N.M. Congressional Democrats Welcome Over $30 Million In HHS Grants To Improve School Readiness, Health Care In New Mexico

WASHINGTON (June 14, 2022) — U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) and Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) are welcoming more than $30 million in federal grants from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). This funding will support improvements to early education and family support, primary care services, and medical research across New Mexico.

“With these grants, the federal government is making an investment of tens of millions of dollars in our children, and in access to quality health care in our state,” said Heinrich. “This will provide critical support for research, primary care delivery, early learning and development, and family welfare. Improving access to quality education and medical care is a key step to ensure the health and wellbeing of all New Mexicans.” 

“With more than $30 million coming to New Mexico to invest in education and health care, I am confident that these federal grants will help improve the lives of New Mexico children and families,” said Luján, a Head Start alumnus. “As a leader on the HELP Committee, I am committed to delivering investments that will better prepare students for the future, improve access to health care, and support our entrepreneurs and small businesses.” 

“Our kids are our future, and we must invest in the programs that every family in New Mexico needs to thrive,” said Stansbury. “I’m proud to welcome over $30 million in federal funding to support the crucial work that organizations like YDI Inc. do for our kids and drive health research at UNM. We are working every day in Congress to expand on vital funds like these across our state.”

“As a little girl, I attended Head Start and fell in love with learning. I know what a difference these programs make; this is why I helped secure these $30 million in funding that will support programs to improve early education and healthcare for our communities,” said Leger Fernández. “When we invest in our children, we invest in the future of New Mexico.”

HHS is awarding more than $27 million Head Start Projects in New Mexico. The Head Start Program promotes school readiness for children from low-income families through early learning initiatives, health screenings, nutrition support and family wellbeing. 

Additionally, HHS is providing a grant of more than $2.8 million through the Health Center Program to improve coordinated care management, implement quality improvement practices, and reduce health disparities. 

HHS is awarding more than $575,000 to the University of New Mexico through the Division of Allergy, Immunology, and Transplantation. This grant will fund research to improve our understanding of immunologic diseases and to develop new diagnostic, treatment, and prevention strategies.

HHS is also providing a grant of more than $240,000 for vision research through the Small Business Innovation Research program. This program provides funds to small businesses and startups to support federal research and development efforts. 

HHS is awarding funding to the following:

• $4,159,061 to HELP – New Mexico, Inc for Head Start Projects and $1,492,759 for Early Head Start Child Care Partnerships
• $8,137,214 to Youth Development Inc. for Head Start Projects
• $1,304,095 to New Mexico State University for Head Start Projects 
• $6,263,155 to Southeast NM Community Action Corporation for Head Start Projects 
• $2,039,033 to West Las Vegas Public Schools for Head Start Projects 
• $2,236,391 to Eastern Plains Community Action Agency, Inc. for Head Start Projects 
• $2,036,989 to the City of Albuquerque for Head Start Projects
• $2,807,662 to Health Center Inc. to expand comprehensive primary care services 
• $575,206 to the University of New Mexico for immunology and transplantation research 
• $247,627 to VisionQuest Biomedical Inc. for vision research