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| Wilson Seeks Funding for Critical Education and Health Care Programs in New Mexico |
May 10, 2002 |
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Washington, DC - Congresswoman Heather Wilson sent a letter to Congressman Ralph Regula (R-OH), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations to request funding for key programs in New Mexico.
“New Mexico has developed some innovative programs that provide education, health care, and employment assistance,” said Wilson. “We need to provide the necessary resources for these programs that can really make a difference in the quality of education we are giving our children and the quality of health care we need. The funding I have requested will help these programs expand and help many New Mexicans improve their quality of life.”’
Wilson requested funding for the following programs:
$1.875 million for a Math and Science Regional Center of Excellence for the University of New Mexico. The Center will increase the capability of New Mexico’s public school teachers to deliver appropriate, high quality math and science education. This will be accomplished both through the “pre-service” education of future teachers currently attending the College, as well as in advanced professional development workshops/institutes for existing K-12 educators from across the state. The funding for the project will go toward technology enhancements, tuition and stipends for student and teacher participants, project documentation and research, Academy operating expenses, and travel reimbursement for trainers and participants.
$300,000 for the New Mexico Business Executives for the Education Strengthening Quality in Schools (SQS) program. The purpose of this program is to implement quality in education by using the Baldrige Criteria and Quality Concepts. New Mexico is one of six pilot states that is using the Baldrige Criteria to improve student achievement and system performance. SQS participating schools have all demonstrated growth in educational achievement.
$100,000 for the State of New Mexico Health Policy Commission to develop a Nursing Excellence Program. This funding request will support the development phase of creating a nursing recruitment and retention program. The purpose of the program is to assess the nursing workforce inventory, analyze the capacity of the nursing work force to meet the health needs of New Mexicans, and further develop an on-going workforce planning alliance among local nursing schools, hospitals, and other health care providers.
$50,000 for Youth Development, Inc. (YDI) for the Education and Prevention Initiative. YDI, as one of the largest community based organizations, has a long term and successful track record. It has been providing comprehensive services for vulnerable and at risk children, youth and families since 1971. Its missions is to work together with children, youth and families to create and implement an involvement, build useful life skills and acknowledge, reward and reinforce achievements.
$2.25 million for the Center for Emerging and Infectious Diseases at the University of New Mexico. The funding would be used to support planning, infrastructure development and renovation for a center for biological detection and intervention against emerging infectious diseases. A portion of the request covers the first of two installments for renovation of current space for hantavirus containment laboratory.
$256,000 for the New Mexico Department of Labor’s One-Stop Career Center. The New Mexico Department of Labor is establishing a One-Stop Career Center in three Albuquerque high schools. The Centers will focus on assisting students with career exploration, labor market information, dial-a-teen employment program, and referrals to supportive services agencies. The Centers’ goals are to provide access to information on career and education planning, fill labor force needs, lower drop-out rates, assist in career exploration and planning, and help students find and keep a job.
Additional programs for which Wilson requested funding are:
$98.5 million for nursing education programs financed through the Health Professions activity of the Health Resources and Services Administration
$10 million to support annual operation of the Nurse-Managed Health Centers
$2 million for Futures for Children (FFC), a non-profit corporation whose mission is to improve the well-being of American Indian children
$1 million for Metropolitan College for court reporting closed captioning students
$8.3 million for the University of New Mexico’s Health Science Center Education building
$2 million for the University of New Mexico’s Youth Homeless and Drop-in Research Center
$1.43 million for the construction of new health facility for Presbyterian Medical Services
$225,000 for Junior Achievement of New Mexico
$2.25 million for First Choice Health Care
$4 million for Lovelace Respiratory Research Institute
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