November 20, 2025 NM Social Work Consortium
Meeting Minutes
Present:
Kaity Ellis, Jamii Corley, Patti West-Okiri, Kim Knox, Jerry Harrison, Eleanor Chavez, Mary Nienow, Amber Sosa, Janelle Torres-Groover, Jeannette Baca, Estilla Lightfoot, Kristin Oreskovich, Monica Montoya, Yolanda Cordova, Clair Carmony, Amy Russell, Amber Vilas, Reba Serafin, Trinidad Arguello, Alycia Nabours
Call to Order by Chair, Patti West-Okiri: 9:05 am
Approval of Minutes:
Motion: Chavez
2nd: Corley
No discussion/edits
Approved
Approval of Agenda:
Motion: Nienow
2nd: Chavez
No discussion/edits
Approved
Treasurer’s Report – Mary Nienow
Since July 1st the Consortium has received $45k. In May, the remaining $5k will be paid out upon submission of final report. Approximate spending to this point is $28k
Committees
Capacity building – Kim Knox
Discussion of the missing voice for the social work profession with the absence of NASW. Discussion from the greater group ensued.
The NM Social Work Alliance (not a 501-C3), could maybe grow into this role and work collectively? The primary focus of this group has been in the UNM SOWK program to date, but this is likely to expand to greater NM issues. Perhaps they can present to the group so we may learn?
There is also concern about the presence and action of the NASW-NM – what is our state identify? (please see response below in Licensing). There is an intent to hold a state conference, as some members have been contacted to serve on the conference planning committee. Do we know about the positions on the Board, can the Consortium get a member on? The conference, hopefully, will not be during the legislative session – this will be taken back to the committee. The NASW-NM Board is already full. The conference will be in June.
Licensing -Mary Nienow
There is a new Director of NASW-NM (lgomez.naswnm@socialworkers.org). They are rebuilding their board and starting to fill position. The NASW National just underwent a major restructure of their chapters. They fired 12 Directors across the country and went to a shared model. Our recently hired Director was retained, but we are unsure of which state she will be assigned.
NM Social Work Board presentation December 11 to bring concerns to the Board from the Consortium
It is likely the interstate compact bill will come up and potentially pass during the session, but it is dependent on upon time in the shorter session.
The letter to the AG was sent by Rep. Chavez to address concerns around the Social Work Licensure Practice Act.
Professional isolation and advocacy – Carolyn Tollett
We have not met, nothing to report.
Executive Committee Report – Patti West-Okiri
Member-at-large nominations (not higher ed)
Please submit nominations to melissa.moyer@enmu.edu before the next meeting
Ali Silas nominated
Student member – can we recruit a student(s) for membership to the greater consortium as well as serve on the Executive Committee
Legislative, Policy, Regulatory Updates – Rep. Chavez
Interstate Compacts
There is one bill that Rep. Chavez has not been able to review yet, sponsored by Antionette Sedillo and Linda Trujillo. This bill would enter NM into the compact for social workers. There is an opinion that this bill will increase the umber of practicing social workers. It has been endorsed by Courts and Corrections. Other compacts have not increased those work forces
There is another bill sponsored by Mo Maestas for compact for out of state supervision, supervision by zoom – unsure – we need to investigate this.
CYFD Commission
Working on this to be introduced with a 3-member commission. The Administrator of the Courts would appoint these commission members.
APS pilot project to increase the number of social workers in the schools with a focus on identifying and supporting at-risk children. The pilot would begin in Albuquerque an expand from there. This would also be a path for social work student (internship) placement to expand opportunity for future social workers.
The money for paid supervision (post-graduate) landed in HED. HED expanded the scope from just social work to behavioral health professions that require post-graduate clinical supervision. There is a disagreement on the interpretation of the language. HED gave the funds to Falling Colors to allocate to the agencies identified/approved by HED. There is uncertainty on whether the funds are already being spent or are tied up in this question. Maggie McGowan (Exec Dir. of Behavioral Health Association) is reporting that the funds are being spent – Rep. Chavez will follow up with this.
Discussion
A concern is that legislative intent is not always executed when recipients are not consulted on how to follow through – higher ed funding, supervision, et cetera. Lessons are being learned in this process to ensure recipients are using the funds in a manner that is aligned with legislators..
Consultant’s Report -Pamela Blackwell
Jamii is filling in (Pamela had another meeting at this time), the website will hopefully be ready for review and launch by end of the year! There is an employer directory, a professional blog, and it will be ready to go!
Practice Community Input
From an agency partner – we hire recent graduates, or those new to the field, and many come into the work talking about burnout. Is this term being overused, or potentially misinterpreted, that is contributing to a mindset that is serving as a deterrent to building a career. Estilla at WNMU (Estilla.lightfoot@wnmu.edu) can share a presentation on the distinction between burnout and overwhelm, compassion fatigue, et cetera. NMSU (mnienow@nmsu.edu) is developing a Workforce Resilience Program.
UNM is exploring options for continuing education, for students who are looking for more substance use training. UNM offers free supervision for LSAA or LADAC hours! They can register for this advisement to get these credentials. To pursue a certificate, it is relatively low cost too – something like $140.
For students who wanted more SUD content:
39464 Substance Abuse Studies – Advisement | UNM Continuing Education – Free
Substance Abuse Studies | UNM Continuing Education
Those students that are interested in obtaining the LADAC or LSAA
Licensed Substance Abuse Associate (LSAA)
The office of special education has developed courses for school social workers for IEP development, ADA compliance. https://nmped.instructure.com/login/canvas
If you would like a PED Canvas account please email Jessica.dinsmore@ped.nm.gov and myself kaitlin.ellis@ped.nm.gov
Announcements
NM Social Work Licensing Board presentation (via zoom) – Dec 11th
Practice protection – this refers to title protection. This has not done what is has intended to do, rather than hire social workers as intended it has led a re-naming of roles performing social work practice. The lack of practice protection is a danger to the public in need of support and services.
Supervision requirements – the requirement for a class to be a supervisor is identified as a barrier to reduce access to those interested in providing supervision.
We are requesting an audience with the Board every 6 months to provide practice updates
Falling Colors (Reba Serafin) in response to Rep. Chavez’ comments – they are more than happy to come to the Consortium to present on their role. Their spending is dictated by the Scope of Work. The Pines Institute and the Wellness Studios are the two agencies HED have provided. She gently confirms the money is being spent but cannot confirm the amount paid or how it is spent. She will need to return for consultation and guidance with legal counsel before she can speak further.
Perhaps a presentation from HED to the Consortium is better suited? Rep. Chavez has a scope of work issued to Falling Colors that she can share with the group.
Conferences!
Cornerstone of Excellence Conference – please see attached conference flyer
NMHR – NMPCA Rural Health Provider Conference in the first week of June
NASW-NM Conference upcoming – dates to be released
New Members and emails for listserv addition
Please share your email with melissa.moyer@enmu.edu to be added to the listserv😊
Upcoming meeting: December 18th – 9-10:30 am via zoom
Adjourned: 10:16 am
Dr. Melissa Moyer, LCSW
MSW Program Director/Associate Professor
College of Business Room 183