A Note from the Executive Director |
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It's back to school time! The staff and Board of NMASBHC are wishing you all our best as, in your various roles, you support our state's children in this fresh opportunity to learn and thrive. This new school year brings many exciting changes to the school health world, including expansion of services to many new schools and communities. As we celebrate the growth, we must also increase our efforts to mitigate the growing pains. Please feel free to reach out to NMASBHC staff should you need to address any such bumps in your school health road. We hope that this newsletter, and all our organization is doing, will bolster our state's education and healthcare efforts, but we rely on your partnership to keep us knowledgeable about the needs of New Mexico's children and families.
Please take note that you may need to click on the phrase "View entire message "at the bottom of this newsletter to read ALL of the content. We have so many resources to share with you that your email platform may clip short the email. Happy reading, and may the smell of new paper and pencils launch you into a great fall.
Wishing you a healthy and successful back-to-school season!
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Thank you for all the SBHCs who participated and submitted pictures!
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NMASBHC Youth Advisory Group |
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The Youth Health Advisory Group supports youth to advance health care access for their peers, share expertise on health-related topics and give important youth voice to the field of school-based health care. Participants will engage in activities and projects that can provide critical input to the development and delivery of services, and advocate for SBHC services across the state.
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Thank you to our youth - Amiriss, Vivian and Lorena, who joined us for the 2023 SBHA Conference and Be the Change Youth Training Program in Washington, D.C. Also thank you to their chaperone, Candace Goldman.
They represented NMASBHC Youth Advisory Group and ABQ High PAUSE well. We hope you enjoyed your experience and look forward to your next projects.
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We are excited to have Sydney join the NMASBHC team as our Program Assistant. Please help us welcome her to the field of school-based health!
I’m incredibly excited to start this new role. My background is in a myriad of different positions in the service industry, banking, and journalism. I moved around the country most of my childhood, but I’ve lived in Albuquerque for the last 15 years. I studied journalism at the University of Colorado. I wrote stories about issues surrounding social justice, healthcare, and education. While I’m new to the world of SBHCs, I’m looking forward to learning all there is to know. In my spare time, I enjoy traveling, quality time with my dog, Josie, and reading a good book.
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Applicants should send a Cover Letter, Resume/CV and 3 professional references to Nancy Rodriguez, ED at nancy@nmashbc.org.
Visit our website for more information. If you have any questions, you may also contact Nancy at nancy@nmasbhc.org.
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During the SBHA Conference, SBHA recognized many individuals in the inaugural GRIT awards. The GRIT Awards recognize individuals who are Genuine, Resilient, Innovative and Tenacious. They were recognized in 4 categories: Providers, Administrators, Advocates and Champions:
New Mexico was represented and the following were recognized:
Providers:
Gustavo Gutierrez, Audriana Apodaca, Mary Ramos, Aaron Vega
Administrators:
Sabrina Owens, Ruth Center, Anna White, Ernesto Robles
Advocates:
Melissa Candelaria, Winona Gishal, Dev Wheeler, Dr. Laura Parajon
Champions:
Kristin Oreskovich, Patsy Nelson, David Roddy
We hope you will see our Social Media posts on Facebook and Instagram acknowledging these awardees. Thank you for your amazing contributions and dedication to the field of school-based health.
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SBHC ECHO sessions have wrapped up for the year. Thank you all who attended and participated in this important initiative. NMASBHC appreciates the collaboration with Project ECHO, OSAH, Molina and other partners who have worked diligently to create an educational and professional development community of practice for SBHCs in New Mexico. Also, thank you to our amazing SBHC ECHO Hub team.
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SBHC Interest Survey for NM Schools |
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Urgent Opportunity for Superintendents and Principals:
We need your communication regarding your school's interest and readiness for school-based health center services. To help NMASBHC and funding partners such as the county, state, and federal government determine where the interest and need lies, NMASBHC has created a brief survey of superintendents and principals to quantify and locate those factors.
If you are a principal or superintendent, please go to the short survey linked below to complete the survey. If you work in a school, please forward the survey to your designated administrator and encourage them to complete this survey.
Please feel free to reach out to NMASBHC with any questions or needs for support.
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NMPED Back to School Guidance |
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As staff and students return to school, NM Public Education Department has compiled some resources for Back to School Guidance.
It can be located at:
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SBHC sponsors have received their award letters for NMDOH OSAH RFAs. We are excited about this expansion. OSAH-funded sites have expanded from 54 to 140 SBHC sites, which includes brick and mortar, telehealth and mobile services.
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Data Snapshot calls are in progress for Summer 2023. We have enjoyed seeing you all, and for those remaining, look forward to seeing you on the calls and reviewing your data snapshots for the past year.
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Head to Toe Conference &
Call for Presenters
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The Annual Head to Toe Conference is scheduled for November 14-16, 2023 at the Albuquerque Convention Center. We look forward to seeing SBHC staff for the Pre-Conference session on November 14th.
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NM Medicaid Presumptive Eligibility Determiner Training |
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Presumptive Eligibility Determiner trainings are scheduled for August 16th 2023 8:30am-4:30pm and August 17th 2023 8:30am-2:30pm. If you have staff that need the training, please contact HSD at the email address below to indicate the need to register for training. Contact at HSD.PEDeterminers@state.nm.us
or call (505) 476-7151.
Please note that it is very important to have your SBHC team up to date with eligibility determination. This an NMDOH-OSAH requirement. Many families may need support in finding out if their COVID-era coverage is winding down in 2023 as well.
