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Health council details Narcan rollout, local transit and $13M behavioral health opportunity
Summary
Pamela Skinner of the Community Wellness Council updated the Board on countywide wellness efforts, including five new Narcan distribution boxes in Valencia County and coordination for approximately $13 million in potential SB3 behavioral-health funding; she also introduced a new Department of Health specialist in Los Lunas.
Pamela Skinner, coordinator for the Community Wellness Council and 100% Valencia, told the Village of Los Lunas Board of Trustees on May 21 that the council has placed five Narcan distribution boxes across Valencia County and integrated its resource directory into statewide referral systems.
"The Narcan boxes are free and intended to provide lifesaving overdose intervention resources to the public," Skinner said during the presentation. She introduced Alexis Kathy as the new Health Promotion Specialist with the New Mexico Department of Health, who will be based in the Los Lunas Public Health Office to promote WIC, family planning, cancer screening and harm-reduction programs.
Skinner outlined the Community Wellness Council's 100% Valencia initiative, noting ten task forces that address medical and dental services, behavioral health, transportation and other community priorities. She cited a community needs assessment that identified medical services, dental services, early childhood support, food access, parenting support and behavioral health as top priorities. She also described a new direct transit route between the Valencia Transportation Center and the UNM-Valencia campus aimed at improving access to services.
On regional funding, Skinner said coordination of SB3 behavioral-health funding could make "approximately $13 million" available for programs in Region 13; she presented that figure as an estimated opportunity to expand mental and behavioral health services in the county. The council also reported that its updated resource directory has been integrated into the 988 Directory and New Mexico Share to improve referrals for residents.
The presentation was informational; no Council action was requested or taken on the Wellness Council items at the meeting.
