Highlights

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0 height="100%"><tr> <td valign="top" width=200 BGCOLOR="#FFFBF0" TEXT="#080000"> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <A HREF="http://www.gcchc.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.gcchc.org"><U>Home</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id17.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Calendar"><U>Calendar</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id18.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Grant County Information"><U>Grant County Information</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id19.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Health Council"><U>Health Council</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id20.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Council Staff"><U>Council Staff</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id21.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Community Meetings "><U>Community Meetings </U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id89.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Community Enhancement Fund"><U>Community Enhancement Fund</U></A></div> <div> Highlights </div> <div> <A HREF="id453.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Resource Directories"><U>Resource Directories</U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="id540.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Breastfeeding Council"><U>Breastfeeding Council</U></A></div> <bR> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" BGCOLOR="#FFFBF0" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>Grant County Community Health Council   </B></div> <div> Highlights </div> <div> Read more about recent Health Council events in Grant County! </div> <div> <B>2012</B></div> <div> <A HREF="#focus_groups_gauge_residents_" TITLE="Highlights "><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Focus Groups gauge residents' priorities </B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B>2011</B></div> <div> <A HREF="#health_council_to_welcome_new" TITLE="Highlights "><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Health council welcomes new coordinator</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#get_safer_at_saturday_s_fair_ready" TITLE="Highlights "><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Ready, Set, Safe- Grant County!</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#plans_for_packs" TITLE="Highlights "><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Plans for Packs: Students learn to prepare for emergencie</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B>2010</B></div> <div> <A HREF="#rwjg_hkhc_intro" TITLE="Highlights "><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities awarded to Grant County</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#hand_washing_clinics_hope_to_prevent" TITLE="Highlights "><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Hand washing clinics hope to prevent spread of the flu</B></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B>2009 and later</B></div> <div> <A HREF="#cancer_support_service_expand_in" TITLE="Highlights "><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Cancer support expands in Grant County</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#workforce_" TITLE="Highlights "><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Workforce development tackled by Health Council</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#health_council_wraps_up_county_wide" TITLE="Highlights "><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Health Council wraps up county-wide focus groups</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#community_enhancement_fund_announces" TITLE="Highlights "><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Community Enhancement Fund awardees</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#hot_mama_s_" TITLE="Highlights "><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Hot Mamas win Spring Fitness Cup Challenge</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#community_enhancement_fund_unveiled" TITLE="Highlights "><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Community Enhancement Fund unveiled</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#grant_county_begins_fitness_challenge_" TITLE="Highlights "><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Grant County begins Fitness Cup Challenge</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#fitness_and_nutrition_new_county" TITLE="Highlights "><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Health Council adds fitness and nutrition as priority</B></U></A></div> <div> <A HREF="#coucil_brings_in__15_for_county_wellness" TITLE="Highlights "><U><B><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="Symb075c00b700c800000000.png" HEIGHT="13" WIDTH="24" ALIGN="bottom" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">$15 Million leveraged by Health Council</B></U></A></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="focus_groups_gauge_residents_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Focus groups gauge residents' priorities  </B></div> <div> <I><B><IMG SRC="246bb8c0.jpg" border=0 width="187" height="140" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Silver City, New Mexico, February 20, 2012:</B></I>  The Grant County Community Health Council wrapped up its final focus group in Santa Clara last week in an effort to gauge the residents' health and wellness concerns. The information from the focus groups will refine the upcoming community survey, slated for release in May, called <I>Your Home, Your Voice! </I> </div> <bR> <div> Health Council coordinator, Tiffany Knauf said, “This was the last of the 12 focus groups we have conducted throughout the county, and overall we were very pleased with the attendance.” Over 100 community members participated in the focus groups.</div> <bR> <div> The Health Council conducted focus groups in every corner of Grant County during February, including: Bayard, Cliff-Gila area, Hachita, Hurley, Mimbres, Santa Clara, Silver City and Tryone. Spanish focus groups were available in Bayard and Silver City, and a daytime focus group was available in Silver City for those unable to travel at night. Kendra Milligan, Health Council assistant coordinator, helped conduct several of the focus groups and said, “Everyone had such incredible input about their communities, especially the residents of the outlying areas.”</div> <bR> <div> The residents at the focus groups shared many of the same concerns despite being from different corners of the county. Preliminary results from the focus groups input priorities include: access to water, transportation, services for seniors, expanded recycling services, access to locally grown food and increased nutrition, wildfire danger, and availability of medical specialty providers, for example cardiologist, pediatric dentists, and optometrists</div> <bR> <div> Hurley resident, Lynette Christopher found participating in the focus group enjoyable, “It was enlightening to see what's available and what's not in Grant County.” </div> <bR> <div> Grant County resident, Carmen Ortiz participated in the previous focus groups five years ago and returned to share her concerns at the Silver City focus group, “I participated this time for the same reason as last time, as community members we need to let our voices be heard especially for the big funding opportunities associated with this assessment.  I have to say some of the things we asked for in the past hadn't been worked on yet, but Grant County is growing and lots of improvements are happening little by little.”