Lead the successful effort in 1989 to secure multilevel licensing in NM along with third party reimbursement; also overcame Governor Johnson’s attempts to abolish licensing in 1996

Coordinated lobbying to extend social work licensing in 1997 and 2005; as a result of efforts, licensing extended now until 2016

Secured inclusion of licensed social workers as Medicaid and Medicare providers in NM

Brought about change in state educational standards recognizing social workers as reimbursable mental health providers in schools (because of this change, there has been over a 300% increase in school social workers in NM since 1991)

Organized protest of Presbyterian Health services’ decision to lower reimbursement rates for clinical social workers in 2004; Presbyterian restored and increased rates in spring 2005

Collaborated with Health Action NM to pass landmark Patient Protection Act legislation guaranteeing managed care consumers a bill of rights

Coordinated with the NM Psychological Association in passing important mental health parity legislation

Worked with Human Needs Coordinating Council in advocating successfully for the establishment of a public housing trust fund in 2005 and major unemployment reform in 2003

Took leadership role in exposing the abuses of the state’s Medicaid behavioral health program leading to a Congressional inquiry and major reforms

Since 2003, sponsored Student Legislative Advocacy Day with 237 social work students attending throughout NM in 2005

Helped organize campaign in 2004 & 2005 legislative sessions that reduced cuts to Medicaid by over $20 million dollars

Played leadership role with the NM Coalition to Repeal the Death Penalty in nearly passing historic legislation in 2005 to end capital punishment

Recommended (by chapter’s Native American Task Force) changes to proposed state welfare reform legislation that were later adopted

Provided several social work volunteers to work with local Red Cross in disaster situations, including the Cerro Grande fire

Annually awards $1,500 in scholarships to New Mexico social work students

Annually conducts one of the nation’s largest social work conferences