When drastic budget cuts jeopardized health councils in New Mexico, representatives from 29 counties and tribal entities, met and began work on a statewide alliance of health councils.  State funding for health councils was suspended July 2010.  The NM Department of Health, New Mexico Association of Grantmakers, the New Mexico Public Health Association, and Con Alma Health Foundation partnered to support and coordinate the convening on September 16-17, 2010 at the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center.

Seventy participants representing 29 out of the 38 health councils in New Mexico (33 county-based plus 5 tribally based), funding sponsors, the New Mexico Department of Health (NM DOH), and other interested organizations met to explore strategies and models to support and sustain health councils in order to continue their important work on both a local and statewide basis.

Health councils have been primarily responsible for health planning, assessment and coordination at the local level.  Health councils form the hub of local public health systems, working with local governments, health care providers, schools, nonprofit organizations, health advocates, and community members.

“Health councils assess local needs, identify gaps in services, develop community health plans and priorities, coordinate community health initiatives, and are instrumental in bringing additional financial resources to communities,” said Dolores E. Roybal, Con Alma Health Foundation’s Executive Director.  “They are vital to a healthier New Mexico.”

The day began with an inspiring keynote address from Frances Varela who was instrumental in the initial passage of the Maternal Child Health Act in 1991 that provided funding for health councils from 1992-2010.  She reminded everyone that funding will come and go, but the commitment and passion of people will continue to drive the movement for healthy communities.

“Over my 40 years, this I have noticed – things come and go in New Mexico unless they have been authentically grounded and anchored in the roots of local community efforts and ownership. Things that are top-down state-driven are very risky, because of changing priorities of the executive branch and the politics that drive it. I am not referring even to political parties here, because things will change no matter which party is in the Governor’s mansion in Santa Fe…I feel very strongly that we need the partnership of our state government and statewide organizational partners, but that the true strength and power to really change indicators of health in New Mexico originates from the soil of the local community work.”

Map of Convening Participants

To learn more about the convening, here is the Summary Report.