</div> <bR> <div> Health Council member, Christine DeBolt assisted the focus groups, said, “ Assisting with the Focus Groups, and really listening to what our county residents need and want from their local government and representatives, gave me further insight into how communities grow and thrive, care for each other and want to contribute to each others quality of life.”</div> <bR> <div> The information garnered from the focus groups and upcoming survey will aid in securing funds for the community. Knauf explains, “Funders know the national and state-wide statistics, but in order to fund projects they want the community to identify their needs. The community assessment supplies this information, directly from the community.”   The last Health Council assessment five years ago helped leverage over $15 million for the county by partners, and brought such programs as Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities, the Community Health Libraries, <I>Una Mano Amiga</I> Cancer Patient Navigators, and numerous trainings to benefit County residents.    </div> <bR> <div> The more residents that participate in the community assessment and upcoming survey, the more positive outcomes residents will see in the future.  The new survey is much shorter and more precise than the past survey, and will be available on-line and in print; both formats will offer English and Spanish versions. Health Council staff and partners will be at numerous events and locations throughout the summer and fall promoting participation in the survey.</div> <bR> <div> Knauf said, “If the county can validate its needs and priorities with concrete data from the assessment, funding opportunities won't pass us by as a community.” All the data collected by the focus groups and surveys will be available to the public in the Health Council's Grant County Profile, scheduled for publication this winter.  Also, the Health Council will present the community specific data to each municipality or region. </div> <bR> <div> The Health Council is part of PlaceNameplaceGila PlaceNameRegional PlaceNameMedical PlaceTypeCenter's Project Development Department. For more information on the upcoming survey or the community assessment contact the Health Council at (575) 388-1198 or email: <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Century Gothic" ><A HREF="mailto:healthcouncil@grmc.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:healthcouncil@grmc.org"><U><U>healthcouncil@grmc.org</U></U></A></FONT>.</div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="health_council_to_welcome_new"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Health Council to welcome new coordinator </B></div> <div> <I><B>Silver City, New Mexico, April 27, 2011</B></I><B>:</B>  On Monday (May 2, 2011), the Grant County Community Health Council invites residents to meet and greet Tiffany Knauf, the council's new coordinator, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Community Health Library in the Grant County Business and Conference Center, 3031 Hwy 180 East.  </div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1d49dc40.jpg" border=0 width="157" height="196" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="4" VSPACE="0">Knauf was hired after the council conducted a national search to replace departing coordinator, Beverly Allen-Ananins.  Director of Project Development and the Health Council at Gila Regional Medical Center, James Marshall says, “Filling Beverly's shoes was difficult, but with Knauf's excellent experience and community spirit, I am confident she will succeed in revitalizing the council.” The Health Council is PlaceNameplaceGrant PlaceNameCounty's health and wellness planning authority and leveraged over $540,000 last year to address the county's wellness priorities: behavioral health, community safety, economic development, family resiliency, and fitness and nutrition.  </div> <bR> <div> She has a degree in psychology from the University of Wisconsin in Lacross.  Knauf plans to continue pursuing her master's degree in counseling at Western New Mexico University, where her husband, Luke, is a football coach.  Knauf says, “We felt in a smaller community we could make an impact.” The couple was impressed by the county's personality and attitude, and decided to relocate here.  </div> <bR> <div> With her focus on children's psychology, Knauf hopes to bring a different perspective on issues like bullying and obesity, which will compliment the council's Grant County Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities program that promotes healthy eating and active living for children.</div> <bR> <div> Health Council co-chair, Gary Stailey, says Knauf “struck me as having incredible energy.” Stailey adds her experience will transfer well to the position. Most recently, Knauf was area coordinator of resident life at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, where she supervised 11 resident assistants and developed wellness programming for over 400 students at four resident halls.  Stailey was impressed that “where ever she's goes she has made herself a part of the community,” a very important trait for a community health coordinator to have.</div> <bR> <div> The community can become better acquainted with Knauf on Monday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Health Council offices in the Grant County Business and Conference Center, 3031 Hwy 180 East.  For more information call the Health Council at 388-1198 ext. 10.</div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="get_safer_at_saturday_s_fair_ready"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Get safer at Saturday's fair: </B><I><B>Ready, Set, Safe - Grant County!</B></I></div> <div> <I><B>Silver City, New Mexico, April 8, 2011</B></I><B>:</B>  On Saturday (April 16, 2011), Grant County residents can learn to live longer healthier lives by taking a few easy precautions to avoid injury at <I>Ready, Set, Safe- Grant County!</I>, a community safety fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Grant County Business & Conference Center, 3031 Hwy 180 East. </div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1f3c88e0.jpg" border=0 width="200" height="142" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="4" VSPACE="0">“New Mexico has the highest injury death rate in the nation. Injury costs our state and residents over $2.5 billion a year,” says Kendra Milligan, safety fair organizer with the Grant County Community Health Council.  “Grant County has an even higher injury rate than the state's average. That's why the Health Council added community safety as one of the county's wellness priorities.”  After the council conducted an assessment of major injuries and safety needs, it became apparent preparedness and prevention were the keys to saving lives in Grant County. An award from the National Library of Medicine has made the fair possible. </div> <bR> <div> Milligan says, “Again and again, emergency responders told us people needed plans in case of emergencies and to be prepared for wildfires, especially with defensible space around their homes…and this was before the Quail Ridge Fire.” The Quail Ridge Fire destroyed 13 homes and numerous other structures in March which has raised awareness about the importance of defensible space, a practice of reducing the vegetation and fuel sources around homes to prevent destruction by fires.<IMG SRC="1f5aeac0.jpg" border=0 width="174" height="172" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="4" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> Grant County Wildfire Management Officer, Gary Benavidez, says, “Defensible space works. It can save your home.” According to Benavidez, other disasters that could affect the area like floods or chemical spills are localized events, only directly affecting a small area, “but every place in Grant County has urban - wild lands interface and needs defensible space.”  Benavidez will be on hand at the fair , in the Fort Bayard Room, with information about defensible space and fire safety.