N.M. Congressional Democrats Welcome Almost $400,000 In American Rescue Plan Funding To Support New Generation Of Public Health Leaders

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Martin Heinrich (D-N.M) and Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.) and U.S. Representatives Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) and Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) announced $363,458 in American Rescue Plan grant funding to support the recruitment, training, and development of a new generation of public health leaders in New Mexico. The funding will support 20 new positions across three Public Heath AmeriCorps projects in New Mexico. 

“As a former AmeriCorps member in New Mexico, I know first-hand that there is no venture more rewarding than working to improve the lives of those around us,” said Heinrich. “I’m proud to welcome this American Rescue Plan funding to support a new generation of AmeriCorps leaders and expand available public health resources in New Mexico.”

“I was proud to celebrate National Public Health Week last week by joining my colleagues in welcoming this robust funding to create new public health positions in New Mexico,” said Luján. “Following the resolution I led last week to raise awareness about public health challenges, I’m glad this funding will help expand and improve public health services in our state while providing more opportunities for our future generations.” 

“This pandemic has highlighted the critical role public health leaders play in keeping our communities healthy and thriving. We must continue to support their efforts as we move forward,” said Leger Fernández. “I am excited to see these investments in my district to ensure we can help develop the great new generation of public health leaders.”

“On the heels of National Public Health Week, I am proud to celebrate American Rescue Plan funding that invests in opportunities for our young people to serve our communities in advancing public health and food security,” said Stansbury. “These AmeriCorps projects will expand access to critical public health resources for our communities and facilitate the training, recruitment, and development of public health leaders right here in New Mexico!” 

New Public Health AmeriCorps grants for New Mexico:

$199,303 to the Rio Arriba County Health and Human Services Department in Española

This funding will support 10 part-time AmeriCorps members to serve as Community Health Workers, coordinating vaccination clinics and performing vaccine education. These AmeriCorps members will serve at least 1,000 individuals and contribute to the vaccination of school-aged children between 5 and 18 years old.

$87,772 to the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps Public Health Crew program in Ranchos de Taos

This funding will support eight part-time AmeriCorps members to serve as mental health mentors at Taos High School, Vista Grande High School, Espanola High School, and the Health and Community Services Department in Taos Pueblo, New Mexico. These AmeriCorps members will help students complete the Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) assessment and the Project Amp curriculum.

$76,383 to Roadrunner Food Bank of New Mexico in Albuquerque

This funding will support two full-time AmeriCorps members to assist community members with resource navigation and referrals to healthcare providers across New Mexico. AmeriCorps members will assist individuals and increase health knowledge for food insecure New Mexicans.

Public Health AmeriCorps, a partnership between AmeriCorps and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, supports the recruitment, training, and development of a new generation of public health leaders. Supported by a five-year, $400 million investment from the American Rescue Plan Act, Public Health AmeriCorps will help meet public health needs of local communities by providing surge capacity and support while also creating pathways to public health-related careers.