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Published: 21 March 2017 21 March 2017

By Mary Alice Murphy

Two guest presentations at the beginning of the Grant County Community Health Council meeting of March 20, 2017 addressed opportunities for members.

Kyle Meredith of the Grant County Search and Rescue group said the organization is always looking for more volunteers. "We are an all-volunteer group and always needs more members. We would be happy for you to attend one of our regular meetings to learn about us."

He handed out brochures about the organization and its mission and services. The brochure also lists what hikers should always plan for before a trek and what they should always carry on any hike whether for the day or an overnight stay.

Meredith explained the GCSAR operates under the jurisdiction of the New Mexico State Police, which always initiates a search. "State police call the incident commander, who then sends out a call for team members."

Search and rescue groups throughout the state often work with one another, with some groups having more specialized personnel.

He said that all volunteers provide their own gear and must receive regular, at least minimum training, including mock half day and full day training sessions.

"Everyone wants to be rescued by helicopter, just like in the news and movies, but that happens rarely," Meredith said. "Usually it's the ground team that finds them and gets them out. Often, we are out all night or all day and night. We go out in any kind of weather. But it's very rewarding, and I find it a lot of fun."

He warned hikers to "beware of the flooding Gila." Hikers go out on a sunny day and then the rains come, and they had crossed the river at a low point. "Do not try to cross the Gila when it is flooding." He said not only is it deeper, but huge logs can be carried by the water.

Health Council member Francesca Estevez asked what the qualifications were to become a search and rescue volunteer.

"Be able to hike distances," Meredith said. "We have other jobs, too, such as planning and being part of the incident command team."

Edith Lee, council alternate for Dan Otero, Hidalgo Medical Services chief executive officer, asked if the group takes any volunteer.

"Yes, until we or they find out they are not up to the job," Meredith said.

Lee also asked where the trainings take place and what the level of commitment was.

"Most are here, but some are held in other places," Meredith said. "(The commitment) varies by the year. Last year, we had hardly any until November and December when we had four. This year, we've already had two. The incident commander calls us, and sometimes, by the time he can get a team together, it is already resolved.

"We hold our meetings the third Thursday of every month," Meredith continued. "We usually have a one-hour training after the meeting, then trainings are held the following Saturday every other month. We try to accommodate the members with the training schedules."

Council member Marilyn Alcorn, representing the seniors sector, said she had briefly read through the brochure. "What is a signal beacon or spot?"

Meredith explained it was a device a person carries with him or her, which will show the person's location. "Some devices have just a signal, some have texting capabilities, but they have a monthly fee. People coming here from out of state to hike often don't realize that cell phones don't work everywhere."

The second presenter was Deb Frasca, LifeQuest executive director. "I wanted to tell you about the town hall that LifeQuest is facilitating along with Hidalgo Medical Services. It will be held from 5-7:30 p.m. Monday, April 3, 2017, at the HMS Community Health Center. It is to explain the new Medicaid and Medicare service rules to those who are advocates, family members or guardians for those receiving services through the developmental disability waiver, the mi via waiver or the medically fragile waiver, and anyone with a disability."

"We are in the throes of compliance," Frasca said. "If we are not compliant, we will be given a plan for correction of compliance. We don't have far to go."

Alcorn asked for an explanation of a disability waiver and whether it was for mental or physical disabilities.

"It's for both," Frasca said. "For instance, we can include TBI (traumatic brain injury) if it happened before the person was 22 years old. Some have mental illness with their development disabilities. To fit into the DD waiver, the injury or event has to be from before the age of 22."

Cari Lemon, Health Council coordinator, highlighted an item from her report. "The most significant thing was the Inmate Art Exhibit. About 100 people showed up to support it. Most of the art was from local inmates, but a couple of folks, including a grandmother, whose grandson is incarcerated in Texas, showed a few pieces. We had a lot of questions from people asking how to get involved and how to donate. I received an email from Lee Gruber of Syzygy Tile telling us that if any of the inmates were interested in learning with clay, she would donate materials."

Lemon said inmates were not able to attend, but one man who was incarcerated for five years and is now a successful businessman, showed some of his art pieces and said he was willing to be a mentor.

In coordinator updates, Lemon said she had not yet heard whether the Freeport McMoRan Community Investment Fund application would receive an interview.

In an update on the proposed date for a health council retreat, several members have indicated they would not be able to attend on the prior chosen date of April 20. Lemon said she would use Doodle software to try to determine a good date, with the majority winning.

She also asked whether the health council should take a role in being part of the contingency plan for securing the future despite the ebb and flow of the mines' productivity.

Council member Stewart Rooks, representing the agricultural sector, said not enough resources are available for many industries, except perhaps for agricultural-based enterprises. "We have to have the resources to be able to support new industry."

Connie Glenn of Workforce Solutions said it was important to have the right type of education for employees and sub-contractors.

Alcorn said it would be better for the area to attract businesses that create products to go out of the area. "Preferably one that doesn't need Grant Countians to be the consumers."

Rooks countered that importing parts to create products here is too expensive, as well as to export the products, because of being off the Interstate and not having regular train service. "Shipping costs would kill you."

It was suggested the conversation continue at the council retreat.

During sector reports, Lee asked about whether an action plan for the council existed. Lemon said she had sent it to Otero.

Alcorn, said she had concerns about the loss of the Senior Lifecycle and coordinator. "I know you're talking to the Alzheimer's group on the Savvy Care, but it has a lot of limitations. We need to try to get training on determining the background of caregivers and training on what kind of care is needed. This is an important issue in this community, because it will be an ever-growing problem."

Lemon said she still wants to reach out to the Western New Mexico University school of nursing. "The need for the caregiver training class is there. I would like to move it around the county."

Alcorn suggested developing a curriculum to address a continuum of care. "I think it's not going to happen this year, but we have to work with those who need the help."

Lee said, with HMS transitioning to take over the Senior Services from the county, "we get so many calls."

Eric Vreeland, pre-seminarian and alternate for council member Father Jarek Nowacki, who was ill, said St. Francis Newman Center would be creating a grief ministry for those who have lost children. "It plans to meet once a month at the Public Library. We also have a program for veterans that will start in June. Also a student movie club is in the works."

Council member Joe Kellerman, representing Gila Regional Medical Center, said the Interim Chief Executive Officer Alfredo Ontiveros had begun his acting position in January. "Part of his duties is to look at the fiscal cycle, as well as to address reduction in force. He announced 12 positions affected by the reduction in force. Four are at the executive/director level and eight at the administrative and support level. No caregivers were impacted. Also, seven positions that are vacant will not be filled for the time being."

"I want to emphasize that the loss of positions will not impact patient care," Kellerman said.

Council member Kathleen Hunt gave an update on Border Area Mental Health Services. "We, as you know, were cleared of fraud. We finally got to see the audit and have answered all findings, except for three, which were real errors. We are set for an administrative hearing at the end of April. We are glad we kept all our documentation. We're maintaining with mental health therapy services and receiving referrals for the services."

"In another issue, we heard from Children, Youth and Families Department that all juvenile program will implement restorative justice programs," Hunt said.

Estevez said the program has to involve the District Attorney's office, which has not received the notice. "The last program failed miserably."

Hunt said BAMHS has a new 501c3 organizationG