NM Social Work Consortium Meeting 10/23/2025
Quick recap
The meeting began with administrative matters including agenda modifications, approval of minutes, a proposal to streamline the agenda by removing individual university reports and a discussion about changing the bylaws to add new executive committee positions. The group reviewed various committee updates including the Treasurer’s report, licensing activities, and workforce development initiatives, with particular focus on addressing concerns about CYFD hiring practices and social work licensing requirements. The conversation ended with discussions about behavioral health services in New Mexico, including updates on loan repayment funding, challenges with accessing resources, and the need for community-based support systems, along with changes to future meeting schedules.
Next steps
- Pamela and Jamii to update the website with financial aid information for social work students.
- Jerry to send financial aid resources document to Pamela for inclusion on the website.
- Patti to make edits to the bylaws to replace the chair-elect position with a member-at-large position and add a student board member position.
- Patti to send out the updated bylaws along with the meeting minutes.
- Consortium members to prepare nominations for the new member-at-large and student board member positions for the next meeting.
- Universities to inform their students about the new student board member position on the Executive Committee.
- Consortium to request written reports from universities for future meetings.
- Consortium members to participate in regional planning groups for Senate Bill 3 implementation and advocate for social worker involvement.
- Consortium to consider dedicating a future meeting to presentations from backbone agencies about SB3 implementation strategies.
Summary
Meeting Agenda and Updates
The meeting began with informal greetings and small talk. Amber provided her email contact information to help schedule a session about CEUs. The group then discussed the agenda for the meeting, which was modified due to several members attending the CSWE annual program meeting in Denver. Patti called the meeting to order and requested the approval of minutes from September 25th, which were sent by Melissa.
Social Work Licensing Budget Update
The meeting began with the approval of minutes and agenda, with a discussion about removing university reports from the agenda and requesting written reports instead. Jerry presented the Treasurer’s report, noting approximately $30,000 remaining to be spent on increasing the number of licensed social workers. The licensing committee is working to build stronger relationships with the Social Work Board and plans to attend their November meeting to discuss issues like CYFD violations and the potential establishment of a CYFD commission.
Capacity Building and Workforce Development
The meeting focused on updates from the Capacity Building Committee, which is working to engage Secretary Nyer of the Department of Workforce Solutions to discuss career pathways and connecting social work education programs to employers. Yolanda shared that the Center for Excellence is finalizing a report on the DOL grant, which outlines strategies for developing a workforce pipeline through alternative pathways. The executive committee discussed the chair-elect position, as Ana Nelson has stepped down, and debated whether to hold nominations or consider removing the position through a bylaws change.
Executive Committee Bylaw Expansion
The group discussed changing the bylaws to add two new positions on the executive committee: an at-large member to replace the chair-elect position and a student representative. Pamela and Alvin Sallee supported this change to increase diversity and reduce the heavy commitment required of the chair-elect. Patti moved to vote on the motion, and the group agreed to use the React button to count votes.
Student Board Member Bylaws Update
The meeting passed a bylaws change to include a student board member and a member at large and remove the chair-elect position, with Patti planning to send out the updated bylaws and minutes. The group discussed the need to recruit students for these positions, with plans to notify universities and accept nominations at the next meeting. Pamela provided an update on the website development and requested information on financial aid resources for social workers. The meeting also touched on concerns about CYFD not hiring licensed social workers and efforts to address this issue with the Licensing Board and Attorney General’s office.
Social Work Practice Act Review
Representative Chavez has requested a ruling from the Attorney General regarding the Social Work Practice Act, which prohibits unlicensed individuals from practicing social work or using the title “social worker.” Pamela noted that this issue can potentially be addressed through the regulatory process rather than legislation. She also shared updates on the social work program at UNM Hospital, which received recognition at a recent annual meeting with tribes, pueblos, and nations. Additionally, Alvin Sallee mentioned a study conducted by A&M consulting firm for CYFD, which did not address the Social Work Practice Act or the role of universities in workforce development and policy within CYFD.
Student Financial Support Programs
Jerry offered to provide a comprehensive document on financial support programs for students, which Jamii suggested making public on the website. Jerry agreed to send the document to Jamii and Pamela for review. Pamela agreed to chair the rest of the meeting, due to internet issues Patti was having. Ellen raised concerns about legislation, particularly Senate Bill 3, and encouraged social workers to participate in regional planning efforts for behavioral health funding in New Mexico, emphasizing the need to address services for children, youth, and families.
Social Work Workforce Planning Initiative
The group discussed the importance of focusing on workforce and recruitment of licensed social workers as part of the consortium’s target space, with Logan Howard emphasizing the need for regional planning led by community leaders. Logan shared insights on Senate Bill 3’s implementation, highlighting the sequential intercept model’s focus on prevention services for individuals with SUD and SMI. The group agreed on the necessity of advocating for specific listening sessions focused on social workers at the regional level, as these sessions currently lack clear guidelines on participant inclusion.
Social Work in Behavioral Health
The meeting focused on the importance of social work in behavioral health and the need to build workforce capacity to implement SB3 programs effectively. Logan shared updates from Families and Youth Innovations Plus, highlighting their expansion into rural communities and efforts to engage youth in discussions about incarceration. The group discussed the need for listening sessions involving social workers and youth, as well as the importance of learning from practitioners in the field. They also touched on the challenges of changing narratives around youth incarceration and the need for continued advocacy during the upcoming special session.
Behavioral Health Services in NM
The meeting focused on behavioral health services in New Mexico, with discussions about the construction of a Children’s Psychiatric Hospital and concerns about over-reliance on brick-and-mortar facilities instead of community-based support. Jerry reported that 55 social workers received loan repayment funding in the last cycle, while Claire highlighted challenges with accessing state resources and noted an increase in immigration-related hesitancy among clients. The group also discussed changes to meeting schedules, moving from the fourth Thursday to the third Thursday of each month to avoid conflicts with holiday schedules.
Information from the group chat
Meeting Agenda:
Call to Order
Approval of Minutes
Approval of Agenda
Treasurer’s Report
Committees
Capacity building – Kim Knox
Licensing -Mary Nienow
Professional isolation and advocacy – Carolyn Tollett
Executive Committee Report – Patti West-Okiri
Chair-Elect position
Legislative, Policy, Regulatory Updates
Consultant’s Report -Pamela Blackwell
Practice Community Input
Announcements
New Members
Upcoming meetings– Moving from the 4th to the 3rd Thursday of the month beginning November 2025.
Contact information from Amber Vilas
Amber Vilas, MSW
Coordinator, Professional Development
Center for Excellence in Social Work
e- acvilas@nmhu.edu
p- 505-260-6197
Contact Information for new member Logan Howard
Logan Howard, LMSW
Director of Community Impact and Public Policy, Families and Youth Innovations Plus (FYI+)
Adjunct Professor, NMSU
From Amber Vilas to Everyone:
This is a Social Justice Teach-in that the Center for Excellence hosted last night.
It is available for self-paced participation this morning.
[Social Justice Teach-in] Conflict and Forced Displacement:
Impact on Human Rights and Implications for Social Work:
From Amber Vilas to Everyone:
Just a note that we do have a student in attendance today.
Audrey Vargas is an NMHU FVSSW MSW student (Advanced Standing).
She is a Graduate Assistant supporting the Center for Excellence in Social Work this fall/spring.
09:32:34 From Patti West-Okiri to Everyone:
My internet is just not cooperating – even after switching to my mobile hotspot.
May I ask for someone to take my place in running the remainder of the meeting? Agenda is above in the chat.