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SBHC Alert: MCO Recertification Process/Visits to Resume |
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Most SBHCs operating in the last several years are due for Medicaid Recertification. This process, which consists of completion of a self-assessment document and a site visit from one of the MCOs (designated by Medicaid) must be completed by December 31, 2023. SBHC Operators should be prepared to hear from an MCO Representative in the coming months to schedule the recertification deadlines and processes. Please feel free to reach out the Nancy (nancy@nmasbhc.org) if you have any questions or difficulties. |
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Please note and communicate to patients and their families that if their Medicaid application is pending, they can still proceed with care. HSD has approved unlimited overtime for employees processing Medicaid applications/renewals as they are aware of the backlog. Until the backlog is cleared and families are assured of future coverage, they also can contact BeWellNM to investigate what coverage and subsidies they qualify for if their Medicaid is not approved.
Additional Resources:
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HSD has launched the Renew NM! Campaign, which is a statewide public awareness campaign that provides resources and information to HSD customers and community partners about the changes to SNAP & Medicaid.
It is a Call to Action to:
- Update contact information
- Watch for their Turquoise envelope
- Submit a renewal
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Applying for SNAP, TANF, LIHEAP, and Medicaid
Pandemic EBT (P-EBT)
There have been recent announcements about a one-time issuance for summer. Visit the HSD website for more information.
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beWellNM Community Partner Toolkit |
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The beWellnm toolkit was created in effort to provide consistent information and to support New Mexican communities and partners to better understand the Medicaid Unwinding.
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Clinic Resources, Training Opportunities and Community Announcements |
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It is important to know about HIPPA and FERPA when considering consent and confidentiality.
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Improving LGBTQ+ Inclusivity in SBHCs |
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Did you know that LGBTQ+ students experience many health disparities, including suicidality, depression, anxiety, substance use, obesity, sexually transmitted infections, and unplanned pregnancies? School-based health centers are well positioned to address these disparities and implementing LGBTQ+ inclusive practices can make SBHCs better prepared to care for LGBTQ+ students.
The Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation has a new research study designed to assist SBHCs in planning and carrying out LGBTQ+ inclusive practices to enhance patient care!
What is involved?
- Bringing staff together to implement nationally recognized best practices;
- Free training, resources, and support for your team;
- Completing paid surveys and assessments about implementation process; and
- Learning how to respond effectively to patient sexual orientation and gender identity data and needs at your clinic!
What are the benefits?
- Access to coaching guidance and support for a one-year implementation period;
- Fewer barriers to care for students;
- Better student engagement and satisfaction with care; and
- Opportunity to reduce health disparities for LGBTQ+ students!
Participating SBHCs will receive modest financial support for taking part in research and implementation activities.
We hope that your organization will join us as part of this in this important study. To learn more, you can view this document. For questions or more information, contact Dr. Mary Ramos, MD, MPH at mramos@salud.unm.edu or Daniel Shattuck, PhD, at dshattuck@pire.org or 505-765-2331. You can also visit our website at bit.ly/PIRE-SBHC. We are also happy to meet with you and your colleagues in person to discuss the project at your earliest convenience. We look forward to talking with you soon!
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Friday, August 11, 2023
9:00 AM - 3:00 PM
This session reviews evidence-based guidelines for providing the full range of contraceptive methods. We will review patient eligibility, compare and contrast side effects and benefits, and discuss common misconceptions and concerns about these options. Participants will receive 3.0 CME credit hours at no cost.
Nexplanon Training
Training can be scheduled as requested.
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Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at 5:00 - 7:00 PM
Albuquerque, NM
Clinician trainers from the LARC Mentoring Program and the Department of Health will conduct a 2-hour practicum on IUD skills. We will use pelvic simulator models to practice inserting and removing different types of IUDs. Our clinicians will also review managing challenges related to IUDs, and will be happy to answer any questions related to LARCs during or after training. Participants will receive 2.0 CME credit hours at no cost.
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SBHC Staff are amazing!
Please feel free to share these open positions with your colleagues and peers.
Certified Nurse Practitioner – RFK School Based Health Clinic
Rewarding opportunity for adolescent health advocates. Provide clinical services with an emphasis on comprehensive health evaluations/ treatments and wellness/student leadership promotion. Work in Albuquerque with an integrated behavioral and physical health team. Flexible hours within M-F days. Salary competitive and experience based. For more details, call Carletta Bullock, MD, 505-999-0237.
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Got Shots? is an important initiative to help children and families to get their immunizations and shots.
This summer's "Got Shots?" events will take place July 8 - August 31, 2023. For updated information and list of sites offering immuniztions, please visit the Got Shots website.
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Western Sky - 3rd Annual Quality Improvement Provider Summit |
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Western Sky Community Care will be having the 3rd Annual Quality Improvement Provider Summit on August 23, 2023. Western Sky is inviting all providers, practitioners, staff, and quality departments, throughout NM and will be reviewing a variety of Western Sky Community Care programs, Quality Topics, and Initiatives. Please save the date and we hope to have you in attendance. RSVP by August 4th.
Date: August 23, 2023
Location: CNM Workforce Training Center
5600 Eagle Rock Ave NE; Albuquerque, NM 87113
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NMDOH NUPAC is offering FREE Promotional Materials for Health Partners. The materials can be used to help clients learn about New Mexico's FREE cessation services and aim to help quit nicotine use. There are English and Spanish options.
The promotional materials include:
- Wallet referral cards
- Two-sided laminated provider cards
- 11" x 17" poster
- Magnets
- Acrylic Display Stand with insert for wallet cards
- Lanyards
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August Health Awareness Activities |
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August is Immunization Awareness Month |
New Mexico students are returning to the classroom this month. August highlights the importance of vaccinations in creating a healthy learning environment.
The following are some resources:
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August is National Eye Exam Month |
August is a great time to visit your eye care professional. Going in for a baseline eye exam can help prevent long term vision problems.
Resources:
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Support NMASBHC this year! |
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