A local agency opted to fund Quay County Maternal Child and Community Health counseling services after legislature cutbacks led to statewide budget cuts.

“In March 2010, legislative cutbacks forced the Department of Health to cut funding statewide for all health councils,” said Alida Brown, MCCH coordinator. “This meant without another funding source the MCCH was no longer going to be able to provide its services to the county.”

Brown said TeamBuilders Counseling Services, Inc. has decided to provide financial support for the Quay County MCCH Council.

“I have served on the MCCH Council for a few years and feel the community benefits from the services it provides,” said TeamBuilders Director of Residential Services A.C. Chavarria.

Chavarria said he was approached by TeamBuilders CEO Shannon Freedle about the condition of the council in Tucumcari. He said Freedle expressed a desire to support the council in Tucumcari.

“We felt it was a good way to help out the community,” Chavarria said.

The Quay County MCCH Council has partnered since 1993 with Quay County schools to provide school-based services to children and families, including mental health counseling, health education and case management.

The council is working closely with the schools, counselor Ann Largent and TeamBuilders to develop the means to continue the school-based mental health services during this school year.

Brown said health councils have made a significant difference in the health and well-being of New Mexico residents in the area of teen pregnancy, substance abuse, access to medical care and social justice, among other locally determined priorities.

Brown said Quay County MCCH Council has worked through the years to assist the communities in meeting their needs, including the PMS/Quay County Family Health Center, Early Head Start and USDA Breakfast Program in Tucumcari Schools, among others.

“The council, with the support of TeamBuilders Counseling Services, will continue its work with Quay County communities and partners to address current community priorities,” Brown said.

A survey completed by Quay County residents was conducted by the MCCH staff in Jan. 2009 to identify the priorities the community wanted to see addressed, which included obesity prevention, substance abuse prevention and treatment, teen pregnancy prevention and education, suicide prevention and mental health services.

“The support the MCCH Council has had over the years from communities and volunteers, in addition to the schools and Quay County government, has been gratifying,” said Bob Grzywacz, council chair. “We look forward with appreciation to partnering with TeamBuilders Counseling Services in maintaining the council's momentum until state budgets allow for continued public funding.”