By Mary Alice Murphy

At its quarterly meeting July 18, 2016, members of the Grant County Community Health Council heard a budget report and approved it. The process has proved a bit more difficult this year because the health council now has Grant County as its fiscal agent, so it has to comply with county procedures, using county format.

However, the good news, as presented by Cari Lemon, Health County coordinator, and praised by council Chairwoman Priscilla Lucero was that the council has enough money for two more years. Additional funding is being applied for and sought, so the council, which has been going through a transition from its former fiscal agent, Gila Regional Medical Center, is in good shape.

"I want to commend Cari for watching the dollars," Lucero said. "It gives us an opportunity to put money into line items, such as travel, so Cari can attend trainings. The line items coincide with county line items, so now the county can provide us monthly reports. A small cushion in the budget helps us reserve money in case of need and, if not spent, allows for carryover to the next year."

Lucero said two proposals have been submitted for more funding. "This just includes the existing budget we know we have."

This writer gave the Membership Committee report and said the Steering Committee had approved the committee's recommendation of Dan Otero, Hidalgo Medical Services chief executive officer, for membership. Also received after the committee's meeting was an application from the priest at St. Francis Newman Center, Fr. Jaroslaw "Jarek" Nowacki, to become the representative for the ministerial sector.

Otero thanked the group for the opportunity "to serve alongside you. We at HMS want to put a heavier emphasis on community integrations."

Nowacki said he looks forward to working with the group and "helping the people. I will do my best."

The process after approval of the applications is to present the new member for approval by the Grant County Commission. Otero's will go into the next commission agenda. Nowacki's will take a bit longer, because the next full council meeting will take place in September.

The next item of business was a discussion on what to do to honor recently retired members. A luncheon had been suggested, so Lemon had done some research on places and prices. She said because the county does not allow any expenditures for food, it would likely be Dutch treat, with members paying a bit extra to pay for the honorees' meals. Member Alicia Edwards said she would approach Rita Herbst at The Commons and see what price she could provide for a luncheon.

Lemon gave an update on the PullTogether initiative from the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department. She said Secretary Monique Jacobson had recently presented the proposal at a forum at Western New Mexico University, which drew about 100 people. "The concept is for communities in New Mexico to pull together to benefit children and families. Communities include organizations, agencies, individuals and anyone else who can identify resources in the community. We, Alicia (Edwards), Terry (Anderson), Heather (Costello) and I, called a meeting, which brought out about 38 people. We broke out in groups and determined each agency's top three priorities. Our objective is to put the information on the state site, which is quite comprehensive. We will meet again in September. We need to figure out how to train families and children to use the tool. People change at the agencies. How do we keep the process going?"

Edwards said the four of them had met and evaluated what PullTogether was supposed to do. "We are interested in making sure everyone knows what everyone else is doing, so we can improve access to resources. The next meeting will take place from 4:30-6:30 p.m. at Western's Besse-Forward Global Resource Center in the ABC rooms in September."

Lemon noted that other pieces, such as gaps in the Mining District, were coming out. "We need an expansion of services to meet their needs."

Edwards said the "tool" is available online only. "We may have to create access points where people who have challenges with access, can access the information."

Lucero said her agency, the Southwest New Mexico Council of Governments, regularly has discussion with federal agencies that do not understand the barriers in rural areas. "We have to continue to advocate."

Evangeline Zamora, representing the disabilities sector, said some areas in the region even have trouble receiving mail, as they may have to drive as many as two hours to get to the post office. "And cell phones often don't work."

Lucero agreed. "Officials don't have a sense of the obstacles. We have broadband issues, as well as language issues."

In an update on Department of Health funding for health councils, Lemon reported a 6 percent reduction, with the possibility of receiving $4,230 for the first deliverables, once documentation is submitted and accepted. The possibility to make it a total of $9,400 will come later.

Member Marilyn Alcorn, representing senior issues, asked about the requirements for the funding.

Member Mary Stoecker, representing public health, said the funding requires deliverables. "When we have done what we agreed to do, we provide documentation and receive the money."

Lucero said she fears if the Legislature holds a special session that further reductions in funding will occur.

Sector reports came next.

Member Kathleen Hunt, representing mental health, said Border Area Mental Health Services is seeing more court-ordered referrals of those with substance abuse issues and veterans with PTSD. "We are also being asked for marriage counseling and counseling of children. There is a lot of need. On another issue, I have a concern about law enforcement being targeted."

Zamora said July 26 is the 26th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. She also said the Legislative Committee on Health will meet in late August and have a discussion on disabilities. "It is a public opportunity and you can listen."

She also announced that the Early Intervention program has moved to 907 Pope St.

Member Judy O'Loughlin, representing the Extension Service, said that she and three othersG