</div> <bR> <div> Saturday's safety fair is tailored specifically for Grant County with over 20 agencies participating to address the major safety issues affecting residents' lives.  Grant County Central Dispatch, NM Mounted Patrol, Grant County Search and Rescue, Grant County Sheriff Department, Tyrone and Pinos Altos Volunteer Fire Departments, Silver City Fire Department, Silver City Police Department and the Red Cross, just to name a few who will be participating at the fair. </div> <bR> <div> “Since injury is the leading cause of death to children in New Mexico, we have a Kids Safe Corner with Kiwanis to help children learn important safety tips to avoid injury,” adds Milligan.  The fair also includes information on emergency preparedness and disaster history in Grant County. A home safety display will help residents learn about small safety changes they can make in their home to avoid injury.</div> <bR> <div> Door prizes include fire extinguishers, carbon monoxide detectors, and emergency survival backpacks. <I>Ready, Set, Safe - Grant County!</I> is Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Grant County Business and Conference Center. The event is free thanks to an award from the National Library of Medicine. For more information call the Health Council at 388-1198 ext. 10. <I>This project has been funded in whole or in part with Federal funds from the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services, under Contract No. N01-LM-6-3505 with the PlaceNameHouston PlaceTypeAcademy of PlaceNameplaceMedicine-Texas PlaceNameMedical PlaceTypeCenter Library.</I></div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="plans_for_packs"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Plans for Packs: Students learn to prepare for emergencies</B></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="1d60fcb0.jpg" border=0 width="271" height="203" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="4" VSPACE="0"></B><I><B>Grant County, New Mexico, February 25, 2011</B></I><B>: </B> The Plans for Packs program helped Grant County 4<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Century Gothic" >th</FONT> graders and their families better prepared for emergencies like the recent record breaking cold temperatures and natural gas shortage that closed local schools for two days in February </div> <bR> <div> Grant County Emergency Manager, Gilbert Helton, said, “Under this program, it is our goal to have fourth-graders become familiar with emergency preparedness concepts, develop their own Family Emergency Plan, and receive a home emergency preparedness kit. This is an unprecedented initiative in placeStateNew Mexico.” Helton was grateful for the support of partners like the Grant County Community Health Council, and Silver and Cobre School Districts for ensuring the program's success.</div> <bR> <div> The kits included equipment and supplies to help students and their families prepare for emergencies. The packs included water, food, flashlight, batteries, first-aid kit, solar blanket, whistle, rain poncho and booklets on planning for emergencies. </div> <bR> <div> Cobre and Silver School Districts participated in the program to educate students about emergency preparedness. Terry Hurt, Principal of Bayard Elementary, said, “It is a great project! Of course, the fact that the students got the packs after the cold snap and gas shortage, instead of before, actually gave them more relevance.” </div> <bR> <div> Most students reported their families or friends were affected by the state of emergency declared by Governor Susan Martinez in early February when rolling blackouts in Texas contributed to a natural gas shortage in New Mexico and left tens of thousands without heat during the worst cold snap since the 1950's. </div> <bR> <div> “Grant County parents can be proud of how knowledgeable their children are about emergencies. But, families still need to work with children to designate a meeting place in case of fire or an emergency so they know everyone is accounted for and safe,” said Kendra Milligan, spokeswoman Health Council. “Families can learn more about safety plans at the upcoming community safety fair, <I>Ready, Set, Safe County!,</I> in April at the Business and Conference Center.” </div> <bR> <div> Plans for Packs is a pilot project by the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management to make students more familiar with emergency preparedness and families help develop a Family Emergency Plan. Grant County Emergency Management was aided by the Health Council in the distribution and presentations to students to raise awareness of community safety, one of the county's health and wellness priorities.</div> <bR> <div> Community safety is the prevention and protection of the public from danger, harm, injury that could endanger the welfare of the community, such as emergencies or disasters. Being prepared for emergencies is essential for residents in rural communities, like Grant County, where long distances can significantly increase the response time of emergency personnel.  </div> <bR> <div> For more information about the Plans for Packs program or the upcoming community safety fair, <I>Ready, Set, Safe Grant County!,</I> call the Health Council at 388-1198.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="rwjg_hkhc_intro"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Grant County Community Health Council Receives Robert Wood Johnson Foundation: Major Grant To Improve Children's Health and Fitness </B></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Grant County, January 12, 2010</B></I> -<B> </B>Grant County Community Health Council has been awarded a $360,000 grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) to improve opportunities for active living for families and to increase availability of and access to locally grown foods in placeGrant County. Based on a rigorous selection process that drew more than 500 proposals from across the country, Grant County is one of 41 sites selected for the RWJF <I>Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities </I>initiative.</div> <bR> <div> <IMG SRC="1f7aae30.jpg" border=0 width="170" height="227" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="4" VSPACE="0">Eighty-four percent of Grant County high school students report eating less than five servings of fruit and vegetables a day and participating in less than the one hour of recommended daily exercise.  Additionally, a recent study of Body Mass Index (BMI) in four grades in the Grant County public schools found that nearly half of the students were overweight or obese.</div> <bR> <div> The Grant County Community Health Council will work to increase the availability of fresh, locally grown produce to transform the eating habits of the community.  It envisions neighborhoods with complete streets and sidewalks, crosswalks and bicycle lanes, trails, playgrounds and safe routes to schools to promote active lifestyles among children.</div> <bR> <div> "Grant County is experiencing a childhood obesity epidemic as documented by BMI data obtained from the past four years on our school-aged children. Our overweight and obesity rates exceed those of our state and are above nationally reported rates,” said Dr. Donald Johnson, pediatrician and spokesperson for the Grant County Community Health Council.  “This <I>Healthy Kids, Health Communities</I> grant will initiate and support projects to address the issues of more ready access to healthy foods, encouraging more outdoor activity by establishing safe routes to schools and places for children to engage in active play, and assisting governmental and private organizations in establishing policies to turn our statistics around." <IMG SRC="1f9b6f30.jpg" border=0 width="182" height="243" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="4" VSPACE="0"></div> <bR> <div> “To reverse this epidemic, communities are going to have to rally around their kids and provide the opportunities they need to be healthy,” said Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, M.D., M.B.A., president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. “Through this project, Grant County Community Health Council and its partners are doing what it takes to make sure children lead better lives.”