1st Annual Social Services Workforce Symposium

Dr. Steve Peterson

Arizona State University

Title

Sugar. Stressing the Body Since 1910.

Abstract

The consumption of sugar in the United States has increased significantly since the early 1900s, from an average of 40 pounds annually to approximately 150 pounds of sugar today. Excessive consumption of complex and free sugars provides varied degrees of aggravated stress upon the body leading to tissue inflammation, hypertension, stroke, cardiac events, cancer, asthma and depression. This increase in sugar consumption has been driven in part by the widespread availability of sugary processed foods and drinks. Sugar is quickly absorbed by the body, leading to rapid spikes in blood glucose levels and insulin production, which over time can lead to insulin resistance and other metabolic disorders. Furthermore, sugar consumption can lead to the production of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), which can cause inflammation and oxidative stress in the body, contributing to the development of chronic diseases. Some complex sugars, such as fructans found in wheat and other grains, onions and garlic, can trigger an immune response because they are poorly absorbed in the small intestine. This malabsorption causes gastric distress and compromises digestive processes. Efficient and effective digestion is critical to overall gut health as well as a healthy immune system response.

This session will empower participants with four key points to reduce internal physiological stress due to sugar consumption:

1) Practical definition of simple, complex and free sugars

2) What happens to the body within a week of reducing sugar intake

3) How insulin production causes feelings of stress, anxiety and panic

4) Managing craving and addictive properties of sugar consumption

Alvin L. Sallee, LISW, ACSW, Chair, Social Work Workforce Task Force

Senator Jerry Ortiz y Pino, MSW, Chair, Legislative Health and Human Services Committee

Rep. Eleanor Chavez, MSW, Health and Human Services Committee

Ms. Zoe C. Pinckley, PLMSW

TITLE

The Pathway to a Full Social Work Workforce

ABSTRACT

Come join us and participate in an activity where together we will chart the challenges and strengths plus solutions to achieving a culturally competent, diverse Social Work Workforce in New Mexico. Senator Ortiz y Pino, Representative Chavez and Prof. Sallee will share how the Force got to where it is as we see it while listening to how you see the resources to meet the need. Be a trail blazer as New Mexico is one of the first, if not only state which is working to promote the Social Work Workforce. 

Speaking about the promise and potential of culturally, affirming, equity-focused, universal social and emotional learning, and experiencing some foundational lessons

Dr. Christy Kane

TITLE

Mental health champions have their own trauma

ABSTRACT

Mental health needs have steadily increased since the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as burnout among social service workers. Dr. Kane takes her audience on an adventure as they navigate the window of tolerance and trauma together. Their journey begins with an exploration of trauma and mental health, uniquely tailored to focus on the experiences and needs of social service workers. This is followed by a discussion of common workplace challenges and solutions. During their journey, they learn daily prevention and intervention strategies. Using practical strategies and tools, she teaches her attendees how to strengthen mental health and belonging practices in the workplace by implementing trauma-informed practices. As a result of this adventure, social service professionals will develop increased confidence to conduct mental health conversations. They will also gain practical skills and tools to manage their own mental health. In addition, they will receive suggestions on strategies to make their practice more effective.

Learning Objectives:

1. Expand understanding of trauma and how it manifests itself in the lives of social service workers.

2. Receive practical exercises to implement personally and professionally to decrease burnout, stress, and loneliness.

3. Enjoy supportive resources to empower you as a mental health professional to confidently talk about mental health in the workplace. In addition, you can expand your resources and offerings to your clientele.

Erin Sibley Doerwald, LCSW, CMT-P, RYT-200 

Psychotherapist, certified mindfulness and yoga teacher, and resiliency authority based in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

TITLE

Head, Home, and Heart: Mindfulness, Yoga, and Compassion Practices to Enhance Resilience and Prevent Vicarious Trauma

ABSTRACT

Head, Home, and Heart makes the case that compassionate service does not have to lead to

vicarious trauma and in fact, compassion practices may be the fundamental fuel that keeps us

going. This workshop will be a combination of didactic information and experiential exercises.

The session will provide achievable ways to weave simple mind-body techniques into the fabric

of one’s day as well as practical tips on how to start and stick with daily mindfulness and yoga

practices for one’s holistic wellbeing. Head, Home, and Heart is tailored for the professionals

who care so deeply for others and are looking for that first courageous step towards learning how to care for themselves.

Dr. Justine Saavedra

Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, Albuquerque, NM

Sandoval Regional Medical Center

Authors: A.S Crisanti, J.L Saavedra, C.M. Caswell, R. Frock, C. Thomas

TITLE

Peer Support Model to Address Substance Use Disorders Treatment Engagement in Rural Communities (Panel Discussion)

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this panel discussion will be to provide an overview of a project being implemented in Sandoval County that aims to identify individuals with substance use disorders (SUD) within a hospital setting and link those determined eligible to evidence-based, culturally informed, and trauma-focused treatment. The target population includes individuals aged 18 or older, who present to the emergency department (ED) or who are admitted to an inpatient medical unit at the Sandoval Regional Medical Center, and whose reason for presentation is alcohol or substance use related. The project is being funded through congressionally delegated funds allocated by Senator Ben Ray Luján.

