EXTRACURRICULAR

This  year’s theme social work resilient in times of change is twofold. First we want to elevate professionals working directly with our children and youth as the superstars that they are. This is broader than just the CYFD worker. It is everyone working in the community which we have not built correctly around our youth and mamas. This profession is regarded as invaluable but compensated as disposable.

We hope that the  conference offers more resources, learning, and support we know is lacking in order for them be successful. It is time to change script on how we talk about those that are working with our  children and youth, and how we talk about our children. 

Second, is to bring to attention some of the historical and institutional  discrimination that exists within caregiving professions, familial roles  and responsibilities, who occupies them, and how our systems continue  to oppress them. This profession is mostly occupied by female identifying people and we are still held hostage to oppression and misogynist policies and values. The advocacy, the work, and the conditions are exhausting, even for the warriors. In order for true change to occur and be sustained we  all have to acknowledge our responsibility and positively lend to systematic change instead of breaking each other down. The blame and  shame does nothing to improve outcomes. It essentially works against the  goals to 1. Increase workforce ; 2. to improve quality and 3. to truly  heal the community for the purpose of a better opportunity for our youth  and children. 

Understanding Structural and Social Determinants of Health (SSDH) is integral to social work. Just as we address the  intersectionality of a person, we must address the intersectionality of  the practitioner. 

So  please come with open hearts and open minds, be kind to each other with  your words and actions, most of all enjoy the conference.

We are strongly encouraging mask wearing as a courtesy to your colleague who may be working with at risk populations 

BEFORE YOU CHOSE THE ONLINE OPTION PLEASE KNOW AND COMMIT TO THE FOLLOWING:

• You must have access to an individual email, computer or other device that can support virtual meetings, exchanging documents, using other virtual apps, storage options, and broadband connectivity.
• Your skill set must be high enough to register yourself, operate/install any necessary software, add-in, or app, and to use all the features associated with an app.   

You asked and we listened! Below are a few additional perks at this year's conference:

• Day 3 all attendees, general assembly for the abbreviated day
• Lunch provided every day on NASW-NM and our conference supporters
• Day 2 - 6p-7:30p an evening mixer, light snacks, cash bar, music
• The ever popular silent auction
• Visit your exhibitors in person and online!

Day One Focus: The profession-Providing tools to enhance competence.

• Conference Kickoff to begin at 8:15am
• Keynote address by Ms. Castillo-Smith, Human Services Department (HSD), interim Deputy Secretary will introduce the concepts of Structural and Social Determinants of Health.
• Three breakout sessions for professionals on topics relating to professional competence in SSDH.

Day Two Focus:  To provide cultural perspectives for professionals. 

• The day begins with the first of three breakout sessions at 9:00 am 
• Lunch will be provided to attendees
• Committee lunches will be hosted in breakout rooms for NASW-NM committees: Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Ethics, Indigenous, Conference and Legislative. 
  • Committee lunches are for existing committee members and prospective committee members. Prospective committee members must be aware that attendance at the committee lunch is for those who are earnestly interested in joining a committee and are committed to attending and actively participating in future committee meetings. Lunch will be provided to participants of committee meetings.
• Evening Social from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm. Hors d'oeuvres will be served and there will be a cash bar. 

Day Three Focus: Structural and Social Determinants of Health:

Increasing the resource wealth of both the profession as a whole and professionals within it. All presentations on day three are general assembly (all participants). 

• Keynotes and panels are state and congressional representatives. Sponsored breakfast 
• Governor’s Cabinet: Department Secretaries from: Public Education Department (PED), HSD, Higher Education Department (HED), Children Youth and Families Department(CYFD), Department of Health DOH,  Early Childhood Education and Care Department  (ECECD),  Development Disabilities Council (DDC), Aging and Long Term Services Department (ALTSD)
• Legislative Keynote from the NM delegate, Senator Ben Ray Lujan, and state staff.