UTEP Social Work

01/04/2021

NASW Texas

Social workers- save the date for the NASW/TX SWAD 2021! This year we will be hosting a virtual social work advocacy WEEK, don't miss out! More info: https://bit.ly/2IOFbYN

12/21/2020

National Association of Social Workers

This year #NASW marks the 60th Anniversary of the NASW Code of Ethics first published in 1960. It provides ethical guidance to the #socialwork profession. Join us in our promise to recommit to its values & principles. Thank you #NASW NEC for your help on this project!

12/18/2020

IFSW Statement on International Migrants Day – International Federation of Social Workers

IFSW Statement on International Migrants Day – International Federation of Social Workers

IFSW Statement on International Migrants Day Information Type: News, StatementTopic: Human RightsDecember 18, 2020Over 270 million people a year migrate internationally. Among them are 20.4 million refugees. The International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) Human Rights Commission observes Inter...

12/01/2020

NASW Texas

NASW/TX 2021 open leadership positions have been announced! Run for an open position to grow your skills and expand your network. Application deadline is January 13. More info, https://bit.ly/3f2TK6Q

12/01/2020

IFSW International Federation of Social Workers

Even under the pandemic, Social workers still advocate for the maintenance of essential service and play a key role in the care of the infected and affected individuals thus, enabling more access help in good time. The power of 'UBUNTU'
Happy World Aids day

10/27/2020

NASW-Rio Grande Branch

Texas Social Workers for a BIG WIN today! BHEC votes unanimously to send forward SW code of conduct rules originally presented in July including protection against discrimination for: gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation and disability.

Advocacy makes a difference! Your continued efforts to advocate against removing protections for people with disabilities & LGBTQIA+ Texans were heard loud and clear! More updates to come!
#StandWithTXSocialWorkers

10/27/2020

Oct 27 BHEC statement FINAL.pdf

Oct 27 BHEC statement FINAL.pdf

10/19/2020

MSW UTEP Student Statement on TSBSWE Ruling - Code of Conduct - National Association of Social Workers Texas

https://www.naswtx.org/news/530964/MSW-UTEP-Student-Statement-on-TSBSWE-Ruling---Code-of-Conduct.htm

NASW Texas Chapter 810 W. 11th Street | Austin, TX 78701-2010 Ph: 512.474.1454 | Fax: 512.474.1317 [email protected]

10/06/2020

UTEP Social Work Faculty Member Awarded Top Mexican Government Honor

UTEP Social Work Faculty Member Awarded Top Mexican Government Honor

EL PASO, Texas — Eva Moya, Ph.D., associate professor of social work at The University of Texas at El Paso, has been recognized with the regional 2020 Ohtli Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Mexican government to individuals who have aided, empowered or positively affected the lives of Mexi...

09/25/2020

UTEP Social Work's cover photo

08/23/2020

NASW-Rio Grande Branch

Meet our steering committee!!

Be on the lookout for an email from us soon!

08/21/2020

Centennial Museum and Chihuahuan Desert Gardens

08/13/2020

CDC

New MMWR report shows Americans are struggling with mental health or substance use issues during the COVID-19 pandemic. More mental health services and resources are critical at the state and local levels. Learn more: bit.ly/MMWR81320.

08/13/2020

How to lift your mood during the long-haul of remote work

How to lift your mood during the long-haul of remote work

Get back to performing your best with simple and science-backed methods to combat negative feelings.

08/11/2020

Adam Mccormick to present at NASW TX meetings

Why register the 2020 NASW/TX Virtual Conference?
To hear the plenary session “Trafficking LGBTQ+ Youth and Youth in Foster Care” presented by Adam McCormick, PhD, MSW - Examine the added vulnerabilities of LGBTQ+ youth to homelessness and trafficking, using an intersectional approach to look at the experiences of LGBTQ+ youth of color. Be a part of an interactive and experiential approach to explore a number of factors associated with the well-being and safety of LGBTQ youth in care. Register by August 3 & save $30! https://www.naswtx.org/page/conference

07/27/2020

Farmworkers Are Among Those at Highest Risk for COVID-19, Studies Show

Farmworkers Are Among Those at Highest Risk for COVID-19, Studies Show

Studies show agricultural workers are among those at highest risk of contracting COVID-19. In the fields, harvest crews work side-by-side cutting rows of vegetables, making it impossible to keep six feet apart. Housing is scarce and expensive, so multiple families often crowd into one small home.

