificate from Austin Community College and is continuing to work towards her GIS Level II Certificate.
