Every great organization starts with a story—and for Aprendamos, that story begins with a New Mexico native who had a deep passion for helping people live fuller, more empowered lives. Meet Danny Palma, the founder of Direct Therapy Services (DTS) and one of the many driving forces behind Aprendamos Family of Services.
Born and raised in New Mexico, Danny stayed close to his roots. He attended New Mexico State University, where he didn’t just stop at one degree—he earned a B.A. in Psychology, a B.S. in Criminal Justice, and an M.A. in Communication Disorders, specializing in Augmentative and Alternative Communication and Medical Speech-Language Pathology. In 2000, Danny used his expertise to found Direct Therapy Services (DTS) to provide Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and a Day Habilitation Services for adult clients on the New Mexico Developmental Disabilities Waiver Program.
As the DTS team grew, so did ideas for how else the organization could provide into a network of support and care. Abel Covarrubias, Speech-Language Pathologist, had joined the DTS team, and soon after, realized how much better his clients who received early intervention services as children did in comparison to those who did not. This led to the founding of Aprendamos Early Intervention and its five additional programs now housed under the Aprendamos Family of Services organizational umbrella.
Danny has had a front-row seat to the impact these services have had—not just on clients, but on their entire families. Over the years, he has been humbled by the heartfelt stories people share—families, friends, even neighbors—about how DTS and Aprendamos have changed lives. “When someone tells me how our team made a difference in their life, I’m always so grateful. It’s a reminder that what we do really matters.”
When he’s not working to better the lives of others, Danny enjoys hitting the trails on his mountain bike, playing pickleball, hiking New Mexico’s beautiful landscapes, and traveling with his wife, Elaine.
Thanks for everything, Danny. Your leadership and heart have helped build something truly special at DTS and Aprendamos!
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