Valerie holds Master’s Degree in Social Work, currently a licensed Master level Social Worker. She works for the NM Department of Health, Office of School & Adolescent Health as a School Mental Health Advocate (SMHA) and serves the southeastern region of New Mexico. In her role as a SMHA she works with communities and school staff in providing consultation, assistance, and training concerning mental / behavioral health services.
Valerie is a certified Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) trainer which QPR is a suicide prevention program that trains gatekeepers how to save a life by preventing suicide. Valerie’s prior work experience has been as an investigator, permanency planning worker and supervisor for child protective services, and serving victims of crime at the 5th Judicial District Attorney’s Office.
Valerie is passionate about building her community to be the best place to live, work and play so she serves on the boards for WINGS for Life; Southeast Community Action HeadStart Program; Chaves County Health Council; and Chaves County Behavioral Health Leadership Council. If you know Valerie, you know that she dreams of owning a bistro style deli/bakery and her passion cooking and baking, her carrot cake cupcakes are her family’s favorite!