Andrew Rapozo

I am a veteran of the United States Air Force, where I was a Weapon's Systems Specialist for the F-16 Fighting Falcon. I graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work Degree from Colorado Mesa University (CMU) in May of 2019, where I interned with the Mesa County Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) and served 18 children on seven different cases. While at CASA, I would conduct investigations by interviewing teachers, caregivers, medical and mental health professionals, case managers, dentists, parents, and the children. I also coordinated the creation of a smartphone app meant to assist youth that are involved in the legal system with a way to contact their case manager, in case of emergencies, on a secured and confidential messaging system. During the creation of this app, I was able to involve judges of Mesa County, Dept of Youth Services, Child Protective Services, CASA staff, professors from CMU, and some of their top students to develop the app; the pilot app was launched in July of 2019. I continued to be involved with CASA and two cases, after my graduation, until August of 2019 and began my Fall Semester classes and my current internship with Mesa County Public Health. I started my Summer classes for Metropolitan State University of Denver in June of 2019 in the Advanced Standing Program and will complete my degree in May 2020, shortly followed by my graduation from the program. After my graduation, I am considering rejoining the military, since they are looking for MSW graduates, or applying to the local Veterans' Affairs Medical Center; I am also interested in acquiring my Licensed Clinical Social Worker. My passion is working with and for veterans, particularly when it comes to mental health and transitioning into the civilian world.