Continuing Education Units School of Social Work
Center for Excellence in Social Work, Facundo Valdez School of Social Work, New Mexico Highlands University
Professional Development
e: socialworkceu@nmhu.edu
p: 505-260-6197
c: 505-429-1340
The Center for Excellence in Social Work (Center) is committed to providing accessible and affordable ongoing learning opportunities for students, faculty, community and practicing social workers. Events focus on a variety of topics that help enhance the skills and knowledge for effective practice with the populations of New Mexico. In keeping with the Facundo Valdez School of Social Work’s mission, several workshops focus on working with Hispanic and Native American populations of New Mexico and the Southwest.
Center events that are offered for CEU credit meet the continuing education licensure renewal requirements as set forth by the New Mexico Board of Social Work Examiners (BSWE). For credit for CEU eligible events, completion of a post-event survey is required. Most events are offered via Zoom, allowing participants access to ongoing professional development statewide.
UPCOMING EVENTS
March 2025
Date: 3/4/25 (Tuesday) & Time: 12:30 pm–4:45 pm (Mountain Time)
Details: CEUs 3.75 | Level: Emerging | Cost: Free
Title: [Community Partner] Essentials of Child and Family Welfare for Programs and Providers
Presenter: Various
Organizer: Corinne Wolfe Center for Child and Family Justice
Location: Zoom
Registration: Closed
Description: The Center for Excellence in Social Work is a CEU provider for Corinne Wolfe Center for Child and Family Justice’s “Essentials of Child and Family Welfare for Programs and Providers”. This program is for beginners and for people who have not attended before. Attendance for a second time, or by supervisors who want to attend with their team, will be considered on a case by case basis.
Date: 3/19/25 (Wednesday) & Time: 6 pm–7:30 pm (Mountain Time)
Details: CEUs 1.5 Cultural | Level: All | Cost: Free
Title: [Social Justice Teach-in] The Life and Legacy of Facundo Valdez
Presenters: Dr. Arturo Gonzales and Rey Martinez, LCSW, PhD | Facilitator: Isabella Serrano, Center Graduate Assistant, MSW Student
Organizer: Center for Excellence in Social Work
Location: Zoom & Canvas | Registration: Click Here
Description: Join us in honoring Facundo Valdez, the pioneering social worker and namesake of NMHU’s Facundo Valdez School of Social Work. Learn about his groundbreaking contributions to social work and environmental justice, his personal values, and his lasting impact on promoting justice and equity in underserved communities.
Date: 3/28/25 (Friday) & Time: 8 am–5 pm (Mountain Time) Meals provided
Details: CEUs 6 | Level: All | Cost: Free
Title: [Summit] New Mexico Social Work Education Summit: The Future of Social Work
Organizer: Center for Excellence in Social Work
Location: CNM Workforce Training Center (5600 Eagle Rock Ave NE, Albuquerque, NM 87113)
Registration: Click Here
Description: The 2nd Annual New Mexico Social Work Education Summit seeks to collectively envision the future of social work–a future deeply grounded in the principles of antiracism, anti-oppression, and decolonization. This year’s theme invites participants to explore how these essential frameworks can be effectively woven into social work education, practice, and policy. By embracing these principles, we seek to dismantle systemic inequities and foster a more just, inclusive, and equitable society.
PAST EVENTS
February 2025
Date: 2/12/25 (Wednesday) & Time: 6 pm–7:30 pm (Mountain Time)
Details: CEUs 1.5 Cultural | Level: All | Cost: Free
Title: [Social Justice Teach-in] Migrant Justice and Community Care
Presenters: hazel batrezchavez, MFA, Founding member of the fronteristxs Collective and Granadina Co-op & Brenda Quiñonez-Cortés, LCSW, MSW, Executive Director/Directora, El Puente de Encuentros | Facilitator: Isabella Serrano, Center Graduate Assistant, MSW Student
Organizer: Center for Excellence in Social Work
Location: Zoom & Canvas | Registration: Closed
Recording: Click Here
Description: This discussion will encourage deep reflection, mutual support, and actionable strategies for sustaining ourselves and our communities.