07/24/2020

NASW Texas

NASW Student Members, register for the 2020 NASW/TX Virtual Conference by August 3 and pay just $60 for full conference benefits! If you're a student and not yet a member, you'll save more than $200 by joining NASW and registering as a student member. Just sayin'! https://www.naswtx.org/page/conference

07/21/2020

YWCA El Paso Del Norte Region

Have you registered for YWCA's 11th Annual Race Against Racism yet?? The event is virtual this year and each registration includes an Eliminate Racism. t-shirt. Your registration supports YWCA's racial justice, women's empowerment, and social equity work. Register today! https://www.ywcaelpaso.org/ywca-virtual-race-against-racism/

07/18/2020

National Association of Social Workers

National Association of Social Workers

The National Association of Social Workers is the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world, with over 140,000 members. NASW works to enhance the professional growth and development of its members. Visit socialworkers.org

07/15/2020

NASW Texas

Why attend the 2020 NASW/TX Virtual Conference? To hear the keynote presentation, "Anti-Racism Social Work: Moving Beyond Cultural Competence", by Dr. Thema Bryant-Davis, a licensed psychologist and director of the Culture and Trauma research lab at Pepperdine University. She is a past psychology representative to the United Nations and a media consultant to NPR, CNN and BET. Register by August 3 & save $30! https://www.naswtx.org/page/conference

07/12/2020

Deja profunda huella en área de trabajo social catedrático de UTEP

El Diario de El Paso

Catedrático de UTEP se retira tras haber creado un programa único de maestría

07/09/2020

NASW Texas

Early Bird Registration is now open for the 2020 NASW/Texas Virtual Conference which will take place on October 8-10. Earn up to 22 CEs at the live webinars and up to 42 CEs total. Register by August 3 & save $30! More, https://www.naswtx.org/page/Conference

07/07/2020

Professor Mark Lusk to Retire

Professor Mark Lusk has announced his retirement from the University of Texas at El Paso effective August 31. Dr. Lusk has been a UTEP faculty member for 13 years having served as Founding Chair of Social Work and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. Prior to starting the MSW Program at UTEP, Mark was Director of International Programs at Oregon State University. He has also been Associate Provost at the University of Georgia, Associate Vice President for International Programs at the University of Montana, Founding Director of the School of Social Work at Boise State University and Chair, University of Wyoming. Professor Lusk was twice selected as a Senior Fulbright Scholar, first at the Catholic University of Peru and later at the Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro. Fluent in Spanish and Portuguese, Dr. Lusk spent much of his career doing field work in Latin America. He has published extensively on migration and refugees and has worked on projects funded by the US State Department, the World Bank, the US Agency for International Development, the InterAmerican Development Bank, and the Asian Development Bank. An accomplished distance runner, Mark has run the Boston Marathon, Berlin Marathon, Portland Marathon, and California International Marathon, among others.

06/22/2020

UTEP College of Health Sciences

Department of Social Work Stands for Social Justice

Please see below message released from UTEP Social Work

We, the members of the Department of Social Work from the proud multicultural and binational community of El Paso, Texas, stand for Social Justice and support our sisters, brothers, and nonbinary companions in the face of oppression, systemic racism, violence, and brutality. Social Justice is a core social work value and it demands that all social workers, whether practitioner, academic, or researcher, uphold our Code of Ethics by taking deliberate actions to ensure that justice and equity exist in all communities. Social workers understand the history of oppression that has led black, brown, and all oppressed people to feel unsafe in their own country. As social workers, from a minority community, we work to dismantle oppressive institutional policies and practices while advocating for vulnerable and oppressed groups. As social workers, it is our duty and responsibility to address racism and all forms of social injustice by supporting and advocating for positive social change, a change where all people, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, ethnicity, age, ability, genetic information, veteran status, or immigration status, can live in peace without fear of oppression or discrimination.