Katie Ellis, LMSW, ADAC 

Eli Fresquez, Ph.D., LISW/LCSW

TITLE

Addressing Ableism in the Workplace

ABSTRACT

In the workplace individuals with disabilities must contend with prejudices that hinder social inclusion and overall work performance. A prevalent prejudice which individuals with disabilities face is Ableism. Ableism is the belief that individuals with disabilities are incapable of leading fulfilling lives or can contributing meaningfully to society. Specifically, ableism is the discrimination of and social prejudice against people with disabilities based on the belief that typical abilities are superior. Like racism and sexism, ableism classifies entire groups of people as 'less than,' and includes harmful stereotypes, misconceptions, and generalizations of people with disabilities.

Presentation objectives are to:

• understand Ableism and the negative effects it has on the workplace and workforce.

• bring to consciousness the need to commit to address Ableism, Racism and Sexism in the workplace.

• advocate to provide education and mental health services to those who need assist in addressing their Ableism.

Kim Knox, Ph.D., LCSW Assistant Professor NMSU 

TITLE

The Mentoring Connection of NM: How Mentoring can Support the Social Work Workforce

ABSTRACT

The mission statement of the program is to support sustainable professional growth and connections in the field of social work. The goal of the program is to establish supportive voluntary connections between early career or any social worker who would benefit from ongoing contact with other licensed social workers. The mentoring relationships intent is to emphasize helping the individual grow and accomplish goals and include several approaches to doing so. A mentoring experience may provide professional and career development support, role modeling, and psychosocial support; mentoring experiences should include planned activities and mutually agreed-upon goals and time commitments. Mentoring is about building networks and developing professional growth and resilience in the social work field through collegial relationships. 

This presentation will explore the rationale for a professional mentoring program for a sustainable social work workforce.

Mark Boschelli, LPCC, LADAC Behavioral Health Manager at SFCADF 

Joshua Trujillo, CPSW Re-entry Specialist at SFCADF 

Analyn “Bagel” Schwaegel, CPSW R.I.S.E. of Lifelink, inc. 

TITLE

Jail Reentry: Reducing Recidivism and Substance Abuse at the Santa Fe County Adult Detention Facility

ABSTRACT

The SFCADF Re-entry program, including one community re-entry specialist housed at the jail who is a person of lived experience, provides comprehensive transitional services.

Santa Fe County will employ the inmate graduates of our evidenced-based substance abuse treatment program which transitions into a reentry pod into difficult to fill county job vacancies. 

3 takeaways:

● 1) In 2017 the Santa Fe County Commission voted to have consumers pay another eighth of a cent in taxes for each dollar spent on most goods and services throughout tourist focused Santa Fe County funding two reentry specialists with lived experience employed by the jail.

● 2) The goals of the program are to reduce recidivism and the relapse rate for people with substance abuse through linkage and placement into residential treatment centers, opiate overdose reduction training, increase workforce readiness, create better employment opportunities, and promote stable families.

● 3) Santa Fe County will employ the inmate graduates into difficult to fill county job vacancies.

Jessica Stringfield, LPCC, LCSW (she/her)

SAF Resiliency Program Lead & SAF Internship Program Lead

North Texas Region

American Red Cross | Service to the Armed Forces (SAF)

TITLE

Got Interns? Removing Barriers for Military-Affiliated Graduate Students

ABSTRACT

This interactive workshop will discuss some of the unique challenges our military

community (active duty, reserve, guard, veterans, and family members) faces when trying to complete a graduate-level degree in mental health (social work, clinical mental health, marriage and family, psychology) degree. This workshop will include current best practices for mental health graduate-level interns, degree program accreditation requirements, and positive/negative reasons for taking on interns.

The presenter is a licensed mental health professional in both the LPCC and LCSW

licensure tracks, in six states, and provides clinical supervision in three states. She has

successfully created and implemented a sustainable 100% remote, with in-person options, graduate-level internship specifically focused on the social worker career field supporting the military community. The presenter’s work within the American Red Cross has received multiple awards for her work.

Kim Knox, Ph.D., LCSW

Assistant Professor NMSU

Stacy Gherardi, Ph.D., LCSW

Associate Professor NMSU

Title

The Pros and Cons of School Social Work Pre-Service Requirements: Workforce Development

Implications

Abstract

The state of New Mexico (NM) does not have any school social work specific pre-service

requirements prior to becoming employed as a school social worker (SSW). SSW in New

Mexico typically report they feel underprepared to work in schools unless they have had prior

experience in a field practicum placement. SSWs in NM learn school social work skills by

seeking out their own professional development opportunities, learning on the job, and by

seeking out mentors and supervision. A survey was recently conducted to compare roles,

responsibilities, and preparedness of school social workers across the country. SSW from

states that have SSW specified training and licensure requirements reported they felt prepared

upon graduation to enter SSW more than states that do not have pre-service specifications.

Having an additional requirement for SSW can have impacts on workforce development that

has both benefits and challenges. This paper presentation will discuss the results and

implications from the study, including the pros and cons of having a school social work specific

endorsements prior to being eligible to work in schools.