Gabriel Vasquez (Former Staff) Senior Director

Gabe Vasquez is the Senior Director of Media Relations for First Focus, and leads the organization’s efforts to secure news media coverage of its advocacy efforts and federal children’s issues. His responsibilities include working with First Focus policy staff to translate advocacy activities into material for the media, tracking news coverage of the organization, and collaborating with the organization’s Senior Director, Digital Communications, to create and curate engaging content.
Prior to joining First Focus, Vasquez was a Field Representative for the State Office of US Senator Martin Heinrich, New Mexico, where he managed an issue portfolio that included immigration, civil rights, colonias development, international trade, economic development, and education. Before joining Senator Heinrich’s office, Vasquez was the vice president of public relations for a national home safety technology company, where he managed internal and external communications for three of the company’s subsidiaries and its investors. Vasquez also served as the executive director of the Las Cruces Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and worked for several years as a newspaper editor, where he received several press association awards for business writing.
Vasquez has been invested in the communities he works in, serving on the boards of the Casa de Peregrinos Emergency Food Kitchen, Las Cruces Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Honor Flight of Southern New Mexico, Downtown Las Cruces Partnership, and the Young Philanthropists of Southern New Mexico. He is a first-generation American with roots in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico, and holds a B.A. in English and Journalism from New Mexico State University.
Senate Leaves for Recess Without Acting on Family First Act
Gabriel Vasquez (Former Staff), In the News | July 15, 2016 |
Youth Today by Sarah Barr 7/18/16 WASHINGTON — Federal legislation that aims to address the nation’s opioid crisis cleared its last major hurdle this …
Campaign for Children Praises House Passage of Family First Act
Gabriel Vasquez (Former Staff) | June 22, 2016 |
Washington – By voice vote, the U.S. House of Representatives voted today to pass the Family First Prevention Services Act (HR.5456), a bipartisan bill …
House extends TANF for one year, Doggett goes to bat for kids
Gabriel Vasquez (Former Staff) | June 21, 2016 |
Washington – The First Focus Campaign for Children welcomes the proposed one-year extension of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program, approved in …
Campaign for Children Applauds Bipartisan Support of Family First Prevention Services Act
Gabriel Vasquez (Former Staff) | June 20, 2016 |
Washington – The First Focus Campaign for Children applauds the introduction of the Family First Prevention Services Act (HR.5456/S.3065), a bipartisan, bicameral commitment to …
Campaign for Children Commends Bipartisan Legislation that Improves Mental Health Care for Children
Gabriel Vasquez (Former Staff) | June 16, 2016 |
Washington – A provision added to a new mental health reform bill provides easier access to comprehensive health services for children who receive care at …
House Child Nutrition Bill Puts Children’s Food Programs at Risk
Gabriel Vasquez (Former Staff) | April 26, 2016 |
Washington – The House’s version of a bill that funds children’s food programs – both in and out of school – puts kids’ access …
More Than 300 Organizations Urge Change to Diaper Policy
Gabriel Vasquez (Former Staff) | February 17, 2016 |
Washington – The Hygiene Assistance for Families of Infants and Toddlers Act (HR. 4055) received a boost of support today as more than 300 …
Fair Day in Court Bill Would Drastically Improve Outcomes for Refugee Children
Gabriel Vasquez (Former Staff) | February 11, 2016 |
Washington – Access to legal counsel dramatically improves the outcomes of Central American refugee children seeking asylum in the United States and new legislation …
Child C.A.R.E. Act Offers Low-Cost, High-Quality Options for Working Families
Gabriel Vasquez (Former Staff) | February 10, 2016 |
Washington – Working families seeking relief from growing childcare costs could have greater access to low-cost, high-quality child care under new legislation introduced today …
Bipartisan Spending Bill, Tax Package, Will Help Millions of Children and Families
Gabriel Vasquez (Former Staff) | December 16, 2015 |
Washington – The end-of-year spending bill and tax package released by Congress today calls for permanently extending the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) and …