Date: 2/25/25 (Tuesday) & Time: 8:30 am–5 pm (Mountain Time)
Details: CEUs 6.5, of which 3.25 are Cultural | Level: Emerging | Cost: Free
Title: [Community Partner] Essentials of Child and Family Welfare for Programs and Providers
Presenter: Various
Organizer: Corinne Wolfe Center for Child and Family Justice
Location: Zoom | Registration: Closed
Description: The Center for Excellence in Social Work is a CEU provider for Corinne Wolfe Center for Child and Family Justice’s “Essentials of Child and Family Welfare for Programs and Providers”. This program is for beginners and for people who have not attended before. Attendance for a second time, or by supervisors who want to attend with their team, will be considered on a case by case basis.
Date: 2/26/25 (Wednesday) & Time: 9 am–4 pm (Mountain Time) Lunch Provided
Details: CEUs None | Level: Emerging | Cost: Free
Title: [SANA Event] Student Advocacy & Action Day at the Legislature
Organizer: Center for Excellence in Social Work
Location: Morning at the New Mexico State Capitol (490 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87501) & Afternoon at the SFCC Higher Education Center (1950 Siringo Rd, Santa Fe, NM 87505)
Registration: Closed
Toolkit: Click Here
Description: This event is for students in social work, behavioral-health related programs and for all students interested in learning about the NM legislative session, policy, advocacy and action! In the morning, students will have the opportunity to connect, see the legislative session in action, and participate in SANA and Behavioral Health Day at the Legislature activities. In the afternoon, lunch will be provided and notable speakers will present about policy, advocacy and community organizing. Social work faculty and practicum sites are encouraged to consider providing credit to students for participating. The content of SANA events is for a student audience and not eligible for CEUs.
Date: 2/28/25 (Friday) & Time: 1:30 pm–3:30 pm (Mountain Time)
Details: CEUs 2 Cultural | Level: Emerging–Intermediate | Cost: Free
Title: [Community Partner] Cultivating Cultural/Identity Humility and Safety Through Critical Trauma Theory
Presenter: Interim Dean Anna Nelson, PhD, LCSW
Organizer: NMHU FVSSW Field Education
Location: NMHU Santa Fe Center at the SFCC Higher Education Center (HEC)
Registration: Event limited to Northeastern Regional Field Fair participants.
Description: The Center for Excellence in Social Work is a CEU provider for the NMHU Facundo Valdez School of Social Work’s Northeastern Regional Field Fair. This is a dynamic, participant-engaged workshop is designed to provide tools and skills in cultivating cultural and identity humility and safety in our work with Black, Indigenous, Latine/Afro-Latine and People and Communities of Color. Participants will explore what it means to practice cultural/identity humility in the current sociopolitical context, methods for applying Critical Trauma Theory in direct practice, and strategies for engaging in self and collective care.
January 2025
Date: 1/27/25 (Monday) & Time: 9 am–3:30 pm (Mountain Time) Lunch Provided
Details: CEUs 3 | Level: All | Cost: Free
Title: [Community Partner] Climate & Health Day at the Roundhouse
Organizer: Healthy Climate New Mexico
Location: Morning at Open Circle Church (645 Webber St, Santa Fe, NM 87505) & Afternoon at the New Mexico State Capitol (490 Old Santa Fe Trail, Santa Fe, NM 87501)
Registration: Closed
Description: The Center for Excellence in Social Work is a CEU provider for Healthy Climate New Mexico’s (HCNM) Climate & Health Day at the Roundhouse. From HCNM “Let your climate story and voice be heard! Join other heath professionals as we bring our voices on climate change to our legislators. Gain critical knowledge about policies to address climate and health. Learn about the legislative process. Meet our legislators. Join ALL day or for the morning education session. CE Credits for SW, CHES & CHW. Some travel support available. Lunch included.”
