A Note from the Executive Director | | |
HAPPY SBHC AWARENESS MONTH!
Shining a light on our superheroes!
As always in February, we pause to celebrate the field of school-based health care. This month, and every other, dedicated health care providers and administrators work to ensure that children are healthy and ready to learn. We are thrilled that Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham made a special proclamation to mark the occasion (see copy below). We'll also be joining some of our legislative champions at the Roundhouse on February 10th as both the House and Senate vote on memorial bills to acknowledge the importance of the field to New Mexico's families.
We know that this commemoration is symbolic and couldn't happen without the day to day hard work so many are doing in New Mexico's schools. We asked in our last newsletter for you to tell us about some of the superheroes you know, and we'd like to thank the teams at El Pueblo Family Health and REC 1 for sharing their stories below. We send our gratitude to you all for making our state a healthier place to learn for our children!
Wishing you a healthy SBHC Awareness Month!
Nancy Rodriguez, nancy@nmasbhc.org
P.S. A special note of gratitude to our sister organization in Minnesota, the MNSBHA: www.studenthealthmn.org/. They are supporting schools and families impacted by the violence in Minneapolis in a multitude of ways, including new provision of telehealth services and mutual aid outreach. Thank you to the heroes helping children stay healthy in tumultuous times.
| | February is School-Based Health Care Awareness Month | | |
This month is focused on spreading awareness on the benefits of school-based health centers. We want to celebrate the successes of our SBHCs. We're glad that many of our state's youth have improved access to health care services. Thank you to all our SBHCs and staff for the hard work you do! Thank you for your unwavering commitment and dedication.
We are also honored to share the Governor's Proclamation to celebrate this month.
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In celebration of SBHC Awareness month, we take a moment to recognize Irma Fuller, SBHC Coordinator at the Spartan-Bernalillo SBHC, sponsored by El Pueblo Health Services.
Here are some comments from her colleagues:
"Irma truly deserves to be recognized for everything she has done here and for the lasting impact she has made. While I am saddened that she will be retiring this year, meeting her and being welcomed with open arms has been a wonderful and meaningful journey. Watching her interact with students has been especially inspiring. I was even told by a student that some students wish Ms. Fuller would personally invite them to the clinic, not realizing that everyone is always welcome. These are just some of the meaningful stories I have gathered that reflect how deeply she is valued."
and
"Irma's commitment to students over many years, decades, is inspiring. Her consistent commitment to quality and meaningful operations of our SBHC, attention to detail, even when no one is looking, and during times of much change demonstrates a deep level of integrity. She also consistently also reflects on her own work to raise the bar even further to improve the services and care students receive."
Thank you Irma! You are a superhero!
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In celebration of SBHC Awareness month, we take a moment to recognize David Bowman, recently retired as Executive Director of Regional Educational Collaborative 1
Here are some comments from his colleagues:
"David Bowman, is nominated by the REC for his hard work launching a state-wide CLIA Waiver project. The project, described in an article below for those wishing to participate, garnered funding to assist schools and school districts with obtaining a CLIA Certificate of Waiver to perform Point of Care (POC) CLIA Certificate of Waiver tests on-site. This enabled schools to provide testing services for Covid, Influenza A & B, and pregnancy, identify health conditions needing treatment early, and keeping students and staff in school. Many thanks to David Bowman for his championing of this important school-based health service!"
Thank you David! You are a superhero!
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February 2026 features the Mesa Vista SBHC staff, sponsored by Las Clinicas del Norte. Thank you for submitting photos for the calendar!
If you haven't received a copy and wish to request one, please reach out to NMASBHC!
Special thanks to United Healthcare Community Plan for sponsoring this year's calendar.
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What professional development topics do you need to support your SBHC work in 2026?
2025 has come and gone; we just finished Head to Toe in November. When you think about educational content that would help you in your day-to-day work, what topics do you need? What would help you? Complete our very short survey to help us craft our 2026 opportunities.
Consider behavioral health, primary care, sexual and reproductive health, or other relevant topics. Your input will help shape professional development offerings in the coming year. While we cannot guarantee all topics will be covered, this feedback helps elevate requests coming from SBHCs across New Mexico.
Click Here to Complete Survey
| | 2025 SBHC Directory Update & Survey | | |
New Mexico School Health ECHO sessions have returned for 2025-2026. Sessions are on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month at 12:00 PM MST.
February 2026 sessions:
February 10th
February 24th
You can visit the iECHO for slides, videos, recordings and resources from past presentations.
After registering, you can view past content and get notifications for upcoming sessions.
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Level 3 SBHC Planning & Special Project Grants
The FY27 Level 3 SBHC Planning and Special Projects grant application will open at the end of February. This opportunity supports medical sponsors ready to move planning or special project ideas forward in response to student and community needs. Full details will be shared soon. Sign up here to be alerted when the application opens.
SIGN UP
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You still have time to get a special gift for your valentine and you can support NMASBHC with your purchase.
Join us at the Kendra Scott in Uptown-Albuquerque on
Saturday, February 7th from 10 am - 12 pm.
