This weekend we “fall back” as daylight savings time ends. We’ll rely on this manipulation of time to address the season’s dying light. At the risk of creating a negative metaphor, I have to say that I am struck by how many people and institutions engaged in children’s health in our state are mired in fallback positions and having difficulty finding the light as we address grim statistics in children’s well-being. So, I am using this short note to challenge us all to embrace and build upon the strengths and achievements in our larger field. For example, during the 2019 legislative session, our state government increased its’ investment in SBHCs by more than a million dollars! Investments in education also led to a decrease in teacher vacancy rates in this school year. Even the seemingly intractable child poverty rate in New Mexico has improved slightly. More generally, the state of New Mexico is projected to have a 900 hundred million budget surplus for next year. It will take sustained investment to move the needle further on children’s health and educational outcomes. Since November is a month when many take time to be thankful, I hope we can all focus on what is possible. Please know that NMASBHC will be embracing an attitude of hope, gratitude and determination; anything less would be a disservice to our children.
Wishing you all a month filled with light,
Nancy Rodriguez
nancyrodrigueznmasbhc@gmail.com
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