Our Story
Support CESW
The Center envisions a mission-aligned, diversified funding structure that includes generating fee-for- service revenue for reinvestment into its continuing education services, and pursuing funding from regional and national charitable foundations such as W.K. Kellogg, Con Alma, and Robert Wood Johnson Foundations, the City of Albuquerque, state sources such as New Mexico’s Health, Public Education and Children, Youth and Families Departments, and federal funding sources, such as the U.S. Department of Labor and Health Resources and Services Administration
Center for Excellence in Social Work
Strengths & Challenges
In Fall, 2023, a strategic analysis was conducted to map existing workforce training and development efforts. This analysis highlighted the need for relational approaches to workforce development, culturally relevant continuing education and the establishment of a statewide network intermediary to promote data-driven solutions to social work workforce challenges. Possessing deep roots of service and partnership with Latine/Afro-Latine and Indigenous peoples, and members of communities in Northern and rural New Mexico, the Center’s work is distinguished from other initiatives with a similar focus. The Center’s core priorities align with unmet workforce training needs statewide, preventing duplication of existing efforts. Its Continuing Education Program has strong statewide reach to 1200 members. Finally, the Center’s team is grateful for its existing robust, productive collaborative relationships with workforce entities statewide who are supportive of the Center’s work.
Despite these assets, some challenges were identified. First, the Center requires greater capacity to strategically respond to each of its four core priorities. The Center is focused on gaining resources to establish a
strong online and social media presence for increased accessibility to social workers statewide. We are currently seeking funding to sustain an online continuing education and professional development platform to extend our reach and impact. Finally, the Center is committed to increasing its research efforts so it may produce timely, accurate information on the social work workforce landscape and evidenced solutions and resources for workforce and practice needs.
Center for Excellence in Social Work
Community Impact
Students & Providers Statewide
Continuing Education Credits Issued
Cultural Continued Education Credits
Licensed Social Workers
The Center for Excellence in Social Work is making significant strides in addressing New Mexico’s critical shortage of behavioral health workers. Our reach extends to every corner of the state, empowering 1,167 students and providers with cutting-edge knowledge and skills. By issuing 1,237 continuing education credits, including 950 focused on cultural competence, we’re ensuring our workforce stays at the forefront of best practices. Our impact resonates through the 1,747 licensed social workers we support, each playing a vital role in meeting the mental health needs of our diverse communities. Through education, cultural sensitivity, and professional development, we’re not just filling gaps – we’re building a robust, responsive network of care that touches lives across New Mexico, from urban centers to our most rural counties.
Center for excellencew in social work
Our Purpose
New Mexico faces urgent healthcare provider shortages, including behavioral health workers, with rural counties most significantly under-resourced (Segarra, 2023). As of October 1, 2023, only 17.88% of the mental health care need was met, well below the national average of 27.19% (USHHS HRSA, 2023). As shortages persist, behavioral health outcomes steadily decline, overwhelming our workforce capacity to respond to emergent needs for New Mexico’s people, families and communities. The first of its kind in the U.S. Southwest, the Center is taking the lead in identifying and promoting data-driven solutions to these workforce challenges.
HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT THE CENTER
2024 Activities
We are grateful for your interest in supporting the Center’s work. If you would like to learn more about the Center and its impact statewide or to become a partner, please contact ceswnm@nmhu.edu.
Environmental Justice Legislative Certificate of Recognition
ACOSA Partnership & Development of a Community Practice Certificate
New Mexico Social Work Workforce Asset Map & Needs Assessment
Culturally and Identity Relevant Continuing Education to More that 500 People
First Annual New Mexico Social Work Education Summit
Fund Raising Strategies
The Center envisions a mission-aligned, diversified funding structure that includes generating fee-forservice revenue for reinvestment into its continuing education services, and pursing funding from regional and national charitable foundations such as W.K. Kellogg, Con Alma, and Robert Wood Johnson Foundations, the City of Albuquerque, state sources such as New Mexico’s Health, Public Education and Children, Youth and Families Departments, and federal funding sources, such as the U.S. Department of Labor and Health Resources and Services Administration.
Operating Budget
The Center is a Research and Public Service Project funded through the New Mexico State Legislature. We receive $500,000 annually for personnel salaries and fringe benefits, travel, technology and event costs. We also reinvest this funding in our stakeholders by offering compensation to social work students for their advisement and event participation and to social work faculty and practitioners statewide for research, policy and practice brief development, continuing education presentations, and the development of training curricula.
Contact Information