06/09/2020

NASW Texas

NASW/TX stands in solidarity with Black Lives Matter. We must all call out the racism embedded in our country and communities at the macro and micro level, and as we watch the protests across the country escalate, we cannot remain silent about the outcomes people of color face in America. Black Lives Matter as a modern movement was born out of pain: when George Zimmerman was acquitted for the murder of Trayvon Martin in 2013, the Black Lives Matter hashtag began as its own form of protest. But the reality is that Black Lives Matter has existed in many forms, tacit and implied, since slavery was an official institution in our country, and that the overwhelming response from our systems and those in power in white America has been to minimize and ignore its message. All this has led to is more death, pain and divisiveness in our communities.

We will say their names, but we’ll never capture them all: George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, Mike Ramos, Sandra Bland, Eric Garner, Tamir Rice, Philando Castile… and the list goes on.

Sadly, there are far too many statistics that show the impact of structural racism on Black communities. But looking at what’s happening right now in our society and country is just as illuminating: COVID-19 has taken a higher death toll on black communities in Texas; in Ohio Black people are being arrested at four times the rate as white people for social distancing violations; a Black person is more likely to die while in police custody now than they were in 2014.

But the reality is we can’t turn a color-blind eye to our own profession. Social work is still predominantly a profession practiced by white women, who make up 70% of our ranks. Social workers work within and with education, child welfare, criminal justice, healthcare, housing and other systems that are all bent by structural racism. NASW/TX has never had a Black Executive Director at the helm. We cannot flinch from what we see in the mirror. But we can and should ask how to work towards change.

Social Work Speaks, NASW’s policy platform, specifically calls upon all social workers to continuously acknowledge, recognize and confront all forms of racism, within all of the institutions that are relevant to social work. In addition, section 6.04 of the Code of Ethics states: “social workers should act to prevent and eliminate domination of, exploitation of, and discrimination against any person, group, or class on the basis of race.” The message is clear: we must call out inequities when we see them, and this is why NASW/TX doesn’t want to just issue a statement of solidarity with Black Lives Matter – we want to support social workers as they move to becoming more antiracist in their work.

The reality is we’ve had this conversation many times before: at our conference through the powerful town halls and forums led by Dr. Joyce James and REAL Committee, in our social work classes and in ways small and large with our organizations, colleagues and clients. Have we listened and heard? Have we truly incorporated change? I ask as both a social worker and a part of NASW/TX, and I leave that answer up to each of you, but we want to make sure that right now, at yet another vital moment as our country continues to grapple with racism, we offer a place to step in and share.

NASW/TX will hold an open forum for members and other social workers that will be led by our members and leaders. We are working on the date and details now, and will share that soon. We want to provide a space where folks can lean into their discomfort to have these important conversations. This isn’t a debate about whether racism exists inside and outside the profession, but rather a place to discuss its impact on social workers, NASW, the folks we serve, and beyond. We want to cover issues such as white privilege, institutional racism, racism in social work, the chapter’s work in this area, policy changes in Texas and social justice antiracist work moving forward.

Change starts with a conversation and ends with action, and we ask no less of our members than to take action alongside the chapter.

06/03/2020

Statement from UTEP President Heather Wilson

Statement from UTEP President Heather Wilson

George Floyd was killed last week by someone sworn to protect him – someone sworn to protect all of us and the liberties we enjoy. It was evil and ugly. And as Mr. Floyd begged to be allowed to breathe, other officers stood by and did nothing.

06/02/2020

A Call to Social Workers to Act Against Racism and White Supremacy Now

A Call to Social Workers to Act Against Racism and White Supremacy Now

We awaken to near daily reminders of racist violence. Social workers must work to achieve social, racial, economic, and political justice for all. This is not only our professional responsibility; it is our moral responsibility.