</div> <bR> <div> Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities<I> </I>is a $33 million national program and RWJF's largest investment to date in community-based solutions to childhood obesity. With nine Leading Sites chosen in late 2008, the program now spans 50 communities from CitySeattle to placePuerto Rico. All are targeting improvements in local policies and their community environment-changes that research indicates could have the greatest impact on healthier eating, more active living and obesity prevention.  Healthy Kids, Healthy Communities is a cornerstone of RWJF's $500 million commitment to reverse the country's childhood obesity epidemic by 2015. </div> <bR> <div> All were selected because of strong vision, partnership and a commitment to make lasting change in their communities.  The new program grants will continue through June 2013.<I> </I></div> <bR> <div> Visit <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Century Gothic" ><A HREF="http://www.healthykidshealthycommunities.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.healthykidshealthycommunities"><U><U>www.healthykidshealthycommunities.org</U></U></A></FONT> to learn more about these communities' work and plans.<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Calibri" > </FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="hand_washing_clinics_hope_to_prevent"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Hand washing clinics hope to prevent spread of the flu</B></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Arial" ><IMG SRC="1dcca0d0.jpg" border=0 width="202" height="269" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="4" VSPACE="0"> </FONT><I><B>Silver City, New Mexico, December 7, 2009</B></I>:  Grant County children received a hands-on lesson in hygiene to help prevent the spread of germs and the flu with hand washing clinics, sponsored by a partnership between the Grant County Community Health Council and Public Health Office.  </div> <bR> <div> Health Council's Youth and Family Community Health Advocate, Rachel Kutcher said the hand washing clinics were helpful, “because children can't see microscopic germs, they don't always understand that their hands can appear clean, but still carry germs.” During the hand washing clinics, children rub a florescent lotion on their hands; wash their hands as usual, and then a florescent light reveals glowing spots children missed when washing. “Using the lotion to simulate germs on their hands helps them to see how germs stick to their skin and how easily they spread,” says Kutcher.</div> <bR> <div> Nurse Manager of Grant County Public Health Office, Margaret Diaz said, “Many of the children thought they did a good job washing their hands, but the glowing lotion showed them otherwise. It helps children realize they need to wash their hands longer, for the full 20 seconds recommended by the Center for Diseases Control.” The CDC recommends washing your hands in warm water with soap for at least 20 seconds to prevent the spread of germs. At the demonstrations children are taught to extend their hand washing time by singing songs, like the `ABC's' or `Happy Birthday.' Diaz added that hand washing skills are essential because, “we have germs on our hands and constantly touch our eyes, nose and mouth, which is how germs get into our bodies and spread diseases.” </div> <bR> <div> Mrs. Holguin, First Grade teacher at PlaceNameplaceCalvary PlaceNameChristian PlaceNameAcademy, thought the hand washing clinics were wonderful “especially because it's cold and flu season.” </div> <bR> <div> Melissa Torres, Lucy Montoya, and Olivia McDonald, all registered nurses with the placePlaceNameCobre PlaceTypeSchool District, were thrilled to have the clinics in their schools to remind students, “Hand washing prevents infection!”</div> <bR> <div> The CDC recommends washing your hands often to prevent the spread of diseases or illness, especially after coughing or sneezing into your hands. Also the clinics remind children to wash their hands before they eat or prepare food and after using the restroom, playing with pets or returning inside after recess. </div> <bR> <div> The hand washing clinic had previously taken place at the yearly Red Hot Children's Fiesta, but because of the pandemic flu concerns the Health Council and Public Health wanted to expand the outreach to include the county's public and private schools.  “This is part of our community health improvement efforts to prevent illness in placePlaceNameGrant PlaceNameCounty,” said Beverly Allen-Ananins, Health Council Coordinator. </div> <bR> <div> For more information on the hand washing clinics call the Health Council at 388-1198. For more information on H1N1 flu call the New Mexico Department of Health's  H1N1 Hotline at 1-877-304-4161 which includes general flu information in English and Spanish, the Nurse Advise Line, immunization information, and much more. </div> <bR> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="cancer_support_service_expand_in"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><B>Cancer support service expand in southwest New Mexico</B> </div> <div> Silver City, New Mexico, January 11, 2008:  Walt Hanson knows first-hand the turmoil cancer can cause in a person's life. As a prostate cancer survivor he says, “People think the worry starts when you are diagnosed, but it begins much earlier. The doctor requesting a biopsy or testing and what that means, or, even, earlier with a family history of cancer or when someone learns they are at-risk for cancer, that's the time people need support and information.” Support and information are exactly the two services being expanded in southwest New Mexico, thanks to a partnership between Gila Regional Medical Center, the New Mexico Department of Health and the Health Councils' of Catron, Grant, Hidalgo, and Luna Counties. </div> <bR> <div> Establishing cancer support groups in all four counties is the primary goal of the partnership. According to Mary Ann Buckley, with Gila Regional Medical Center's Cancer Program, support groups are essential for a well-rounded cancer program for southwest New Mexico, “Cancer prevention, screenings, treatment and support creates a full continuum of care for our community. Gila Regional is working on the treatment side with the Cancer Center. The support groups are part of expanding the cancer support services, along with the development of a cancer resource center at Gila Regional, to give patients and their families the information they need.” An expanded cancer support system is desperately needed with 7,550 new cases of cancer diagnosed in New Mexico in 2004, according to the Center for Disease Control reported.  </div> <bR> <div> As a cancer survivor, Hanson knows how important information and support can be to cancer patients and their families. Hanson is co-leading the Prostate Cancer Support Group, one of the three cancer support groups established in Grant County initiated or expanded by the effort. Hanson says, “Right now, the best cure for cancer we have available is early detection and treatment. Support groups offer direction for both these elements with information and personal experiences to face the uncertainty and challenges cancer can cause.”  People Living Through Cancer, a non-profit cancer survivorship organization, trained Hanson and his counterpart, David Schwantes, as support group facilitators with a dozen other residents of southwest New Mexico.  