November 2024
Date: 11/6/24 (Wednesday) & Time: 6 pm–7:30 pm (Mountain Time)
Details: CEUs 1.5 Cultural | Level: All | Cost: Free
Title: [Social Justice Teach-in] Community Engagement Practices with Indigenous Communities
Presenters: Charlene Poola, PhD, LCSW, Tribal Behavioral Health Director at the Albuquerque Area Southwest Tribal Epidemiology Center (AASTEC) & Beverly Gorman, LMSW, MSW, MBA, Social Worker/Therapist, University of New Mexico Health Sciences, Center for Participatory Research, Nizhoni Counseling | Facilitator: Isabella Serrano, Center Graduate Assistant, MSW Student
Organizer: Center for Excellence in Social Work
Location: Zoom | Registration: Closed
Recording: Click Here
Description: Join the Center for Excellence in Social Work (Center) for a conversation between Dr. Charlene Poola and Beverly Gorman, LMSW. They will define the tenets of Tribal Critical Race Theory (Tribal CRT), Indigenous research methodologies, and participatory action research (PAR). They will share the importance of using Tribal CRT with Indigenous communities and how Ms. Gorman and her team developed an Indigenous Evaluator’s Network utilizing Indigenous research methods. Lastly, they will discuss how they incorporate community based participatory action research principles with an equine assisted therapy project and community champions’ work. This provides participants the opportunity to learn from their expertise and lived experience as academics and researchers.
Date: 11/14/24 (Thursday) & Time: 12 pm–1 pm (Mountain Time)
Details: CEUs 1 | Level: All | Cost: Free
Title: [Listen] Listening Session: Social Workers of New Mexico Survey
Presenters: Survey Research Team Members Sreyashi Chakravarty, PhD; Mónica Rae Otero, LMSW & Anna Nelson, PhD, LCSW
Organizer: Center for Excellence in Social Work
Location: Zoom | Registration: Closed
Description: The Center for Excellence in Social Work invites you to a Listening Session about the recommendations and action steps that came out of the 2024 Social Workers of New Mexico Survey. This is a virtual Lunch & Discuss event. There will be a brief overview about the survey by research team members but the majority of the event will be an opportunity to share your experience and thoughts about putting needed change into action.
Date: 11/20/24 (Wednesday) & Time: 12 pm–1 pm (Mountain Time)
Details: CEUs None | Level: Emerging | Cost: Free
Title: [SANA Event] Legislative Advocacy & Running for Office as a Social Worker
Presenters: Karen Canaday, MSW, Local Behavioral Health Collaborative Coordinator, State of New Mexico Behavioral Health Services Division; Victor Manalo, PhD, MSW, Political Social Worker and Faculty at California State University, Los Angeles & Kimberly Warmsley, MSW, LCSW, Executive Director, National Association of Social Workers California Chapter (NASW-CA) & Interim Executive Director, NASW-NM
Organizer: Center for Excellence in Social Work
Location: Zoom | Registration: Closed
Recording: Click Here
Description: Hear from panelists about their policy experience, student legislative advocacy, social work legislation and social workers running for and holding political office. Student Advocacy and Action (SANA) consists of a series of virtual events leading up to an in-person day at the New Mexico Legislature (Roundhouse). This is an opportunity for social work students from across the state to learn how to plan for, follow, and engage with the legislative session. The content of SANA events is for a student audience and not eligible for CEU credit.