If you can't make it by, your online purchase can still benefit NMASBHC. Make your purchase from kendrascott.com between 12:00 AM on Saturday, February 8th through Sunday, February 8th at 11:59 PM.
Use the code GIVEBACK-LFCJX at checkout.
| | NMASBHC Youth Advisory Group | | | | |
The Youth Health Advisory Group supports youth to advance health care access for their peers, share expertise on health-related topics and give important youth voice to the field of school-based health care. Participants will engage in activities and projects that can provide critical input to the development and delivery of services, and advocate for SBHC services across the state.
If you have youth that might be interested, please encourage them to apply and complete the application. For any questions, visit our website or contact Wilma at wilma@nmasbhc.org.
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NM Lions Operation KidSight &
SBHC Partnership Opportunity
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New Mexico Lions Operation KidSight, Inc. is a 501c3 organization, working to establish and maintain a sustainable program to provide annual eye screenings and follow-up eye exams and treatment, if needed, for all young children in New Mexico. The program also is working with local and national partners to provide additional avenues to help youth and families increase access to eye exams and glasses.
NMASBHC is partnering with the program to increase access for students and families served by their SBHCs. SBHCs can request a frames kit for the Spare Pair program to have in your site. This increases access to the frames that can be ordered through the program. If your SBHC is interested in participating in this program that provides free glasses to patients, please email Wilma at wilma@nmasbhc.org.
| | | SBHCs and Education Outcomes, 2014-19 | | |
Apex has been working on a statewide study to analyze SBHC utilization and NM PED academic data. Results are available for the time period from 2014-2019. You can find this report and other past year reports on the NMASBHC website.
If you have any questions about the data, please communicate with Kristin Oreskovich at Kristin.Oreskovich@doh.nm.gov.
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The New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA) and Medical Assistance Division (MAD) will be launching Turquoise Claims, a new Medicaid claims management system which will go-live in December.
Turquoise Claims will replace the current Medicaid claims management system (Omnicaid) and the NM Medicaid Provider Web Portal. You will find Turquoise Claims on the YES.NM.GOV website and log in to access the Provider/PED Enrollment system.
HCA plans to schedule demonstrations in local communities. Please check the website for updated information.
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NM Medicaid Presumptive Eligibility
Determiner Training
| | If you have staff that need the training, please contact HSD at the email address below to indicate the need to register for training. Contact at HSD.PEDeterminers@hca.nm.gov or call (505) 476-7151. | | |
Value Added Benefits are additional services or benefits that Managed Care Organization (MCO) offer for their members. It is important to communicate with your MCO for these services.
The flyer has a list of some of these benefits for SBHC Youth and their families.
| | | Investing in New Mexico's Healthcare Workforce | | |
Below is a recently published UnitedHealthcare article titled “Investing in New Mexico’s Healthcare Workforce.” This piece highlights UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of New Mexico’s ongoing efforts to address health challenges in our state—particularly in Health Professional Shortage Areas for primary care—by investing in and supporting our local healthcare workforce.
School-Based Health Centers play an important role in our communities and these initiatives help address gaps for our students and families.
Link: https://www.uhccommunityandstate.com/content/state-profiles/new-mexico-profile/investing-in-new-mexicos-health-care-workforce
| | Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico Resources | | Are your patients feeling stressed, anxious or discouraged? Perhaps Learn to Live can offer support. | | Here are some patient education resources for birth control options. | | |
Are your patients returning after that quick sick visit?
Don't miss an opportunity to offer a comprehensive well care, even during a sick visit.
| | Clinic Resources, Training Opportunities and Community Announcements | | Do You Want To Do On-Site Health Testing? | | |
Make-A-Wish NM grants life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Our goal is to spread hope and joy as much as possible with these children and their families during these trying times.
Data shows that each year 163 children in New Mexico are diagnosed with a critical condition that can qualify them for a wish. Our mission is to grant wishes for every eligible child in New Mexico. With that said, our NM chapter is seeing a big drop in referrals.
A wish begins with a referral and that can start with YOU! Help us grant more wishes by submitting referrals and sharing our contact information with those interested in learning more!
Scan the QR or go to md.wish.org to find information on what types of diagnosis may qualify (Other conditions may be considered if life-threatening comorbidities place the child’s life in jeopardy and will be reviewed case by case) and how to submit a referral.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions and do not hesitate to share my information with others.
Adela Sena – Community and Medical Outreach Coordinator – asena@newmexico.wish.org – 505.888.9474
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Community Violence Training -
Empowering Resilient Youth
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The University of Michigan - Michigan Medicine and Adolescent Health Initiative has shared a training module that explores community violence, trauma, trauma-informed care, youth engagement and youth-adult partnerships, and how school-based health centers can foster partnerships with youth to address community violence.
Access the Community Violence Training Module HERE.
| | SBHC Bridges Gaps for Moriarty-Edgewood Students | | SBIRT Research Opportunity | | |
You are invited to participate in a research project entitled “A Pilot Evaluation of a Brief Web-Based Training Module on Adolescent SBIRT for Pediatric Primary Care Providers in New Mexico.”
