About Us: Staff and Champion Contact Info

Ingrid Nelson

Ingrid Nelson, MS

(Senior Program Manager)
272-4243 (direct)
925-2350 (o)
inelson@unm.edu

Profile:

Ingrid has a career that expands over 29 years in the human services field. Twenty one (21) of those years were specifically dedicated to working with adolescents in residential treatment facilities on the East Coast. These centers had a fully accredited high school curriculum in addition to the extensive therapeutic services (counseling, vocational, recreational, etc.,) offered in the program.

Upon moving to New Mexico, Ingrid began working with the Department of Health (DOH) in January 2000 as a mediator and strong advocate for individuals with developmental disabilities. While serving as a mediator, Ingrid was “grandfathered” in as a trainer: she was given all the basic courses (Zinger-Miller) and privileges as a fully certified DOH statewide trainer.

The desire to advocate continued when for nearly 2 years Ingrid was the Education and Outreach Manager for the Ombudsman Program (a program which strives to address and honor the wishes, as well as the concerns, of elderly or disabled residents in long-term care facilities). Ingrid was equally fortunate to have the opportunity to train throughout the state and develop literature to promulgate the integral role and duties of the Ombudsman Volunteer.

Ingrid still enjoys educating the public and working with teams as they support the individual’s choices for maintaining a good quality of life. Focusing on the philosophy that “Knowledge is power,” Ingrid’s goal is to empower individuals by offering a variety of training topics that will, hopefully, have a positive influence on how individuals manage their health, their lives and their well-being.

Education

Towson State University, Maryland
M.S.
1995
Psychology/Human Resource Development Concentration :Training and Development

Morgan State University; Baltimore, MD
B.S.
1990
Human Ecology and Nutrition

S.U.N.Y at Albany, NY
B.A.
1978
Psychology; Music/Theater (Minor)

Professional Experience

2007-present Senior Program Manager, Continuum of Care Project/UNM

2005–2007 Education and Outreach Manager for the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program

2000–2005 Mediator/Certified Trainer for Department of Health

1995–1999 Assistant Director of Residential Services; Good Shepherd Center– Treatment Program

1980–1995 Residential Coordinator, Team Leader and Asst. Unit Leader

Membership and Certifications

Healthcare Decision Resources (HDR) 2000– Present

American Society for Training and Development (ASTD) – National & Local Chapter 2006– Present

National Achieve Global Certified Trainer 2002– Present

Adult Special Needs Clinic – 2007– Present

Taos – DDMI Clinic 2007– Present

Shiprock – DDMI Clinic 2007– Present

Adult Cerebral Palsy Clinic 2007– Present

Certificates for Basic (2001) and Advanced Mediation (2006)– UNM Law School

Certified Long-Term Care Ombudsman – New Mexico 2005– Present

National Citizens' Coalition for Nursing Home Reform (NCCNHR) 2005– Present

Publications

Collaborated or completed production of brochures or manuals on the following topics: Ombudsman Program (2006); Granny Cams (2005); Advocacy tips (2004); Advance Directives (2004); You Have Rights (2003); Choosing a Case Manager (2001); Friend/ Advocacy (2001); Guardianship (2000); Safety Coat (proper use ) for transporting Combative Clients to Quiet Rooms (1999); Orientation for Residential Unit Leader(Good Shepherd Center(1998); Training Manual for Emergency/Contact Person in Adolescent Treatment Programs (1996)

Presentation Topics

• How to work with Difficult Team Members 2000–2003
• Guardianship –Let’s see what you know? 2000–present
• Advance Directives and Healthcare Decisions 2000– present
• Power of Attorney – choosing wisely; 2000– present
• Dispute Resolution Process (DRP); 2000 – 2005
• Long Term Care Ombudsman Program 2005–2007
• Systems Advocacy; 2006
• Advocacy…not Adversity; 2003 – 2006
• Conflict Resolution ; 2000 – 2006
• Facilitating for Results; 2001 – 2004
• Being the Alpha (Team Leadership); 2003 – 2005
• Choices in Healthcare; 2006
• The Many Hats Team Members Wear; 2000–2003
• Substitute Decision Makers – what you should know; 2005– present
• Continuum of Care Project; 2007
• Peace of Mind (healthy choices in preparation for the future); 2007