The Santa Fe County Community Services Department released funding in the amount of $250,000 for services to reduce the number of low birth weight babies born in Santa Fe County. Contracts were issued to two community based providers, La Familia and Las Cumbres, to develop new and enhance existing programs. Reducing the incidence of low birth weight babies in Santa Fe County is one of the top priorities of the Santa Fe Health Policy and Planning Commission and is reflected in the County’s Health Action Plan. Santa Fe County is home to 9,900 children under the age of six, over half of whom reside in low income households, and 19 percent of whom live in poverty. The finalization of the contracts coincides with this week’s action by the Santa Fe County Board of County Commissioners to pass a Resolution affirming their support and funding for a number of key early childhood initiatives. Sponsored by Commissioner Kathy Holian, this Resolution affirms the Commission’s support of various other early childhood projects spearheaded and funded by Santa Fe County, including: - A community-based Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) program for pregnant women in Santa Fe County who use opiates, in the amount of $158,000, that began in FY 2015 and has resulted so far in 30 babies born healthy;
- Payment of the costs of prenatal care for medically indigent women who are not eligible for Medicaid;
- The Imagination Library program that delivers free books in English and Spanish to children, from birth to age five, was funded in the amount of $60,000 and has already delivered free books to over 760 children.
- The annual production of the Resource Directory for Families with Young Children, in English and Spanish, which provides essential information for new parents and the community at large about programs and services related to childhood health and well-being.
“Investing in our children as early as possible provides the best return to our community,” stated Commissioner Holian. The Resolution was passed unanimously in support of Santa Fe County children and can be found at http://www.santafecountynm.gov/documents/ordinances/2015-80.pdf. |