October 2024
Date: 10/9/24 (Wednesday) & Time: 6 pm–7:30 pm (Mountain Time)
Details: CEUs 1.5 Cultural | Level: All | Cost: Free
Title: [Social Justice Teach-in] Racial Justice: Black Social Work History, Racism and Oppression in Social Work
Presenters: Christian Adeleke, LMSW, PhD Student, University of Texas at Arlington School of Social Work; Justin S. Harty, PhD, MSW, LCSW, Assistant Professor of Social Work, Arizona State University School of Social Work & Kathy Lopes, LICSW, Vice President, National Association of Black Social Workers (NABSW) | Facilitator: Isabella Serrano, Center Graduate Assistant, MSW Student
Organizer: Center for Excellence in Social Work
Location: Zoom | Registration: Closed
Recording: Click Here
Description: Join the Center for Excellence in Social Work (Center) for a conversation about self-determination, mutual aid, Black social work history, Black social work leaders, and the maintaining of White supremacy within the social work profession and social work education. Among the topics covered will be how can social workers honor and learn from the cultural expertise of the communities we serve? What is social work and where did it start? The efforts communities of color are making to make sure their needs are met and how the profession can assist in these efforts. A through line will be made from learning and engaging with history, current impacts, and our future.
Date: 10/11/24 (Friday) & Time: 4:30 pm–6 pm (Mountain Time)
Details: CEUs 1.5 | Level: All | Cost: Free
Title: [Info] Policy Information Session: LMSWs and Telehealth Services, Alternative Pathways to Social Work Licensing and Interstate Licensing Compacts
Presenters: Dr. Mary Nienow, Director, NMSU School of Social Work; Jen Panhorst, LCSW, Interim Director, UNM School of Social Work & Kenneth Winfrey, CEO, Umoja Behavioral Health
Organizer: Center for Excellence in Social Work
Location: Zoom | Registration: Closed
Recording: Click Here | Slides: Click Here | Policy Brief: Click Here
Description: In anticipation of the upcoming New Mexico 2025 Legislative Session, the Center for Excellence in Social Work is organizing a series of statewide policy information and listening sessions to bring the voices of social workers and community leaders to legislators. The first session will be informational (presentation-based) and the following listening sessions will be conversational. Topics of these sessions will include LMSWs and Telehealth Services, Alternative Pathways to Social Work Licensing and Interstate Licensing Compacts. CEU credit for attendees will be available by request.
Date: 10/16/24 (Wednesday) & Time: 12 pm–1 pm (Mountain Time)
Details: CEUs None | Level: Emerging | Cost: Free
Title: [SANA Event] Environmental Justice & Legislative Advocacy
Presenters: Shelley Mann-Lev, MPH, Executive Director, Healthy Climate New Mexico; Anna Nelson, PhD, LCSW, Director, NMHU FVSSW Center for Excellence in Social Work & Kristina Ortez, MPA, State Representative for District 42
Organizer: Center for Excellence in Social Work
Location: Zoom | Registration: Closed
Recording: Click Here
Description: Hear from panelists about their policy experience, Environmental Justice, related legislation and legislative research. Student Advocacy and Action (SANA) consists of a series of virtual events leading up to an in-person day at the New Mexico Legislature (Roundhouse). This is an opportunity for social work students from across the state to learn how to plan for, follow, and engage with the legislative session. The content of SANA events is for a student audience and not eligible for CEU credit.
Date: 10/17/24 (Thursday) & Time: 6 pm–7:30 pm (Mountain Time)
Details: CEUs None | Level: All | Cost: Free
Title: [Listen] Policy Listening Session: LMSWs and Telehealth Services, Alternative Pathways to Social Work Licensing and Interstate Licensing Compacts
Organizer & Facilitator: Center for Excellence in Social Work
Zoom Link: Closed
Description: In anticipation of the upcoming New Mexico 2025 Legislative Session, the Center for Excellence in Social Work is organizing a series of statewide policy information and listening sessions to bring the voices of social workers and community leaders to legislators. This listening session will be conversational and open to the public. Topics will include LMSWs and Telehealth Services, Alternative Pathways to Social Work Licensing and Interstate Licensing Compacts. A recording of the informational session and a survey are available for those not able to participate in real time. Listening sessions are not eligible for CEU credit.
