Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Community Health topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
County hears presentation on $6.5 million foundation grant for Rio and Eagle Pass mental‑health initiative
Summary
County commissioners heard a presentation from MCN on a Hogg Foundation–backed initiative that brings $6.5 million to community‑led mental‑wellness work in 13 rural communities, including Eagle Pass; MCN asked the court for help prioritizing projects such as bus shelters, lighting and water access.
Ruben Chavez, presenting on behalf of the Migrant Clinician Network (MCN), told the Val Verde County Commissioners Court that a foundation award totaling $6,500,000 will fund a community‑led mental‑wellness initiative that covers 13 rural communities including Eagle Pass.
MCN outlined a six‑phase approach that begins with situation analysis, moves through community mapping and rapid needs assessment, and aims to end with community‑led implementation. Chavez said MCN’s role is “to help residents, organizations and local leaders identify priorities together, strengthen collaboration and move toward community led action.” He emphasized that MCN does not arrive with predetermined solutions and described methods including key‑informant interviews, community circles and small‑group meetings.
Chavez said the Hogg Foundation award is being administered through a HALT initiative with NCN providing the method and RISE (Tami Yoo) contracted as the evaluator. “We have been walking the streets of the Rio, knocking door by door,” he said, and described immediate community priorities such as bus‑stop shelters where children currently wait exposed to sun and rain.
County officials asked how the funds could be used and whether MCN brings clinical services. Chavez answered that the award is foundation (“soft”) money intended for community‑identified needs; he said MCN will bring funding and facilitate partnerships but not remain as a permanent provider. The judge asked for a prioritized list of potential uses so the county can target items likely to score higher in grant or matching processes. The court also noted ongoing local water‑quality work: the judge said the county will begin PFAS testing in some wells near Escondido the next day and asked MCN to consider water needs in its list of priorities.
MCN confirmed partners and next steps, saying representatives from Hogg, NCN and RISE will visit locally on June 2 to meet residents. Chavez closed by asking the court for support to help move the initiative from planning into funded projects. The court agreed to receive MCN’s prioritized list and to consider follow‑up at a subsequent meeting.
The presentation was informational; no formal funding appropriation was made at this meeting.
