Bees climbing out of a circular wooden frame.

Community at the Center

Building relationships that strengthen communities.

When groups focus on relationships first, and then build the skills, identify the resources, and develop plans, they are putting community at the center of their work.

From individual support to community-wide strategies that address complex issues, Community-Centered Consulting services helps design and implement locally informed recommendations for mutually successful outcomes.

Areas of Expertise

  • Tall sunflowers growing by a stream with blue sky and clouds behind them.

    Systems Evaluation

    Planning for better futures by conducting needs assessments and program evaluations. Making recommendations that are focused on results, and that can be implemented and scaled.

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    Population Health

    Designing programs and training curriculums that are informed by current best-practices for special populations. Developed and tested through direct experience working in hospital and community-based care settings.

    Behavioral health, chemical dependency, children and youth, LGBTQAI+, Veteran, dis-invested and historically marginalized communities, HIV+, child welfare, senior care, unhoused, criminal justice involved, and high-utilizer patients.

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    Building Community

    Developing community buy-in with clear presentations of current conditions and offering opportunities for meaningful participation through facilitation.

Black and white image of Jesse, smiling and standing in front of a building and aspen trees.

Jesse Hernandez

I completed my Master’s Degree in Social Work at the University of Denver with a focus in Child Welfare, and Positive Youth Development. After working as a high-risk child abuse and neglect investigator in Colorado, I returned home to put my experience and skills to work where the needs so greatly outweigh our resources.

I have specialized experience in community engagement, leadership development, population health, social determinants of health, grant writing, philanthropy, cross-sector collaboration, data-driven results-based assessment, crisis management, and intentional systems change.

As the Manager of Community Health for the only Level 3 Trauma Center Hospital in North Central New Mexico, I improved systems of care for special populations and hospital relationships with community-based providers. I worked closely with local governments to develop, align, and implement strategies aimed at specific health outcomes using Results-Based Accountability (c) .

As the Director of Community Health and Engagement for Anchorum St. Vincent, I co-created the Community Health Funder Alliance to align efforts in health-focused grant-making to local social service nonprofits.

I actively volunteer with partner nonprofits to better understand their strengths, needs, and barriers. I currently serve on the Boards of the New Mexico CASA Association, and Alianza of New Mexico. I serve on the leadership team, and act as a volunteer Warming Center Supervisor for the Gonzales Hope Center.

I became a consultant to continue the work I love while building my dream of living in close connection with animals and food systems.

Let’s Connect

(She/Her)