Each of the four counties has tailored their support groups for the specific needs in their community.</div> <bR> <div> Susie Trujillo, executive committee member for the New Mexico Cancer Council, says such support services are imperative to the thousands of New Mexicans diagnosed with cancer each year.  “Expanding support services, and having them fit the needs of the community, like our rural southwest New Mexico, is the focus of the Cancer Council's work.”</div> <bR> <div> Grant County residents felt those with cancer were not the only ones in need of support, according to Susan Snedeker, “Cancer is a disease that affects the whole family and the family's support and understanding is vital to the patient's survival and recovery.” Snedeker is leading a support group for caregivers and family members of those with cancer and other serious diseases. “Sometimes its nice to hear someone else telling the same story you are feeling,” Snedeker says<FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Century Gothic" >.</FONT></div> <bR> <div> Gila Regional's Cancer Support Group is the third group meeting in Grant County. Led by Leslie Willis, the group is open to patients, survivors, family members and those at-risk to cancer. “People are cancer survivors the minute they are diagnosed,” says Willis, a social worker for Gila Regional Medical Center who offers one-to-one counseling and group sessions for those with cancer. “Every month the group selects a topic to discuss. It's important to get correct information to people, because some of the information found on the Internet is conflicting and confuses patients. We want patients and their families to have the best information available from the most reliable sources,” says Willis, “These support groups give patients and families the education, understanding and support they need cope with this serious illness.”</div> <bR> <div> The Gila Regional Cancer Support Group next meets Friday, February 22, 2008 at 6 p.m. at the Gila Regional Medical Center's Board Room, 1313 E. 32<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Century Gothic" >nd</FONT> St. The Prostrate Cancer Support Group will resume meeting on Wednesday, January 16, 2008 at 6:30 p.m. in the Grant County Community Health Council office, 3202 N. Ridge Loop (on the corner of 32<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Century Gothic" >nd</FONT> St. and Ridge Loop). The Caregivers Support Group meets on Thursday, January 17, 2008, at 6 p.m. in the same location, 3202 N. Ridge Loop (on the corner of 32<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Century Gothic" >nd</FONT> St. and Ridge Loop).</div> <bR> <div> Call the Grant County Community Health Council at 388-1198 ext. 10 for more information on the cancer support groups in the area. </div> <bR> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="workforce_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><B>Workforce development tackled by Health Council </B></div> <div> Silver City, New Mexico, September 15, 2006:  The Grant County Community Health Council is tackling the rising community concerns about workforce development with a series of input sessions tailored for employers and employees with the partnership of the Southwest Council of Governments. Beverly Allen-Ananins, Health Council coordinator, says the issue is a deep one in the community, “In every one of the nine focus groups we had in the county over the last two months workforce issues were a top concern. Employers say they are having trouble finding workers and employees are concerned about the rising costs of health insurance and receiving a living wage.” </div> <bR> <div>  Heath Council member, Tony Trujillo says, “Employers and employees have very different concerns about workforce development; we want to make certain we hear those concerns and as a community make an action plan that can solve those issues.” </div> <bR> <div> Because of the diverse differences in the two groups-who are inevitably linked together through the employer/employee relationship, the Health Council is planning these input sessions to built the foundations for a Workforce Development Forum, tentatively scheduled for November 3, 2006 at the WNMU Bess-Forward Global Resource Center. </div> <bR> <div> Allen-Ananins explains, “The Speak Up, Grant County focus groups brought the issue to our attention, this series of sessions will give us more concise input about what are the top concerns of both groups. The Health Council wants to coordinate an entire community response to the workforce dilemma in our area.” </div> <bR> <div> Recently, the Health Council has been a key-coordinator in aiding businesses and local government agencies to work together to solve the lack of childcare in the county, another workforce development concern. Without ample childcare, parents are forced to stay home and care for children, instead of joining the workforce. Terry Anderson, Director of WNMU Child Care Center and a Health Council member, recently reported that their center had a waiting list of over 300 children for childcare. Thanks to a bill sponsored by Senator Jeff Bingaman after he heard how grave the childcare situation was in the county; the community has received $200,000 to build a child center. </div> <bR> <div> The Health Council hopes the Workforce Development Forum will be a change for the community to come together and link agencies, employees, education and government together to solve the underlying issues in our county. </div> <bR> <div> The<B> employer input sessions</B> are scheduled for Tuesday, September 19, 2006 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Silver City Annex in the upstairs meeting room and on Tuesday, October 10, 2006, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Bayard Community Center. The <B>employee input sessions </B>are scheduled for Tuesday, October 17, 2006, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at Gila Regional Medical Center's Board Room and Tuesday, October 24, 2006 from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Bayard Community Center. Please RSVP for either the employer or employee sessions by calling Beverly Allen at 388-1857.  </div> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="health_council_wraps_up_county_wide"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><B>Health Council wraps up county-wide focus groups</B></div> <div> Silver City, New Mexico, August 23, 2006:  The Grant County Community Health Council wrapped up its final county focus group in Tyrone last week in an effort to begin gauging the health and wellness needs of the area. “This is the last of the nine focus groups we have conducted in the county,” said Beverly Allen-Ananins, Health Council Coordinator. </div> <bR> <div> The Health Council conducted focus groups in every corner of Grant County during September and August, including: Bayard, Cliff/Gila area, Hachita, Hurley, Mimbres, Santa Clara, Silver City and Tyrone. Connie Hostetler, Senior Life Cycle coordinator for the Health Council, conducted some of the focus groups, “People were happy we came out to their communities, sometimes the outlying areas of the county feel forgotten. They were grateful to have their voice heard.”</div> <bR> <div> Carmen Ortiz, a Mimbres resident, was impressed by the focus group held in her community at the Mimbres Roundup Lodge, “The major concern was the lack of a law enforcement in Mimbres, which has been a long time issue. Also the need for more activities for teens out here.” Ortiz has partnered up with other people to create a playgroup for toddlers and a support group for those caring for young children be they parents, grandparents or guardians. “I learned so much that was happening in Mimbres at the focus group and it inspired me to become more involved in my community,” Ortiz said.