Regional Representatives

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  My name is Trish Castle. I am a lifelong New Mexican and current Bachelor of Social Work student of Eastern New Mexico University from which I will graduate in December of 2022. I hope to attend New Mexico Highlands University in 2023 to pursue an MSW with a clinical concentration. I completed a portion of my BSW Field Practicum working with students at a high school in the Los Lunas School District, observing and participating in behavioral interventions and the IEP process. I completed the second portion of my BSW field practicum working with the McKinney-Vento Liaison with the Los Lunas Schools, working closely with direct interventions, program administration, and building community partnerships. I am most interested in public policy and how policy shapes access for all, especially in the context of poverty, race, and ethnicity. Additionally, I am interested in the prevention of Adverse Childhood Experiences and worked through my field practicum with the 100% Communities effort in Valencia County.   I am seeking opportunities to enhance my skills in these realms. I am interested in learning more about the NASW-NM organization as well as representing Eastern New Mexico University.

My name is De’Vron Walker. My journey as a mental health and social service professional began in 2016 when I started employment at Sequoyah Adolescent Treatment Center. Sequoyah is a state-ran RTC for adolescent males with a history of violent behaviors and mental health disorders, resulting in a gap in their education. Over my 5 years there, I assisted in the classroom, responded to emergency crises, managed teams of up to 10 staff members, oversaw facility-wide schedules, utilized de-escalated techniques when needed, and played an active role on resident treatment teams. Working closely with social workers on these treatment teams made me realize I wanted to become one. Therefore, in December of 2019, I applied to the New Mexico State University Master of Social Work program, where I was accepted as a Child Welfare Scholar. I started the MSW program in the Fall of 2020 and have since earned 36 credits with a 3.8 GPA and am projected to graduate in May of 2023. I completed my first year of clinical experience at Haven Behavioral Hospital, where I was hired on after as an Intake Specialist. At Haven, I review, assess, and process incoming patients who either admit themselves or have been referred from other state psychiatric hospitals. Most patients I work with experience challenges with substance abuse, suicidal/homicidal ideation, and other severe psychiatric conditions. In addition to my education and professional experience, I think what makes me an asset to both the field of social work and to this Board, is my background. I am from Compton, California where I am the last surviving male of my generation due to gun violence. I grew up around extreme gang activity and had every odd against me in having a bright and prosperous future. However, through much trial and error, great mentors, and an immense amount of determination, I was able to come to Albuquerque, New Mexico on a track scholarship where I have since transformed my own life’s circumstances. Upon graduating with my undergraduate degree, my life immediately revolved around connecting community resources to community members through my roles as an educator, coach, and mentor. It is my life mission that others, like myself, are provided the support they need to transform their own life circumstances.