Ms. Barbara Palantone

Ms. Palantone is currently an Assistant Professor and Field Director of ENMU's Social Work Program. She joined the social work program in 2005 and has been working with the Program Director on the process of accreditation of the social work program through the Council on Social Work Education. As the Field Director and Liaison, Ms Palantone administers the field program, establishes field placement sites, trains field instructors, and monitors and supports students in their field placements.

Ms. Palantone earned her BA degree in Sociology from Fordham University in 1972 and her MSW degree with a concentration in Children and Families from New Mexico Highlands University in 1998. She has nearly 25 years of public child welfare experience with most of her career spent in the area of placement services (foster care and adoptions). Her career consisted of direct practice, supervision, and administration of child protective services programs in eastern New Mexico.

Ms. Palantone is a liaison for ENMU social work students and the NM Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers and encourages student participation in Student Legislative Advocacy Day. She continues to provide support to the NM Children, Youth, and Families Department through her efforts regarding community awareness of child abuse and neglect and the recruitment of foster and adoption families. In addition to child protection, Ms. Palantone's interests are in health care. Through the organization, People Living Through Cancer, Ms. Palantone provides support to individuals dealing with cancer and facilitates, Sister Strength, a monthly cancer support group for women. Ms. Palantone is enjoying her second career as an educator and is especially interested in preparing students for their professional careers in social work.

Ms. Palantone was born and raised in NYC and moved out west in 1973. She has been living in the Clovis- Portales area since 1979, enjoying the lifestyle and the people in New Mexico. Her close friendships and dedication to providing social services in resource-scare eastern New Mexico were factors in Ms. Palantone making New Mexico her home. Her favorite pastimes are laughing and spending time with friends and family, enjoying great food, spending time with her old companion dog, traveling, and reading. Ms. Palantone equally enjoys the art and culture in big cities and the beauty and serenity of nature.

Ms. Palantone can be reached at 575.562.4510 or via e-mail at Barbara.Palantone@enmu.edu. Her office hours for the Spring 2008 semester are:

• Tuesdays: 1:00-4:00
• Thursdays: 1:00-5:00