ENCOURAGING THE UNIVERSITY OF NEW MEXICO HEALTH SCIENCES CENTER TO EXPAND ITS SERVICES IN RIO ARRIBA COUNTY AND OTHER NORTHERN NEW MEXICO COUNTIES.

WHEREAS, over its almost ten years of operations, the Los Pasos program and related programs, such as grandparents and relatives outreach project, comprehensive treatment teams program, Los Pasos head start initiative and universities networked in interdisciplinary training and education, or the UNITE project, have provided many services in northern New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, these programs, working in conjunction with one another, provided intensive support through primary pediatric medical care; legal mediation, social support for substance abuse and mental health issues; child development assessment and interventions services; and coordination of services across disciplines and agencies; and

WHEREAS, these programs' efforts have been toward maintaining the integrity of families affected by drug and alcohol use while ensuring the physical and emotional safety, physical health and developmental needs of identified children; and

WHEREAS, these programs provide support to grandparents and other relatives who care for children prenatally exposed to alcohol, drugs and HIV and, in addition, provide early intervention services to children of head start ages; and

WHEREAS, the UNITE project is directed at the training of practitioners in medicine, law, social work and early childhood education; and

WHEREAS, the possible expansion of these programs to northern New Mexico is important because of their emphasis on providing care to all family members to change behaviors of substance abuse; supporting parents through mental health crises; and promoting consistent use of the health care system for preventive care and chronic disease management;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the university of New Mexico health sciences center be commended for its outstanding programs and be encouraged to expand its efforts to improve health outcomes in Rio Arriba county and other northern New Mexico counties; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the president of the university of New Mexico and the director of the university of New Mexico health sciences center.