This project is a pilot evaluation of a brief, web-based training designed to support pediatric health care providers in delivering Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) services for adolescents. The study will gather information from providers regarding their impressions of feasibility and satisfaction with the training webinar as well as its impact on provider knowledge, comprehension, and perceived competence in utilizing SBIRT clinical skills and techniques.
Participants will receive $100 for completing the study which should require approximately two hours of time. We would greatly appreciate your participation in the pilot study to help us gauge the usefulness and relevance of this training for pediatric health care providers in New Mexico.
If you are interested in participating or would like more information, please send an e-mail to SBIRTtraining@salud.unm.edu.
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NMDOH Nicotine Use and Control Program and Constellation Consulting are offering paid stipend opportunities to youth organizations for nicotine use prevention and control activities. For details, view the flyer.
For any questions, contact Emily Puffer at emily@constellationnm.com
| | Free O-Pill for Clinics! | |
Bold Futures NM has been working on increasing access to over the counter birth control as part of the Free the Pill Coalition for many years.
As a result of this collaboration they have received their first bulk donation of OPill. They have both 1 month and 3 month packs available.
If your organization is interested in distributing OPill at no cost to patients, please email Rach Arrey (they/them) at rachel@boldfuturesnm.org.
Please include:
1) how many packs of OPill you are requesting,
2) what type (1 month or 3 month),
3) as well as your location , and
4) a sentence or two describing the communities that you serve
If you have further questions about the OPill for the students you serve please reach out to our adolescent health clinical consultant, Jen Robinson, Jen@nmasbhc.org. She is an excellent resource! Be on the lookout for a short webinar this fall going over all things OPill for SBHCs! Sign up for That Time of the Month to get updates on this training and more!
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Please share widely to help raise awareness about pathways for reporting prescription denials for short acting contraception!
Sign up for the NMASBHC mid-monthly reproductive and sexual health update, That Time of the Month! Each month you will get the latest and greatest updates, trainings opportunities, and resources direct from Jen to your inbox. Sign up here!
If you need immediate support or technical assistance regarding sexual and reproductive health care feel free to email me at Jen@nmasbhc.org.
| | Contraception Mentoring Program Trainings | | |
Perimenopause and Contraception
February 5th - 12-1PM
Hormonal methods, including estrogen-containing methods, are safe during perimenopause in the absence of contraindications. We will discuss how to determine when someone using hormonal contraception is approaching menopause, and how hormonal contraception could reduce vasomotor symptoms of perimenopause for some people. Participants will receive 1.0 CME credit hour at no cost
CLICK TO REGISTER
IUD and Nexplanon Trainings
IUD Practicum - Albuquerque
February 19th - 3-5 PM
Clinician trainers from the Contraception Mentoring Program will conduct a 2-hour hands-on practicum on IUD skills. We will use pelvic models to practice inserting and removing different types of IUDs. Our clinicians will also review managing challenges related to IUDs, and will be happy to answer any questions related to contraception during or after training. Participants will receive 2.0 CME credit hours at no cost.
CLICK TO REGISTER
Please email Andrea Andersen at aanderse@salud.unm.edu to get connected with registration for an IUD and Nexplanon training or to request future training in your area.
| | School Professionals Oral Health Toolkit | | |
Child & Adolescent Mental Health
Trainings for Providers and Professionals
NM-ABC trainings are all free of charge, with CME/CEUs provided. NM-ABC is a partnership between the UNM Center for Development and Disability and the NM Department of Health. NM-ABC provides training, consultation and resources related to youth mental health for providers across New Mexico.
- Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health
- Autism Spectrum Disorder: Screening and Interventions
- Youth Suicide: Screening and Safety Planning
- Non-Suicidal Self Injury: Screening and Interventions
- Helping Children and Youth Cope with Loss and Grief
- Adolescent Substance Use: Screening and Interventions
- Anxiety Disorders in Children and Adolescents
- Depressive Disorders in Children and Adolescents
- Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care with Children and Youth
- Brief Intervention Techniques with Children and Youth
- ADHD Diagnosis and Management
- SSRIs and Pediatric Patients: Best Practices
- Youth Returning Home from Inpatient and Residential Stays: Bridging the Transition
- Tips from a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist: What Healthcare Providers Need to Know
For more information or to schedule a training, please contact NM-ABC program manager Amy Glass at aeglass@salud.unm.edu
| | | 1-833-SW Nurse - NMDOH Helpline | |
CALL: 1-833-SWNURSE (1-833-796-8773)
OR TEXT: NMDOH (66364)
New Mexicans can call or text the NMDOH helpline to speak to a nurse about:
- Health assistance
- Vaccine scheduling
- Help finding a provider
- Reproductive health services
- Animal bites, food-related illness, infectious disease
| | NM Together for Healthcare | | |
As the NM Legislative session moves forward, organizations such as NM Together for Healthcare are working hard for our communities.
NM Together for Healthcare is a statewide, multiracial campaign of families and community organizations working together to strengthen healthcare access for all of New Mexico’s children and families. We work to advance affordable healthcare solutions for all New Mexicans and build a community-led movement to take part in healthcare policy decisions.
View their website for updates.
| | February Health Awareness Activities | | Support NMASBHC this year! | | | | |
