English
SpanishDr. James Craig
Dr. James Craig M.A., Ed.D., J.D. Joined the Colorado AgrAbility Project as a Rural Rehabilitation Specialist and veterans Outreach in December 2014. Mr. Craig, himself a Service Disabled Veteran, regularly works with disabled veterans who are farmers or ranchers as well as those who have little to no experience in agriculture however self-identify as a new or beginning farmer/rancher. Through the USDA/NIFA AgrAbility Project he has assisted numerous disabled veterans to remain productive on their farm or ranch, and has assisted others who sought a self-employment career in agriculture. Mr. Craig earned a master’s degree in counseling and an Ed.D. in Educational Psychology. Prior to joining AgrAbility, he served as Administrative Director for a community mental health agency and managed a case load as well. He specialized in working with the Developmentally Delayed mental health population. Growing up on a cow/calf and wheat operation in northern Montana he appreciates the dedication and sacrifices of our rural farm families.
Ms. Leather’s was raised in the rural plains of Eastern Colorado in an agricultural community and has worked in the field of Vocational Rehabilitation and Disability services for over 40 years. She received her Master of Arts, and Bachelor of Science in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling, and a Specialty Certification in Blind Rehabilitation from the University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, Colorado.
Robert “Bob” Fetsch is a State Extension Specialist and Professor Emeritus in Colorado State University’s Department of Human Development & Family Studies. He is Co-Project Director of the Colorado AgrAbility Project with Rebecca Hill. For 15 years now he has led the National AgrAbility Project’s Quality of Life (QOL) study with Colorado and 13 other states. Results have shown that:
G. James Sanchez has been employed with Goodwill Industries of Denver for over 17 years. Mr. Sanchez has had many roles and worked on many programs during his time at Goodwill. He started as a Program Manager with the Advancement Plus program in Adams County and then became the Manager for all of the Adams County Goodwill Workforce Programs. He then started the Goodwill Career Employment program for Arapahoe County. Mr. Sanchez is now the Director of Career Development Services and oversees programs serving youth and adults. Prior to working with Goodwill, Mr. Sanchez had over 20 years’ experience working with for-profit and non-profit human services agencies in the Denver Metro area. Mr. Sanchez has worked with at-risk youth, incarcerated youth under Senate Bill 94, closed-head injured adults, HIV/AIDS adults and Section 8/low-income housing recipients. Mr. Sanchez has a Master’s of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix and a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology from Colorado State University.
Rebecca Hill is an Agricultural Economist with a joint appointment with the Regional Economic Development Institute (REDI) and the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics and is a part of the Colorado AgrAbility Project Leadership Team. She currently teaches Water Law Policies and Institutions as well as Agricultural Marketing at CSU and her research interests revolve around issues connected to Community and Economic Development.
Chad Reznicek is the Behavioral Health Specialist with the Colorado AgrAbility Project and committed to helping expand and improve behavioral health support and resources in rural communities. Prior to joining the AgrAbility Team, Chad spent 20 years as a licensed therapist, providing behavioral health services in diverse settings with special focus areas in suicide prevention, trauma, mood disorders, and substance abuse. Both of Chad’s parents were raised on farms and he grew up in a small farming community in central Nebraska with a deep respect for agriculture as the heart of our rural communities.
Brittany Smith is a student at Creighton University School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, working toward her Doctor of Occupational Therapy degree. Brittany was born and raised on a centennial ranch in rural Northwest Colorado and is deeply passionate about combining her interests of rural healthcare, agriculture, advocacy, and education. She is excited to partner with Colorado AgrAbility Project for her Doctoral Capstone as she believes strongly in supporting their mission. She also sees great value in assisting AgrAbility with promotion and outreach, as the services they provide help farmers, ranchers, and their families continue to engage in the industry they love after injury. Brittany hopes to gain a better understanding of how occupational therapists can work with this population and improve the current resource availability. Ultimately, she wishes to share her Doctoral Capstone Experience with other students and educators to advocate for rural agriculturalists’ healthcare needs and to shine a light on current issues and disparities. Brittany, who is comfortable in the saddle or in the cab of a John Deere tractor, has always been amazed at the perseverance demonstrated by the agriculture population, especially after accident or injury. She is excited to explore ways to help her community further address healthcare resource shortages and to find ways to improve the quality of healthcare offered to farming and ranching communities.
