Korey Darling, Division Director
[email protected]
(512) 854-4275
- Staff and division oversight
- 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 Manager
[email protected]
(737) 356-8601
- Social services investment system planning
- Group facilitation lead
- Division management support
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.
Rochelle Olivares, Planning Project Manager
[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 and community planning
- Legislative and policy analysis
Nathan Fernandes joined the Research & Planning Division in 2021, bringing 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 services, community planning and legislative analysis.
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
- Early Childhood issue area lead and community planning
- Performance measurement and evaluation
- Data and information Services
- Planning support for Travis County Voter Approved Child Care and Out of School Time fund
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 services. Additional work assignments include performance measurement, evaluation and data analyses. Hilda has years of experience within the nonprofit sector in Austin, including past work experience with young children, families, high-school students, people experiencing homelessness, and justice-involved women. She is a lifelong learner who continues to evolve and apply her professional and lived experience to her work with vulnerable populations.
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 a 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, Senior Planner
[email protected]
(737) 356-8603
- Youth Development Services issue area lead and community planning
- Group facilitation support
- Planning support for Travis County Voter Approved Child Care and Out of School Time fund
Sarah joined the Research & Planning Division in 2023. Her previous experiences include direct practice with youth and families in schools, designing and facilitating professional development for educators, collaborative planning, and educational advocacy. 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 Bachelor of Arts in Sociology at the University of Texas at Austin.
Kiara Price, Planner
[email protected]
(512) 568-2358
- Issue area lead for Access to Basic Supports (food, public benefits, and legal services)
- Social services investment system support
Kiara Price joined the Research & Planning Division in January 2024. Her previous experiences include years within the non-profit sector delivering social services for housing issues, advocating for mental health awareness, and working to enhance public health and human services for diverse populations. In the public sector, her experience includes managing contracts, monitoring contractor and subcontractor performance, and revising and evaluating social service program policies and processes. Within the Division, her primary focus is on the Access to Basic Supports issue area and contract management, as well as supporting County efforts with mental health diversion and community engagement.
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
- Geographic Information Systems (GIS), spatial analysis and mapping lead
- Data and information services
- Performance measurement and evaluation
Erin McManus joined the Research & Planning Division in January 2024. Her work at HHS includes managing aging and disability service investments, data analysis and information services, and performance evaluation for social service investments. She is also the Division lead for Geographic Information Systems (GIS), spatial analysis, and mapping. 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 of Texas.
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.
