Public safety, a critical aspect of border community life, was explored in depth with Doña Ana Sheriff Kim Stewart. Her presentation highlighted both the challenges faced by law enforcement in border regions and opportunities for enhancing safety for all community members. Dr. Hector Antonio Padilla Delgado from the Autonomous University of Ciudad Juarez provided an insightful presentation on “Migration Challenges in Ciudad Juarez.”

A key focus of the conference was the presentations on border health, including the 100% New Mexico initiative. Attendees were introduced to both English and Spanish versions of Anna, Age Eight: The data-driven prevention of childhood trauma and maltreatment. This book serves as a foundational resource for the community engagement phase of the 100% New Mexico initiatives. The presentation outlined the vision, mission, goals, and activities of the initiative, emphasizing its focus on transforming adverse social determinants of health into positive ones.

Central to the initiative is the concept presented in 100% Community: Ensuring 10 vital services for surviving and thriving. This approach underscores the importance of guaranteeing access to essential services for every family, a critical factor in building healthy, safe, and prosperous border communities. The goal is to operationalize the social determinants of health across all cities and counties.

The conference’s success was greatly enhanced by excellent simultaneous translation services, which facilitated seamless communication and dialogue between all participants, regardless of language barriers. This linguistic inclusivity was crucial in fostering a truly collaborative atmosphere.

Throughout the discussions, a clear theme emerged: the power of collaboration in supporting border communities. Participants recognized the potential for creating environments that strengthen health, safety, education, and economic development through coordinated efforts on both sides of the border.

The Western Office of the Council of State Governments, the conference sponsor, deserves commendation for orchestrating this impactful international dialogue. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, the conference not only highlighted pressing issues but also generated constructive discussions on solutions for community building, workforce development, and robust economic growth in border regions.

The “100% Model” and Border Health

The presentation of the 100% New Mexico initiative at this conference marks a significant step in promoting a comprehensive approach to community well-being in border areas. By ensuring access to vital services and addressing social determinants of health, the initiative aligns perfectly with the conference’s goals of fostering stronger, healthier, and more prosperous border communities.

As border regions continue to face unique challenges and opportunities, initiatives like 100% New Mexico offer a blueprint for collaborative, data-driven approaches to improving quality of life. The positive reception of this initiative at the Border Legislative Conference suggests a growing recognition of the need for holistic, cross-border strategies in addressing the complex issues facing these vital communities.