Date: 10/18/24 (Friday) & Time: 11:30 am–4 pm (Mountain Time)
Details: CEUs 3.5 Cultural | Level: All | Cost: Listed with registration
Title: [Community Partner] Critical Race Social Work Praxis: Manifesting Models of Liberation
Presenters: Keynote: Alan J. Dettlaff, Racism and Resistance in Family Policing and Social Work; Panel Conversation: Presenting Pathways to Liberation, Breakout Presentations and
Workshops & more
Organizer: Critical Race Scholars in Social Work (CRSSW)
Location: Zoom | Registration: Closed
More information: Click Here
Description: The Center for Excellence in Social Work is a CEU provider for the CRSSW’s 4th Biannual Virtual Convening. In addition to the keynote presentation, discussions will explore new models for liberation. The convening will include a panel of critical race scholars and practitioners in addition to presentations and workshops. The CRSSW network was formed to provide a space for social work faculty and practitioners to engaged in the praxis of Critical Race Theory (CRT).
Date: 10/21/24 (Monday) & Time: 6 pm–7:30 pm (Mountain Time)
Details: CEUs None | Level: All | Cost: Free
Title: [Listen] Policy Listening Session: LMSWs and Telehealth Services, Alternative Pathways to Social Work Licensing and Interstate Licensing Compacts
Organizer & Facilitator: Center for Excellence in Social Work
Zoom Link: Closed
Description: In anticipation of the upcoming New Mexico 2025 Legislative Session, the Center for Excellence in Social Work is organizing a series of statewide policy information and listening sessions to bring the voices of social workers and community leaders to legislators. This listening session will be conversational and open to the public. Topics will include LMSWs and Telehealth Services, Alternative Pathways to Social Work Licensing and Interstate Licensing Compacts. A recording of the informational session and a survey are available for those not able to participate in real time. Listening sessions are not eligible for CEU credit.
Date: 10/30/24 (Wednesday) & Time: 10 am–2 pm (Mountain Time)
Details: CEUs 3.5 Cultural | Level: All | Cost: Free
Title: [Community Partner] LGBTQ+ Child Welfare Southwest Virtual Convening
Presenters: Various
Organizers: 1999 Collective, Colorado’s Office of the Child’s Representative, Casey Family Programs, Lambda Legal, Children’s Action Alliance, Unicorn Solutions, Office of Family Representation and Advocacy, Fostering Advocates Arizona & Silver State Equality
Location: Zoom| Registration: Closed
Description: The Center for Excellence in Social Work is a CEU provider for the LGBTQ+ Child Welfare Southwest Virtual Convening. Lambda Legal and Casey Family programs are excited to collaborate with youth with lived experience in Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, and Utah to promote best practices for supporting and affirming child welfare system-involved LGBTQ+ youth and families, LGBTQ+ community organizations, child advocates, tribes, and judges will share strengths and challenges in the work, build additional support, and develop strategies to improve safety, permanency, and well-being outcomes.
September 2024
Date: 9/4/24 (Wednesday) & Time: 6 pm–7:30 pm (Mountain Time)
Details: CEUs 1.5 Cultural | Level: All | Cost: Free
Title: [Social Justice Teach-in] The Personal and the Collective: Japanese American Prison Camps of New Mexico & Cultural and Collective Traumas
Presenters: Nikki Nojima Louis, PhD, MFA, Special Projects Coordinator & Artistic Director, New Mexico Japanese American Citizens League (NMJACL) & Anna Nelson, PhD, LCSW, Director, NMHU FVSSW Center for Excellence in Social Work | Facilitator: Isabella Serrano, Center Graduate Assistant, MSW Student
Organizer: Center for Excellence in Social Work
Location: Zoom | Registration: Closed
Recording: Click Here
Description: Join the Center for Excellence in Social Work (Center) for a conversation between Dr. Louis and Dr. Nelson. In advance of the performance of the reader’s play, Confinement in the Land of Enchantment: Japanese American Prison Camps of New Mexico at NMHU FVSSW ABQ Center, Dr. Louis will share about her experience as a Japanese American writer, performer, artist and activist. Coming to this conversation from a social work perspective, Dr. Nelson, a Critical Race scholar, educator and social work practitioner will share about Critical Trauma Theory and cumulative, cultural, and collective traumas and the simultaneous expression of cultural and identity capital and community cultural wealth for Black, Indigenous and People and Communities of Color and LGBT+ People.
