Lawrence Lyman, Division Director
lawrence.lyman@traviscountytx.gov
(512) 854-4278
- Staff and Division Oversight
- Executive Management Team
- Board and Community Leadership
- Evaluation and strategic planning consultation
Lawrence Lyman has over 15 years experience in public service, primarily in local government with Travis County and the City of Austin. He currently serves as Division Director, overseeing planning staff, and managing workforce development and education for the Travis County Health and Human Services Department.
Prior to this assignment, his work has encompassed a wide range of human services issues including early childhood, youth development, basic needs, and public safety. Work in these areas has encompassed all phases of intermediary work: assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation.
Lawrence earned a Bachelor of Arts from Rice University and a Master of Public Affairs from the L.B.J. School at the University of Texas at Austin.
Korey Darling, Planning Manager
korey.darling@traviscountytx.gov
(512) 854-4275
- Staff oversight and workplan coordination
- Issue area lead for Aging Services
- Group facilitation
- Social service investment and contract system planning
Korey has been with the Research & Planning Division since 2004 and currently serves as the Planning Manager supervising staff and coordinating the Division’s workplan. 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, Senior Planner
rachel.coff@traviscountytx.gov
(512) 854-3413
- Social services investment system planning
- Group facilitation lead
- Issue area lead for Food
- Issue area lead for Immigrant Issues
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 (immigrant issues, 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, Senior Planner
courtney.lucas@traviscountytx.gov
(512) 854-3415
- 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, demographic analysis and community conditions research, and GIS mapping.
Courtney earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Southwestern University and a Master of Education from the University of Texas at Austin.
Nathan Fernandes, Planner
nathan.fernandes@traviscountytx.gov
(737) 356-8591
- Housing continuum issue area lead
- Houselessness community planning & evaluation
- 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, early childhood and data and information services.
He received his Bachelors of Science from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master’s in Public Health from the UT Health Science Center School of Public Health with a concentration in Health Promotion & Social Sciences.
Hilda M. Rivas, Planner
hilda.rivas@traviscountytx.gov
(737) 356-8605
- Performance measurement and evaluation
- Early Childhood 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 work 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.
Rochelle Olivares, Senior Planner
Rochelle.olivares@traviscountytx.gov
(512) 854-1568
- Youth issue area lead
- Performance measurement and evaluation consultant
- Data services support
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 youth development, performance measurement and evaluation, and data analyses.
Rochelle is a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and 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.
Octavio Ulloa, Senior Planner
octavio.ulloa@traviscountytx.gov
(512) 854-4274
- Workforce Development issue area lead
- GIS mapping
- Data & Information services
Octavio joined the Travis County HHS Research & Planning Division in January of 2019. His prior professional experience included childhood health data visualization, data analytics for community health centers and transportation mapping in the private technology sector. His primary focus within R&P is Program Lead for Workforce Development, data analysis, report writing and GIS mapping.
He earned his Bachelor’s of Arts in Anthropology from the University of Arizona and his Master’s of Applied Geography from Texas State University.
