Agenda
05.22.25
9am
Call to Order – 9:01
Present: Anna Nelson, Eleanor Chavez, Kim Know, Jamii Corley, Karen Canaday, Amber Vilas, Jerry Harrison, Reba Serafin, Jen Panhorst, Ellen Costilla, Yolanda Cordova, Jose Eli Fresquez, Felisha Anderson Martinez, Ali Sillas, Mary Nienow
Approval of Agenda and Minutes –
Agenda: Cordova/Canaday
Minutes: Cordova/Chavez
Legislative Interests
SB3 – subcommittee to recommend a participant to the AOC. Meeting yesterday to cover concerns related to lack of transparency in selection process. Esperanza Lucero (leading the charge) seemed to understand the task and work toward a bx health system that works for all areas of the state. Their meetings are going to be open to the public and held all over the state. They are readying to release member names. The Center for Social Work Excellence will have representation. They are focusing on representation for tribes, rural communities, and others to gather a diverse group.
This article shared lays out a speed to meet a June 12 start deadline. There are numerous department heads from the state, but not necessarily from a behavioral health background. There are three open seats on the Exec Committee to serve as behavioral health experts. The role of this group is to identify the regional boundaries for the plan and process. The meeting was productive and the group appears open to community input. Esperanza is available to come to meet with the Consortium to have an open dialog. This is something we are interested in.
This article announces new leadership and key planning dates coming up:
https://www.abqjournal.com/news/article_ad52a779-fd7f-4fe8-8760-5b5756de9f1a.html
Committees
Capacity building – We have not yet met in May. The group meets June 11 to develop a plan for a the pipeline project
Social Isolation and Advocacy – no update
Licensing – met several weeks ago and identified 2 areas. Advocacy for the exam process and alternatives to the exam the state can explore. The Board of SOWK Examiners just recently met and they are putting forward several rule changes (approx.. 17) to confirm with recent legislation but also some changes. Those should be posted very soon, hopefully by later today. The rules hearing is scheduled for July 11. Once rules are posted the committee will notify the group. This will begin a 30 day feedback period. Written comments are good, live testifying can be very powerful. If you are free to testify at the July 11 meeting – plan to be there most of the day. Comments are not being taken on sections they are not editing now.
Schools (alphabetically)
ENMU – In Benchmark 2 submission for CSWE. Graduating first cohort this July. Recent manuscript work examining the connection of ACES scores and social work students/practice skill development. Pending word on HRSA grant…still hopeful.
NMHU – 165 participants (so far) for ASWB exam course. Releasing Ethics and DSM courses this summer – very exciting! There was a rigorous search for Dean, 3 were advanced to campus for interview. Anna was selected as the Dean 😊
NMSU – Finishing admissions process in 8 days. We have 120 in the MSW and 60 for the BSW. Hired 4 new faculty to begin immediately to the fall. Exploring a 5th for the fall. They are really growing!
UNM – No major updates. But from last month, Dr. Nelson will be representing the Consortium on the advisory board at UNM. First advisory board meeting will take place in a few weeks.
WNMU – no update
Practice Community Items
Regional representation and committee representation?
This would be an important task, especially considering the regional focus of SB3. These would be regional groups coming together to talk about practice needs of their region and how the Consortium can support their voice and needs. Those interested so far: Melissa Moyer (East), Karen Canaday (Grant Co), Felisha Anderson Martinez (ABQ region). If we are looking to increase membership, should we move the meeting to an after hours work time to accommodate? Let’s explore this more at the Executive Committee Meeting for guidance and one pager for recruitment/engagement.
Community practice rubric? NASW-NM selected a chapter director: Lauren Gomez, LCSW.
A New Mexican!!! At High Desert Healing as a CEO and clinician. Can we invite her to the Consortium and talk about how we begin to organize and mobilize our profession in the state. There is a virtual conference (primarily organized by CA) held this year. We need a local board again too, this is something we should not lose sight of. Previously the position was full time, this is the assumption for Lauren moving forward. Ellen will reach out to Lauren to invite and encourage her membership/engagement.
2026 Social Workers of NM will be released this fall by the Center. If there are data needs that fit within the charge of this survey we should explore this. The plan is to continue this every other year.
Other Items
Free ASWB licensure examination prep course can be found here: https://learn.nmcesw.org/
Adjourn – 9:55 – Canaday/Nienow
Dr. Melissa Moyer, LCSW
MSW Program Director/Associate Professor
College of Business Room 183