Present: J. Harrison, A. Sallee, L. Howard, M. Moyer, C. Tollett, E. Moore, A. Russell, M. Nienow, E. Lightfoot, P. West-Okiri, N. Peralta, E, Costilla, J. Torres-Grover, J. Nutt, E. Chavez, R. Serafin, A. Sosa, K. Knox, C. Carmony, J. Corley, A. Nabours, J. Panhorst, A. Teerstra
Call to Order
- 9:05 by Chair Okiri-West
Approval of Minutes
(emailed to the group 02.19.26 @ 10:20 am)
- Nienow/Tollett – all approve
Approval of Agenda
- Chavez/Tollett – all approve
New members/visitors
none today
Legislative, Policy, Regulatory Updates
- Family First language was line item vetoed by the Gov. This language many monetary allocations based on evidence-based practice language that result in a loss of federal match for CYFD.
- The social work compact passed. NM will not be able to join until a sufficient number of states have joined. This may result in loss of social workers to other states for higher reimbursement.
- Presentation by Fred Nathan on Monday (from Think NM) and there are doubts that the compact will be accepted by the (national) commission. The compact was passed by legislature but it must be passed by the national commission and due to language changes made within NM could be rejected. The commission will send a letter to the Board of Social Work in NM with required edits to the language that must be made prior to allowing NM in the compact. There may be a special session to address the compacts that did not pass where this language could be addressed. Rep. Chavez expressed concern that the language around culturally responsive practice may be removed.
- During the Social Services Conference there was a meeting with members of the Board regarding cultural requirements. The requirement of cultural CEUs can provide an ongoing cultural practice lens. Unfortunately, CEUs are not dictated by NM, they will be set by the compact. If there is going to be compact involvement, we need national representation for NM interests (in relation to CEU requirements among other things). Unfortunately, as our joining is delayed, the rules are being discussed/drafted are happening now with states that have been approved.
- HB66 (loan repayment) 50% of the allocation is supposed to go to doctors, reducing the amount of funds for the remaining professions. The application has been moved to July ( from April). Any remaining monies will stay within HED. $25 mil was appropriated on a one-time basis – this is a concern. Only about 7% of the applicants last year were physicians; there is concern that HED reserving that 50% will have a significant impact on the other professions. In addition, there were other professions added to the list of approved professions which could further impact funding. The committee is meeting with HED in early April. There is no longer a preference for rural practitioners, which is concerning that urban centers may grab most of the funds. The interest rate (set at 18%) has been changed to “up to” 18%. This can result in awardees refinancing at a lower rate and buying themselves out. Family loans will also be paid off by this, Hed is struggling to determine how they will track family-based loans. For physicians, $75k/year with a 4-year obligation and an optional 5th year. The requirement of 36 hours direct clinical work remains. There is a good discussion on the language on the statute that regulates this process. Jerry/Melissa will invite members of HED to educate the Consortium on the regulations to the April meeting. The Department is putting an application together for the next round to cover federal funding requests.
- The CYFD Commission language is being refined for the next session. Rep. Chavez is looking to address the enabling language and address concerns raised by the JDC. She has met with gubernatorial candidate Deb Holland who has expressed support for this effort and she is very hopeful.
- State Office of Special Education was approved and will remain regardless of federal action – woo hoo!!!
- Elevation of concern for lack of unified voice for social workers – can the Consortium fill this role? The funds this group receives cannot be used for lobbying – but we can educate and advocate with them. The funds for this fiscal year have been allocated, but this is a next year focus.
Treasurer’s Report – Mary Nienow
Funds unchanged from February meeting – we have spent our funds for this year, but we are anticipating future funding for next year from DOH. Jerry reports that changes in administration bring about RFP years. The DOH is planning to line item the Consortium and if approved by the new administration we will receive 4 years of funding.
Committees
- Capacity building – Kim Knox
- Met this month but attendance was lower due to spring vacations. Updates to follow next month when the group
- Licensing – Mary Nienow
- Members of this group met with members of the Board of Social Work and CYFD’s violation of the Social Work Practice Act – the Board does not have any intention to move on this and will watch the AG’s office for guidance. These were members of the Board, not the Board. The argument made by the Board is that they regulate individual practice rather than agency practice – this argument holds water and is closely connected to the CYFD workforce. If the CYFD Commission is formed, this is something they can address. The discussion of clinical supervision has also been raised and there is a likelihood of a revision of the rules for access to clinical supervision certification. WNMU is planning to write a letter to the board requesting the supervision course provided will suffice for supervision training.
- Committee composition – a divorce….
This committee did meet and feels strongly that professional isolation is very important. The target is to shift the policy/advocacy to another group to focus on state actions. This committee needs conversation with Licensing to determine the upcoming focus of each of the charges. The committee met and discussed the following:
- We need to leverage the website for connectivity and increased awareness. This committee will work with Melissa, Alvin, and Jamii to create this space.
- This group will be supporting the Center’s new professional survey
- A literature review was conducted on professional isolation
- Can this group organize social mixers/invites at each conference? Social Services Conference, Social Work Education Conference, NASW-NM, CLI
- This group is requesting a separation of the concepts and an increase in membership
Reach out to Logan and Alycia
- Policy to Practice
- Professional Engagement
- Ad hoc website review committee
- Melissa will follow up with Alvin and Jamii to complete final edits.
- Rather than a job board with listings, for currency, the site lists employers in the state.
- Can we sell a job listing? Can we talk with Jerry about this?
Executive Committee positions for 2026-28
Chair (Patti), Vice-chair (Eleanor), Secretary (Melissa), Treasurer (Mary), At large (Carolyn and Kim)
2-year terms, can serve consecutively, executive committee members also chair ad hoc committee
March – announce need for new members
April – accept nominations
May – vote
June – positions turn over at the end of the June meeting
Practice Community Input
April 10th – Social Work Education Summit – presenters have been selected. There will also be a panel and they would love participation. This is a lunch hour panel, the NASW-NM Pres, Ali for Collective Community Care, Dr. Nelson for the Center, and the Consortium needs a representative. The conversation will highlight collective contributions shaping the social work workforce and strengthening moving forward. 9 CEUs, 3 cultural CEUs. Students are free. There is a small fee for practitioners to cover the venue. A concern raised was that this conference conflicts with the Social Work Distance Education (SWDE) conference.
WNMU on March 17th hired a new PRESIDENT! Dr. Jose Cole si coming from Western Oregon University. A military veteran, bilingual, and is a licensed social worker (as is his wife!). Woo hoo – Happy St. Patty’s Day to Patti!
Many of the schools of social work met and connected at the Social Service Summit and have decided to connect. WNMU will host a Deans/Directors meeting in early June. We will connect and network 😊
1031 – Adjourn – Chavez/Tollett