Raising the Bar: A Child Welfare Approach to Teaching and Supporting CYFD Field Workers and Children’s Court Attorneys
Workshop Description
Let’s make legal learning fun! In 2023, Dona Ana County Protective Services leaders identified knowledge gaps about legal timelines, filings, and court processes. Together with the legal and coaching team, they re-booted an old meeting and introduced Raising the Bar, a monthly one-hour legal collaboration and micro training series. Over the last year and a half, Raising the Bar has featured learning topics such as legal timelines, when to file reports, effective testimony, and comprehensive witness lists. In addition to micro-training, Raising the Bar includes hands-on legal writing workshops and mock trial where staff receive valuable testimony practice in an actual courtroom. Through our collaborative approach, Raising the Bar reaches all of Southern New Mexico monthly, and is growing! Come join us in this 2-hour PAID virtual workshop to hear from Children’s Court Attorneys and field staff about Raising the Bar, its positive impact on CYFD Protective Services staff, and our ingredients for success. Stay to brainstorm ways to increase the legal knowledge and skills of staff in your area.
2 Social Work CEUs | 2 CLEs
Trainers:
Laura Terrazas Masterson, LMSW; Kevin McBride, JD; Amy DeLaney-Hernandez, JD; María Angélica Varela, Children, Youth & Families Department (CYFD)
Trainer Bios:
Laura Terrazas Masterson, LMSW
Laura Terrazas Masterson is currently the Southwest Regional Coach with CYFD’s Workforce Development Bureau. She and her statewide team provide one-on-one coaching, group coaching, and skills building to Protective Services employees. Laura has worked with CYFD since 2014 as Permanency Planning Worker, In-Home Services Practitioner, and Permanency Planning Supervisor in both the Las Cruces and Anthony offices of Dona Ana County, and is humbled to be able to support frontline workers in southwestern New Mexico and statewide. When she isn’t at work, you can find Laura kayaking, camping, or hiking with her scout troop and family.
J. Kevin McBride, JD
J. Kevin McBride began his legal career as an Assistant State’s Attorney in Woodstock, IL (1989-1992). Went into private practice in 1992 handling mostly criminal defense, child welfare law and family law matters. Relocated to Las Cruces in 2016 to begin work as a Children’s Court Attorney in Silver City/Deming/Lordsburg until 2017. He was transferred to Las Cruces in 2017 and has been handling Abuse/Neglect case ever since. He has practiced in the South West Region since 2016, but has handled case in the South East Region and North East Region during shortages of CCAs in those regions. He was awarded the Children’s Law Institute Excellence Attorney in 2024. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Biology (1985) from Lawrence University, Appleton, WI and a Law Degree (1989) from Thomas M. Cooley (now Western Michigan), Lansing, MI.
Amy DeLaney-Hernandez, JD
Amy DeLaney-Hernandez earned her bachelor's degree in social work from Texas Christian University in 1993 and her law degree from University of New Mexico School of Law in 1999. She began her law career as the attorney for two southern New Mexico domestic violence women’s shelters before going into private practice where she largely concentrated on family and children’s law. In addition, she served as adjunct professor at Western New Mexico University in the areas of education, criminal, and business law. She spent many years representing parents, children, and youth in child abuse and neglect cases before joining Children, Youth and Families in 2019. She is passionate about access to legal services in rural counties and advocating for special education students in schools.
María Angélica Varela
María Angélica Varela holds an associate degree in Business Administration and Management, which she obtained in 2007, as well as a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, awarded in 2011. She is set to receive her master’s degree in Social Work from Western New Mexico University in 2025. María Angélica began her career with the Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) in 2005, starting inan administrative role. She later advanced to become a Regional Administrator and Supervisor for the Children’s Court Attorneys unit. In 2016, she transitioned to a field worker position and is currently a Supervisor for Investigations in Luna and Hidalgo County. María Angélica is passionate about advocacy and justice, which she believes are core principles of social work.
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