The Facundo Valdez School of Social Work at New Mexico Highlands University proudly announces the recent achievements of its Center of Excellence, presented to the Research and Public Service Project (RPSP) committee.
In partnership with the New Mexico Office of Family Representation and Advocacy (OFRA), the Center aims to enhance social work practices for LGBTQ+ children and youth within the child welfare system.
A groundbreaking event, sponsored by Lambda Legal and Casey Family Programs, brought together about 1,000 professionals from five states—Arizona, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, and New Mexico—to address the challenges faced by these communities.
“This initiative is a significant step toward addressing the unique needs of LGBTQ+ youth in child welfare, allowing professionals to network and share effective strategies.” Dr. Anna Nelson, Director of the Center, said in emphasizing the significance of the initiative.
The Center has also demonstrated its commitment to professional development by providing opportunities for 1,167 practitioners and students, strengthening the social work landscape in New Mexico.
The Center also played host to the 2024 Social Work Student Legislative Advocacy Day, empowering students to engage directly with policymakers.
“This event provided a unique platform for students to voice their perspectives and influence legislative decisions that affect their profession and communities,” Nelson said.
Additionally, the Center received New Mexico’s first House of Representatives Certificate of Recognition for its work in environmental justice.
“This recognition is especially significant as it highlights our ongoing efforts to integrate critical social issues into both the curriculum and practical applications within the field,” Nelson said.
The Center’s educational commitment is further exemplified by the introduction of the first Environmental Racism and Justice social work elective.
“This innovative course equips future social workers with the knowledge and tools to address environmental injustices that disproportionately affect marginalized communities,” Nelson explained. “By incorporating pressing topics into the academic framework, we are preparing students to become advocates for change in an increasingly complex world.”
Furthermore, the Center hosted the state’s inaugural Social Work Education Summit, which gathered representatives from the state’s five Schools of Social Work. This summit served as a collaborative forum for educators to share best practices, discuss challenges, and work together to improve educational and practice standards across the state.
Recognizing the importance of understanding workforce distribution, the Center created the first Licensed Social Workers in New Mexico by County Map.
“This valuable tool identifies provider drought areas across the state, highlighting regions that urgently need social work services,” Nelson said. “By visualizing workforce gaps, the Center aims to inform policy decisions and resource allocations to ensure a more equitable distribution of social work professionals throughout New Mexico.”
Complementing this effort, the Center recently presented a Social Workforce Brief to the Legislative Health and Human Services Interim Committee.
“This brief offers critical insights into workforce challenges and opportunities, helping to shape discussions around funding, training, and support for social work professionals,” Nelson said. “Through active engagement with practitioners statewide, the Center fosters a culture of collaboration essential for addressing the diverse needs of the communities it serves.”
The Center also conducted the first Social Workers of New Mexico Survey, sharing findings statewide to influence legislative dialogue.
“We’re fostering a culture of collaboration to meet diverse community needs,” Nelson said.
Looking into the future, the Center is establishing a Professional Development Institute, a forward-thinking initiative aimed at enhancing the skills and knowledge of social work professionals.
“This institute will offer professional certificates, continuing education opportunities, social work supervision resources and training for early-career and adjunct social work professionals” Nelson said. “By focusing on high-quality instruction and aligning with the 2022 Council on Social Work’s Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards, we aim to create a pipeline of skilled social workers ready to meet the challenges of the profession.”