Dominic Cappello: Can you share with our reader what brought you to the 100% New Mexico initiative with a focus on preventing childhood trauma.

Ginny Adame: My commitment to this community health work stems from a deep-rooted belief in the importance of equitable access to essential services for every individual. Addressing childhood trauma is crucial because it can have long-lasting effects on an individual’s physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Early adverse experiences can impact brain development, behavior, and overall health outcomes, highlighting the urgency to provide support and interventions to mitigate the negative effects of trauma and promote resilience in children. 

Dominic Cappello: Why is it important to ensure all families have access to the positive social determinants of health, the services that are the drivers of health, safety and education?

Ginny Adame: Ensuring that all families have access to positive social determinants of health is essential because these factors, such as education, housing, employment, and social support, significantly influence an individual’s health outcomes and overall quality of life. By addressing these determinants, we can create environments that support healthy behaviors, reduce disparities, and enhance the well-being of families across the community. 

Dominic Cappello: Why did the county health council align its work with the 100% New Mexico initiative?

Ginny Adame: The health council is committed to the well-being of all residents, which means ensuring these ten vital services for surviving and thriving. Access to essential services is fundamental to addressing the root causes of health disparities and promoting holistic well-being. By providing comprehensive healthcare, education, housing, and social services support, we can empower individuals to lead healthier lives and build resilient communities. 

Dominic Cappello: One of the ten vital services being promoted is fully-resourced schools because schools are often the centerpiece of family life. How can the schools become places of both learning and healing, with school-based family resource centers that link visitors to vital services?

Ginny Adame: Schools can serve as places of both learning and healing by integrating school-based family resource centers that connect visitors to vital services. These centers can provide a hub for families to access resources such as healthcare, mental health support, housing assistance, and other essential services. By creating a supportive environment within schools that addresses the holistic needs of students and families, we can enhance well-being, academic success, and overall community resilience. 

Dominic Cappello: How might a community-based 100% Family Center: One-Stop Service Hub help family members access vital services onsite, online, or through staff navigators?

Ginny Adame: A one-stop service hub that can streamline access to vital services for family members by offering onsite support, online resources, and staff navigators who guide individuals through available services. This centralized approach simplifies seeking assistance by providing a convenient point of contact for accessing healthcare, social services, education support, and other essential resources. Families can more easily connect with the vital services they need to thrive by offering multiple access points and personalized assistance through staff navigators.

Dominic Cappello: Why are you having a 100% New Mexico Summit?

Ginny Adame: The summit aims to unite county leaders and stakeholders to foster collaboration, share knowledge, and develop a collective vision for creating a county where every resident can thrive. By convening key decision-makers and influencers, we can align efforts, leverage resources, and co-create strategies prioritizing equitable access to healthcare and vital services for all community members. 

Dominic Cappello: How can attending the summit strengthen the initiative’s shared vision, mission, and goals?

Ginny Adame: Through active participation in the summit, stakeholders can contribute diverse perspectives, expertise, and resources towards co-creating strategies that prioritize equitable access to vital services and promote thriving for all residents. By engaging in this transformative process together, each community stakeholder plays a vital role in shaping the county into a place where 100% can thrive, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued in driving positive change for the entire community’s well-being.

Dominic Cappello: So, your hope for the 100% Valencia Summit is to make sure everyone is on board and feels like they can have a place at the table?

Ginny Adame: Yes, it’s all about building strong relationships with stakeholders, addressing their concerns, and partnering with local organizations can further strengthen our engagement efforts and ensure that everyone feels connected to the project. It’s all about alignment, collaboration, innovation, and getting results.

The 100% Valencia Summit takes place Wednesday, March 20th  in Los Lunas.