Date: 9/6/24 (Friday) & Time: 1 pm–3 pm (Mountain Time)
Details: CEUs None | Level: All | Cost: Free
Title: [Social Justice Performance] Confinement in the Land of Enchantment: Japanese American Prison Camps of New Mexico
Presenters: New Mexico Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) Players
Organizer: Center for Excellence in Social Work, with snacks provided by ABQ/Rio Campus Life
Location: NMHU FVSSW Albuquerque Center | Registration: Closed
Recording of a Previous Performance: Click Here
Description: Written and directed by Nikki Nojima Louis, Confinement in the Land of Enchantment, is adapted from a book of the same name and shares the Japanese American experience of prison camp incarceration in New Mexico during World War II. Event attendees will hear the stories shared by elders who have personal experience with these internment camps through a reader’s theater performance. This play provides insight both into our history as New Mexicans and how the sharing of personal histories allows for increased understanding and community connection in the present. This performance is a community event that is not eligible for CEU credit.
Date: 9/18/24 (Wednesday) & Time: 12 pm–1 pm (Mountain Time)
Details: CEUs None | Level: Emerging | Cost: Free
Title: [SANA Event] Social Work Policy Analysis & Advocacy in New Mexico
Presenters: Charles Reado, LMSW, MBA, Acting Director, State Office of African American Affairs; Clifford M. Rees, JD, Retired State Government Attorney w/ 23 years service at the New Mexico Department of Health (DOH) and Seasonal Staff at the New Mexico Legislature since 2006 & Charles Sallee, MSW, Director, New Mexico Legislative Finance Committee (LFC)
Organizer: Center for Excellence in Social Work
Location: Zoom | Registration: Closed
Recording: Click Here
Description: Hear from panelists about their policy experiences, the ongoing Interim Legislative Committee meetings, legislation impacting behavioral health services and workforce, policy analysis and what is upcoming. Student Advocacy and Action (SANA) consists of a series of virtual events leading up to an in-person day at the New Mexico Legislature (Roundhouse). This is an opportunity for social work students from across the state to learn how to plan for, follow, and engage with the legislative session. The content of SANA events is for a student audience and not eligible for CEU credit.
Paid Event Registration, Payment, and Cancellation
Registration for paid Professional Development Workshops:
Everyone must register and pay online. The last day to register for a workshop is three days prior to its start date. Most of our workshops are capped at 30 attendees. A confirmation email will be sent verifying registration. Virtual participants must log in on time and stay for the duration of the virtual workshop in order to get full CEU credit.
Payment:
Payment is due online at the time of registration. There is no fee for students enrolled in a social work program located in New Mexico. If you have questions regarding your eligibility for free workshop participation under the current student option, please email socialworkceu@nmhu.edu.
Cancellation:
If you must cancel your attendance, please inform the Continuing Education Program immediately by email at socialworkceu@nmhu.edu. This will allow someone else to attend if the workshop is filled.
No refunds are given unless the Center for Excellence in Social Work cancels the workshop. If a workshop is canceled due to low enrollment, participants will be notified via email at least three days before the workshop takes place.
Interested in presenting a topic?
Apply for Center Funded Opportunities to Share your Expertise: https://forms.office.com/r/Mt7DYrRCmv
Contact Information
Professional Development
Center for Excellence in Social Work
Facundo Valdez School of Social Work
New Mexico Highlands University
e: socialworkceu@nmhu.edu
p: 505-260-6197
w: nmhu.edu/ceu