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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T

SPONSOR Griego

ORIGINAL DATE

LAST UPDATED

01/28/08

HB

SHORT TITLE Penasco-Area Education & Wellness Programs

SB 435

ANALYST Geisler

APPROPRIATION (dollars in thousands)

Appropriation

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY08

FY09

$45.0

Recurring

General

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

Duplicates: HB 431 and HB 366

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Department of Health (DOH)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 435 would appropriate $45 thousand from the general fund to the Department of

Health (DOH) in FY09 to contract with an organization that provides community education and

wellness programs and to provide essential state services to citizens in the area of the Peñasco

and Picuris Pueblo. Any unexpended funds at the end of the fiscal year shall revert to the

general fund.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

DOH notes that the funding in SB 435 is not a part of DOH’s FY09 budget request.

SIGNIFICANT ISSUES

DOH notes that typically, the aim of community education and wellness programs is to support

improved health and wellness for a community through the provision of evidence-based curricula

on a variety of health-related topics. Projects might include promoting an active lifestyle within

the community by providing a variety of classes and health screenings that promote early

Senate Bill 435 – Page

2

detection and intervention, and increasing awareness in the community of making positive

choices to improve health.

The catchment area for services includes Picuris Pueblo and the 13 villages around the Pueblo.

There are 4,000 people in a 900-square-mile area. According to the 2000 US Census, the

American Indian population of Picuris Pueblo totaled 195 people, of whom 52 were under 18

years of age. The majority of the youth population (41%) in Picuris Pueblo is at 200% of the

federal poverty level. (2005 New Mexico Kids Count Special Report on Native American

Children in New Mexico)

Seven service providers currently offer community education and wellness programs in the

vicinity of the Peñasco-Picuris area. For American Indian individuals who are served through

the Indian Health Service (IHS), the closest service unit is the Santa Fe Service Unit, located 60

miles away. The closest Public Health Office (for residents who need medical services,

immunizations, disease prevention, family planning, Women, Infant, and Children services,

Children’s Medical Services programming, and other services) is located in Taos, 25 miles away.

The school lunch program provides free or reduced lunches to at least 90 percent of the school

population (of the Peñasco Independent School District). The area has a children’s book lending

library and a clothing distribution program that provides clothing to children in need (Carol

Miller, personal communication, January 24, 2008).

The closest Income Support Division (ISD) office for clients who receive Medicaid for health

insurance, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and other basic living services is also

located in Taos. The Taos County ISD and Child Support Enforcement Division (CSED) office

sends an employee once a month to enroll clients for Medicaid, TANF, child support, and other

services, as needed. Some clients travel to Espanola for similar services (37 miles away).

DUPLICATION

Senate Bill 435 is duplicated by HB 431 and HB 366.

GG/mt