06/01/2020

American Public Health Association

Racism is an ongoing public health crisis in the U.S. and it needs our attention now. Read APHA's full statement: https://www.apha.org/news-and-media/news-releases/apha-news-releases/2020/racism-is-a-public-health-crisis #GeorgeFloyd

05/31/2020

NASW Texas

National Association of Social Workers 2020 Virtual Conference Register & Join like-minded social work professionals & thought leaders June 15-17 for 3 days of streamed unparalleled prof development, continuing education & tackle the most pressing issues facing the social work profession https://buff.ly/2Tux8SW

05/22/2020

05/16/2020

UTEP College of Health Sciences

Celebrating the 2020 College of Health Sciences Outstanding Seniors

This May, the College of Health Sciences is celebrating its second cohort of Outstanding Seniors. The designation of Outstanding Senior is given to undergraduate students who exhibit leadership and academic excellence, and a commitment to service. In lieu of a recognition ceremony, the successes of these outstanding students will be recognized this year via the CHS website and social media platforms.

The 2020 College of Health Sciences Outstanding Seniors are:

Paulina Caraveo – Kinesiology: Through her participation as a lab member in the Fitness Research and Clinical Applied Physiology Laboratories, Paulina found a passion for research in exercise and cardiovascular health, and contributed to abstracts and manuscripts that were presented at local and national conferences. In addition to her scholarly contributions, Paulina advocated for her peers as president of the Pre-Physical Therapy Association as well as the Clinical Applied Physiology Research Association, an organization she created to encourage and promote interdisciplinary research at the undergraduate level. After graduation, Paulina plans to obtain her clinical exercise physiologist certification and apply to the UTEP Physical Therapy Program. After overcoming a serious health challenge herself, Paulina hopes to one day assist her own patients in the physical and psychological processes of recovery.

Aleli Fernandez – Health Promotion: Aleli’s struggles with a learning disability early in her academic career taught her the value of hard work and persistence. As Aleli crossed the finish line for each milestone, she set escalating goals for herself. While still a student at EPCC, Aleli participated in the BUILDing Scholars summer research program, an experience that ultimately led her into a position as a research assistant for the UTEP Minority AIDS Research Center. Today, the Terry Scholar and officer for Eta Sigma Gamma looks forward to applying the skills she has learned in community health to her future studies in a master of public health program. This fall, she also plans to take the certified health education specialist (CHES) exam and looks forward to the opportunity to give back to her community.

Melissa Gutierrez – Social Work: From her very first semester at UTEP, Melissa was an active member of the UTEP community. Her experiences in the Minority Health International Research Program, Office of New Student Orientation, and the College of Health Sciences Dean’s Office gave her a keen understanding of the abundant opportunities available for professional development and meaningful community engagement. She was also inspired to create a new organization, Consulado Mexicano para el Cambio Social (CMCS), which aims to create high-impact changes and a better sense of community in the El Paso-Juarez borderplex. After graduation, Melissa plans to pursue a Master of Social Work degree and the clinical social worker licensure, and hopes to work with at-risk children.

Sarah Loveless – Rehabilitation Sciences (Concentration: Speech-Language Pathology): As a speech-language pathology major in the Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitation Sciences (BS-RHSC) program, Sarah quickly gained a close group of friends and a “new home” in the Campbell Building. She took advantage of multiple professional development opportunities, including a position in the UTEP Speech and Hearing Clinic and as the Community Service Chair Officer for the UTEP National Student Speech-Language and Hearing Association, where she helped raise funds for the 2019 Annual Walk for Children with Apraxia. In fact, the UTEP event was so successful that it now serves as a model for participating institutions across the country. After graduation, Sarah plans to pursue a master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology and use her training in American Sign Language to serve the Deaf community. Ultimately, she aspires to open her own practice and eventually return to UTEP as a professor.

