Editor's Note: This is the second in a three-part series covering the Grant County Community Health Council meeting on Monday, Sept. 15, 2014.

Terry Anderson, co-chairwoman of the Grant County Community Health Council, chaired the meeting. She called on members to report on their various sectors.

Armando Amador of the veterans sector reported he made a presentation at the Veterans Affair Interim Legislative Committee, which was held in Silver City. "We have been pushing for a veteran center here for traumatic-brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder. We have only one service officer to take care of four counties. We asked for at least two service officers, so people don't have to wait for hours. We also asked for specialty clinics to offer services to veterans. If we have people who can provide specialty services, bring them to our southwest area. We have at least 3,000 veterans signed up at our small veterans' center. We suspect there are 6,000-7,000 more who have no benefits. We still find World War II veterans without benefits."

He said one hardship for veterans needing care is that the van that drives to Albuquerque so veterans can go to the V.A. hospital leaves at 2 a.m., and after picking up veterans at several places, doesn't get to Albuquerque until 9 or after for appointments. Then they have to turn around and drive home. It's a 16-hour shift for the driver and the veterans. "It is not doing justice for the veterans. We are also working on best practices. Practitioners provide the service, but don't get paid in a timely manner. The V.A. is spreading the submittal of payments to areas out of D.C., so providers can get paid within two weeks."

Amador said he has also been pushing for compensation for the effects of Agent Orange. "Our kids pick up the effects and have major health issues. Over time, there are more illnesses. Agent Orange may be recognized for our kid's illnesses. The chemicals recent veterans have been exposed to are already recognized. Why does the government take so long on everything? I asked how much power we have with the V.A. to address our rural issues. I asked our state to push the federal agencies."

Kathleen Hunt of the mental health sector concurred, as her husband, a Vietnam veteran has had three friends exposed to Agent Orange who have died.

Susie Trujillo of Gila Regional Medical Center Project Development said in Guadalupe County, the fee paid by the V.A. follows the person. "But that county is in the north of the state. It seems like they don't listen to us in the south, but just in the north."

Amador said NM Veterans' Services Deputy Secretary Alan Martinez said Roswell was working on bringing a pilot program to the area.

Chris DeBolt, health council coordinator, said she had talked to GRMC CEO Brian Cunningham, who said the hospital waits a long time for payment for a veteran, but Roswell receives payment within 11 days.

Joanie Connors of the interpersonal violence sector said being the new director of Silver Regional Sexual Assault Support Services has been a change for her. "I was at the university and there was a wall between the university and the community. As the new director, I am concerned about keeping the agency going. We had a robbery and fire two weeks before I started. We are about 90 percent recovered. We lost all our computers with no back up. Back up your computers. We have lost our advocacy coordinator, so we are interviewing people. I hope to have some stability soon. Volunteer training is to be held in two weeks at the hospital. If you are interested, we welcome your participation."

Connors said the agency would add a men's outreach coordinator in the spring, with an intern from the university. A new organization, the Gender Equity Center, would open in October. "We will also hold Take Back the Night in October as a collaboration between us and El Refugio and the Gender Equity Center. El Refugio is having challenges with funding. The domestic violence training to be held Sept 29-Oct 1 is already full. On Oct. 3, the Domestic Violence Awareness Month proclamation will be read at the Woman's Club, and Oct. 8 will be a silent vigil for victims of domestic violence."

Judy O'Loughlin, County Extension agent, said her sector is ranching, which she filled to replace Pete Walden when he resigned from the council. "Sam Lowry is our 4-H and ag agent. I had him help me with my report." She reported a breakout of Trichomaniasis in cattle around Mule Creek that was gotten control of. "New Mexico State University agriculture profs met with ranchers and farmers on the Gila to discuss what produce could be grown, other than alfalfa and cattle, if more water is available. Rain is spotty, but there has been some this summer. It's important for grass for the cattle. We finished the butterfly garden at Penny Park, with 4-H and FFA students from Silver City and Cliff doing the design and the work. It was paid for through a PNM Community grant we received last year. Within three years, the garden should be lush. The Cliff-Gila Grant County Fair begins on Sept. 24 at the fairgrounds in Cliff. The health council wrote a United Way grant that gave us funding for cooking demonstrations at the farmers' market. We have funding for a master gardener program to start in the fall. It is a 16-week commitment. The health council has provided funding for the equipment and curriculum."

With all the discussion on the SNAP program, O'Loughlin said the Extension Service offers SNAP educational classes by two nutritionists. "The premise is that with four classes, people make changes. We have trouble getting adults to come to the class. The goal is for them to graduate the program. We have the kitchen and supplies. Kids are not a problem. Adults are the problem. They come to one, maybe two and they don't come back."

Marilyn Alcorn of the senior sector asked if the classes could be taken to the food distribution sites.

"They need the classes on how to spread their SNAP dollars," O'Loughlin said. "The classes last at least an hour each."

Bob Reese of faith-based communities asked if Michelle Giese of the public health office could distribute the information.

"There is quite a lot of paperwork," O'Loughlin said. "And a lot of people are too proud to apply for SNAP."

Terry Anderson of the child-care sector said she was asked by the Methodist Church, which runs Little Lambs day care, to assess their program, as they are trying to take care of challenges. "The program has been there a long time. I helped them turn it into a day care program in the late 70s or early 80s. There are only three self-sustaining programs in Silver City, Little Lambs, Baby Boot Camp and Blanchett's Little Hands. They are all struggling. We brought the three together with the Community Partnership for Children. The situation is that they can't make payroll, because of the slowness of Children, Youth and Families Department to reimburse them for services. HeadStart, WNMU Early Childhood Center and Guadalupe Montessori do have some support. But people can't get a job, if they have no child care."

She said she contacted someone in Albuquerque about a shared service program in use there. "They have one administrative team and one curriculum. That could be a problem for Little Lambs, as theirs uses a Christian-based curriculum. The three centers are also having trouble raising quality, because it is more expensive. I will attend a conference in Colorado, and come back with more information, but the three may have to let go of turf issues. I continue to be passionate about quality programs and choices for child care in the community."

The final portion of the meeting will be covered in the next article.