</div> <bR> <div> Tara Rose participated in the Silver City focus group; “I found it so exciting that everyone was on the same page. People shared their personal concerns that all fit into the bigger picture. A lot of good ideas came out of the group.”</div> <bR> <div> Rose said the major concern in her group was the lack of funds to support change, “In order to manifest great ideas the community needs money.” Hopefully the focus groups and the upcoming survey will aid in securing funds. The last Health Council county assessment in 2001 helped leverage over $18 million for the community. Allen-Ananins hopes that with more resident participating in the 2006 survey, the more positive outcomes will be seen by residents. “If the county can validate its needs and priorities with concrete data then funding opportunities won't pass us by,” said Allen-Ananins.  </div> <bR> <div> The last assessment aided in securing funds for the Family Support Centers and the Volunteer Center. Community health has a wide scope of interest according to Allen-Ananins who reported funds went to such diverse works as sidewalks, public transit, and community health centers. “</div> <bR> <div> The focus groups are part of the `Speak Up, Grant County!' initiative to assess Grant County's concerns for the Department of Health and to aid the Health Council in setting its priorities for the next four-years. The focus groups' input will aid in the creation of a county survey that will be mailed every home in Grant County with a stamped returned envelope in September. The Health Council is also partnering with area businesses and municipalities to distribute surveys to employees. To reach everyone the Health Council will have a booth at local events like the Red Hot Children's Fiesta and the Farmer's Market were residents will be able to fill out a survey.</div> <bR> <div> For more information on the community assessment call the Health Council at 538-0200.</div> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="community_enhancement_fund_announces"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><B>Community Enhancement Fund announces awardees</B></div> <div> Silver City, New Mexico, May 25, 2006:  Two local centers are the first awardees of the Phelps Dodge/Community Health Council's Community Enhancement Fund. The Restorative Justice Center and the Volunteer Center will both be hosting international educators in Grant County thanks to the fund. </div> <div> Dates will be announced. </div> <bR> <div> The Community Enhancement Fund was created by a $100,000 donation from Phelps Dodge from money received by the company for the local filming of the mining-drama <I>North Country. </I>The fund seeks to bring renowned speakers and trainings to Grant County, allowing the entire community to be enriched by events that focus on the Health Council's five priority areas: economic development, family resiliency, fitness and nutrition, domestic violence and substance abuse. </div> <bR> <div> The Volunteer Center will be bringing renowned poverty educator, Ruby K. Payne of Connecticut to address the economic development issue in Grant County. Payne's philosophy on poverty, according to Alicia Edwards, executive director of the Volunteer Center, “discusses the extent of which an individual does without specific resources and resources can be diverse, including: financial, emotional, mental, spiritual, physical, support systems, relationships/role models, knowledge of hidden rules and coping strategies.”</div> <bR> <div> Payne contends that poverty is something more complex than just a lack of money in her training.</div> <div> The program, “Bridges out of Poverty: Strategies for Professional and Communities,” is tentatively planned to take place at the Global Resource Center at WNMU.</div> <bR> <div> The second grant recipient will involve training and education in restorative justice and conflict resolution, a new response to crime that recognizes the harm done to victims. Stephane Trustoroff Luchini, program coordinator of the Restorative Justice Community Center of Grant County, explains the concept as, “providing victims an opportunity to meet the offender to express the impact of the crime, ask questions, and seek meaningful reparation.  It provides offenders the opportunity to take meaningful responsibility for their actions and make agreements to repair the harm. “ </div> <bR> <div> The program, “Circle Processes for Restorative Justice and Conflict Resolution," will be taught by internationally known restorative justice trainer and scholar Kay Pranis of Minnesota this fall. The grant will help make this training available to staff of local schools and social service organizations, as well as practitioners of the restorative justice model.</div> <bR> <div> The Community Enhancement Fund is currently seeking proposals. Preference will be given to proposals that include the following components: Health Council priorities; enhances or improves the Mining District region of Bayard, Hurley and Santa Clara; supports core team and Life Cycle activities; and offers diverse population participation. The Fund helps to defer costs for speakers that are leaders in their fields and training programs. It aims to expand the community's knowledge and base of information allowing for partnerships and growth of services as a whole county, not one person at a time.</div> <bR> <div> The Community Enhancement Fund next submission of proposal deadlines is Friday, July 7, 2005. Future submission deadlines are: Oct. 6 and Jan. 6, 2007. Notification of award will be two to four weeks after the proposal submission deadlines. </div> <div> Proposals are available at the Health Council's web site <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Century Gothic" ><A HREF="http://www.gcchc.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.gcchc.org"><U><U>http://www.gcchc.org</U></U></A></FONT> at the Health Council's office at 1310 E. 32<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Century Gothic" >nd</FONT> St. or by calling Kendra Milligan at 388-9708 ext. 13.  </div> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="hot_mama_s_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><B>Hot Mama's win Spring Fitness Cup Challenge</B></div> <div> <IMG SRC="18d0b640.jpg" border=0 width="267" height="356" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">Silver City, New Mexico, June 21, 2006:  The Hot Mama's of Fort Bayard Medical Center strode to victory this spring in the Grant County Health Council's Fitness Cup Challenge. Team winners were announced at the awards ceremony at Penny Park on Friday. The Lean Cuisine team of Gila Regional Medical Center were second; Step Ups ranked third; the 32<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Century Gothic" >nd</FONT> St. Misfits continued their substantial progress from last year to hold fourth place and the Pressing On team rounded out the top five overall winners. </div> <bR> <div> During the Fitness Cup Challenge, county residents clip on pedometers and count their daily steps to see who will take home the coveted Fitness Cup. This year medals were also handed out to the Best Stepper and Most Improved in each team. The Grant County Community Health Council and the Public Health Department joined forces to ensure this year's Challenge was bigger and better than ever. Last year teams walked over 100,000 miles in the two challenges held. This year the 29 teams averaged up to 350,000 steps a day with 270 challengers reporting in. That is over 2 million steps a week from the participants, or over 1,500 miles a week in walking. </div> <bR> <div> All that walking helped many residents stride towards better health. Kay Stailey of the T.O.P.S. (Taking off Pounds Sensibly) team said the Challenged positively impacted her health. All of her steps helped lowered