Victoria Navarette – Rehabilitation Sciences (Concentration: Occupational Therapy): While managing a hectic schedule with full-time studies, research projects, shadowing professional occupational therapists, and family obligations, Victoria learned valuable lessons that she yearned to share with her peers, leading her to co-found the Aspiring Occupational Therapy Student Association. Victoria’s commitment to service extended into the community, where she volunteered with her local church and UTEP’s My Joyful Dance Program, which provides inclusive, adaptive ballet classes for children with disabilities such as Down syndrome. After graduation, Victoria will continue her studies in the UTEP Occupational Therapy Program and plans to continue participating in the AOTSA as a mentor to undergraduate students. She hopes to open her own practice in El Paso and serve children with disabilities and their families.

Laila Rajabi – Clinical Laboratory Science: Following the diagnosis of a chronic health condition, Laila ended a long teaching career to follow a second career path in clinical laboratory science. As a non-traditional student, she served as a mentor to her fellow CLS students, some of whom were her own students from her previous career. As Laila shared her professional experience and knowledge, her peers brought her up to speed on the newest technology. Laila credits the administration and faculty in the program for encouraging and supporting her during a time when a relapse in her condition midway through the program caused her to consider dropping out of school. Inspired by the work of her “science hero” colleagues in public health agencies who are battling COVID-19, Laila plans to pursue a career that combines her two passions of public health and clinical lab science.

Jozelyn Rascon – Rehabilitation Sciences (Concentration: Physical Therapy): The College of Health Sciences’ future Top Ten Senior started her undergraduate career feeling very unsure of herself. Jozelyn began her freshman year following multiple weekends of applying for every scholarship she could find. As she transitioned into her role as a college student, Jozelyn was awarded a BUILD scholarship and was placed in the Clinical Applied Physiology Lab, and the remainder of her academic journey fell into place. Jozelyn believes being pushed out of her comfort zone to write abstracts and attend academic conferences – something she never foresaw herself doing – has defined who she is today. After graduation, Jozelyn will continue her studies in the UTEP Physical Therapy Program and plans to pursue a specialization in neurology. She eventually hopes to open her own practice and serve her community of El Paso.

Meagan Smith – Kinesiology: During her time at UTEP, Meagan balanced a busy schedule of academic commitments, research in the MiNER Laboratory, volunteerism, family obligations, a position with a semi-professional soccer league for women, and a mentorship role for young girls in soccer teams. Despite her abilities and many successes, Meagan often second-guessed herself. She attributes her rotation experience in the Fitness in the Golden Age program with helping to boost her confidence levels. As clients began telling her that she inspired them to continue in the program, she finally recognized her capabilities. Her experience having to overcome multiple athletic injuries inspired her long-term goal of becoming a physical therapist. After graduation, Meagan plans to take the prerequisite requirements for the UTEP Physical Therapy Program, and apply to become a PT technician to continue building her clinical skills.

Elizabeth Trujillo – Rehabilitation Sciences (Concentration: Physical Therapy): As a first-generation college student, Elizabeth faced many challenges during her academic career, including a time following her mother’s illness when she was the sole provider for her family. Despite the tremendous pressure placed upon her, Elizabeth continued to work, excelled in her studies and also joined the Clinical Applied Physiology Laboratory. Elizabeth’s experience as an Entering Student Program Peer Leader helped to shape her character and provided an opportunity for her to help other students struggling to transition into college life. Following graduation, Elizabeth will begin the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at Texas Women’s University. She hopes to return to her community of El Paso to practice, and one day aspires to return to UTEP as a professor of physical therapy.

Shawn Vosburg – Social Work: Following a 29-year career in the Army, Shawn decided that he more to give, and rather than retiring, he set out on a second career path in social work. His acceptance at UTEP, despite being a “C student, at best, in high school,” was the first of many successes on his new academic journey. While at UTEP, Shawn participated in multiple student organizations and volunteered as often as he could—including a role as the volunteer coordinator for the annual HOPE Clinic at the Opportunity Center for the Homeless—and simultaneously met his second goal of remaining on the Dean’s List each semester. After graduation, Shawn will continue his studies in the UTEP Master of Social Work Program and will seek his certification as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. He hopes to specialize in post-traumatic stress disorder and complicated grief therapy services for veterans and first-responders.

Go Miners!