her blood pressure by 40 points, and cut her medication in half. Stailey said, “The Fitness Challenge is great for the community and brings us all together; more people should join to experience the benefits better fitness can bring to their lives.” </div> <bR> <div> Sunny McFarren of the Gila Regional Medical Center's Sugarfoot team tripled her daily steps over the course of the six-week Challenge to win the Most Improved member of her team. McFarren said she started with small changes in her daily routine to accomplish her win, “I started by taking the stairs at work, parking further from my office, and then when I saw my steps increase I started to walk to work on days I didn't need a car.” She plans on keeping up her strides to participate in the Fall Fitness Cup Challenge. </div> <bR> <div> Sherry Klements of the overall winning team, Hot Mamas, was elated with her team's victory, “We all walked together. It helped to keep the team motivated.” Klements was also awarded Best Stepper of the Hot Mama team. Eva Purcell was awarded the Most Improved member for the Hat Mama's team. Their team averaged a weekly individual step total of 22,097, roughly 7 miles a day. The Hot Mamas will proudly display the Fitness Cup at Fort Bayard Medical Center until the next Fitness Cup Challenge when they will defend their ownership of the award against all challengers. </div> <bR> <div> Gary Stailey, co chair of the Grant County Community Health Council was astounded at the results. “Last year the teams walked equivalent to three times around the earth. This year we will see if we can make it far enough to reach the moon.” Stailey thinks the county teams can span the equivalent distance between the earth and moon, which is over 256,000 miles. The thought isn't impossible at all with the teams walking over 66,000 miles during each of the previous four Challenges. Hopefully, by the end of the Fall 2006 Challenge participants will span that vast distance of space in just 42 weeks of walking, over a 3-year period.</div> <bR> <div> The Fall Fitness Cup Challenge will begin in September 2006. For more information on the Fitness Cup Challenge call Melvyn Gelb at 538-5318 ext 112. For more information on the Health Council call 388-9708 ext. 13.  </div> <bR> <div> <I><B>Photo:</B></I><I> Sherry Klements (left) and Eva Purcell show off the strides that carried their team, Hot Mamas, to victory in the Health Council's Fitness Cup Challenge at Penny Park.</I></div> <bR> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="community_enhancement_fund_unveiled"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><B>Community Enhancement Fund unveiled</B></div> <div> Silver City, New Mexico, February 7, 2006:  The film <I>North Country,</I> that netted Charlize Theron an Oscar nomination for Best Actress, will net Grant County something even better than a gold-plated statue this year. Funds received by Phelps Dodge from the filming of <I>North Country</I> in the area's mines will be used to found the Phelps Dodge & Grant County Community Health Council's Community Enhancement Fund. </div> <div>  </div> <div> “We wanted the community to set its priorities for this gift,” said Rick Mohr, general manager for the New Mexico Operations of Phelps Dodge. “That is why we came to the Health Council: They have an extensive process in place to understand the most pressing needs in the county.” </div> <bR> <div> The $100,000 donation from the company will be utilized by the community in the form of the Community Enhancement Fund on priority areas affecting the county's wellness as assessed in the Community Health Improvement Plan, which is ratified by the County Commission. </div> <div>   </div> <div> The Community Enhancement Fund seeks to bring renowned speakers and trainings to Grant County, allowing the entire community to be enriched by events that focus on the Health Council's five priority areas: economic development, family resiliency, fitness and nutrition, domestic violence and substance abuse. </div> <bR> <div> Dr. Don Johnson, Health Council member, says the fund offers the community an opportunity in growth, “By bringing events to Grant County, it increases the number of organizations and community members that are able to attend.” Small rural communities and organizations often spend large portions of their funding to send a single person to a professional training. This allows Grant County an opportunity to experience trainings as a community and not individuals sent long distances to attend a training alone. </div> <bR> <div> Ralph Gauer, interim Executive Director of the Silver City-Grant County Economic Development Corporation (SIGRED), says the events from the fund will “position Grant County as not just a learner, but as a leader where these kinds of ideas are nurtured and propagated.” Gauer adds that by bringing professional speakers and trainings to the county it will “increase our visibility in the state and region. Bringing in speakers of the quality you are proposing will make Grant County a `smart spot' on the map: We'll develop a reputation for fostering discussion and study of these important issues, and that will certainly bring along economic development benefits.” </div> <bR> <div> The Community Enhancement Fund is currently seeking proposals. Preference will be given to proposals that include the following components: Health Council priorities; enhances or improves the Mining District region of Bayard, Hurley and Santa Clara; supports core team and Life Cycle activities; and offers diverse population participation. The Fund helps to defer costs for speakers that are leaders in their fields and training programs. It aims to expand the community's knowledge and base of information allowing for partnerships and growth of services as a whole county, not one person at a time.</div> <bR> <div> The Community Enhancement Fund submissions of proposal deadlines are: April 7<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Century Gothic" >th</FONT>, July 7<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Century Gothic" >th</FONT>, and October 6, 2006 and January 6, 2007. Notification of award will be two to four weeks after the proposal submission deadlines. </div> <bR> <div> Proposals are available at the Health Council's web site <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Century Gothic" ><A HREF="http://www.gcchc.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.gcchc.org"><U><U>http://www.gcchc.org</U></U></A></FONT> at the Health Council's office at 1310 E. 32<FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Century Gothic" >nd</FONT> St. or by calling Kendra Milligan at 388-9708 ext. 13.  </div> <bR> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="grant_county_begins_fitness_challenge_"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><B>Grant County begins fitness challenge</B> </div> <div> Silver City, New Mexico, September 23, 2004:  The Grant County Community Health Council's Fitness Cup Challenge began this week. Over 300 Grant County residents </div> <div> are clipping on pedometers to count their daily steps to compete for the Fitness Cup.</div> <bR> <div> The Health Council members have gathered teams from their sectors including Gila Regional Medical Center, Western New Mexico University, Silver Consolidated Schools, Public Health, local churches, the District Attorney's office and many more, to participate in the Challenge. The 10-week challenge aims at raising awareness of the need for exercise in everyone's daily life. Two Fitness Cups will be awarded one for the team with the most steps and the other for most improved team.  </div> <bR> <div> Participant Carmen Ortiz is excited about the Challenge, “I need the exercise.” Ortiz says wearing her pedometer for the last few days has raised her awareness of the exercise in her life. “I have more steps today than on Monday. It [the number of steps] goes up every day I wear the pedometer,” Ortiz said.</div> <bR> <div> Health Council co chair, Gary Stailey, is enthusiastic about the Challenge. Stailey said the Council is totaling the miles walked by the teams and will report the distance by circling the earth. “We'll go around the earth then shoot for the stars,” said Stailey, who believes the 28 teams will circumference the earth by the end of this Challenge and can start walking the distance between the earth and the moon by the next. </div> <bR> <div> Melvyn Gelb, Diabetes Public Health Nurse and originator of the Fitness Challenge, stated that the scientific studies have found “walking a mile a day will prevent diabetes and heart disease.” Gelb feels wearing a pedometers raises people's awareness of how far they walk every day. “This Challenge will help us have a healthier community. I am awe inspired by the participation and once again I find out that this is a great community,” Gelb added.</div> <bR> <div> Raising community fitness and nutrition were prioritized by the Health Council at last month's meeting joining the Council's other top priorities for Grant County: bringing sustainable economic development to the area, lowering the occurrence of domestic violence in the county, increasing the number of resilient families in the community, and lowering the rate of substance abuse in the county.</div> <bR> <div> For more information on the Grant County Community Health Council please call Kendra Milligan at 388-9708 ext 13. </div> <bR> <div>  <A NAME="fitness_and_nutrition_new_county"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A><B>Fitness and Nutrition new priority for Council</B></div> <div> <FONT SIZE="1" COLOR="#000000" FACE="Century Gothic" ><B>Silver City, New Mexico, August 30, 2004:</B></FONT>  Fitness and nutrition have been added as top priorities for Grant County wellness by the Grant County Community Health Council at last week's meeting.</div> <bR> <div> Melvyn Gelb, Diabetes Public Health Nurse, reported to the Health Council that over 56 percent of Grant County adults are overweight or obese and 25 percent of Grant County's children are overweight or obese. “We are the majority,” Gelb joked, whom has struggled with obesity since childhood. But Gelb is seriously concerned about the consequences of lack of physical exercise and poor nutrition is having on our community. </div> <bR> <div> In a 2002 survey, 78 percent of Grant County residents reported not exercising at all in the last 30 days. Also, 67 percent of 9th -12th graders reported not eating the recommended 5 fruits and vegetables a day on the 2001 Youth Risk and Resiliency Survey. With 9 types of cancer attributed to lack of physical activity and poor diet, Gelb worries for the health of our county residents, “Obesity is moving to the forefront as a preventable killer in the United States.” </div> <bR> <div> Charlie Alfero, Hidalgo Medical Services CEO and Health Council member, stated, “The two most frequent reasons people visit HMS is diabetes and hypertension, and those two conditions and poor diet and lack of exercise are directly related.”</div> <bR> <div> Gelb reported that $324 million is spent for obesity related problems in New Mexico alone, and $10 million more was spent treating diabetes over any other illness in Grant County. </div> <bR> <div> Health Council member, Tony Trujillo said, “The issue of obesity is one the Health Council will have to prioritize, if not now, than later and at a cost to our community. This is without a doubt a major priority in its financial cost to the county and the health of our community.”</div> <bR> <div> The Health Council will be joining the work that the community is all ready doing with community health groups like Fitness and Nutrition in Schools, FANS, and the Public Health Department's core team on raising exercise activity in county. Also, the Health Council will be offering a Fitness Challenge in September to promote physical activity in the area.</div> <bR> <div> Fitness and Nutrition joins the Heath Council's other priorities for the county: increasing the number of <I>resilient families</I>, lower the occurrence of <I>domestic violence</I>, lowering the rate of <I>substance abuse</I>, and raising the <I>economic developmen</I>t of the community.</div> <bR> <div> For more information on the Grant County Community Health Council please call Kendra Milligan at 388-9708 ext 13. </div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="coucil_brings_in__15_for_county_wellness"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Council brings in $15 Million for County Wellness</B></div> <div> <B>Silver City, New Mexico, September 2004</B>: In the last three years, the Grant County Community Health Council (GCCHC) has leveraged over $15 million in grant money for the community. That is a ratio of 60 dollars for the community for every one dollar invested in the council, making the GCCHC one of the top councils in the state for leveraging funds for the community. </div> <bR> <div> As part of Gila Regional Medical Center's community outreach, the Health Council is an invaluable asset to the community assessing, planning and coordinating community efforts to raise the quality of life in Grant County.</div> <bR> <div>  “It is the community partners that deserve the real credit for the $15 million in grant money brought to our county.”  The GCCHC is a diverse group of county leaders appointed by the Grant County Commission to serve as a health and wellness planning authority. The Health Council helps coordinate the efforts of the community to fill health and wellness gaps and needs. The council lend its support and backing to the community's effort to better itself and that has paid off with such programs as the Medication Assistance Program, Family Support Centers, the First Born Program and the newly opened Volunteer Center; all of which were created by our community outreach groups, called Life Cycles. The Life Cycles find creative and unique ways to meet Grant County's needs.</div> <bR> <div> This year's Life Cycle success was the opening of the Volunteer Center at 915 Santa Rita St. According to Lisa Grinnell, Director of the Volunteer Center, “The center would not have been possible without the GCCHC and Life Cycles. They helped change a dream into a reality. This is how social action changes the community.” Since 2001, over 50 community members, many Life Cycle members, have been involved with making the Volunteer Center a reality. The center's vision is to match volunteers with agencies, organizations, and individuals that need volunteers in the community. </div> <bR> <div> “Volunteering is a great way for people to learn more about the community and connect with new people,” said Grinnell. If you'd like to volunteer call Volunteer Center at 388-2988.</div> <bR> <div> The Health Council is involved in other community projects including publishing the Grant County Resource Directory that lists all the services available in the county. This handy guide is a must for anyone wanting to discover what resources are available in the community. It is available at the GCCHC website along with the Grant County Profile and data to help anyone learn more about the area. Visit the site at <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Century Gothic" ><A HREF="http://www.gcchc.org" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.gcchc.org"><U>http://www.gcchc.org</U></A></FONT> To aid the community in knowing what the Health Council is doing the meetings are now on CATS! Cable Channel 17. Tune in and learn what the GCCHC and Life Cycles are doing to make Grant County a better place to live.</div> <bR> <div> For more information on the GCCHC or the Life Cycles call Kendra at 388-9708 ext. 13</div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>