The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #55973

Joseph Vigil, LISW, Santa Fe County Health Office, N.M. Department of Health, 605 Letrado St. , Suite B, Santa Fe, NM 87505 and Millie L. Gross, MA, Rio Arriba County Health Office, N.M. Department of Health, Rt. 3 Box 348, Espanola, NM 87532, (505) 747-4324, mgross@doh.state.nm.us.

New Mexico has had one of the highest rates of heroin overdoses in the United States. Rio Arriba County leads New Mexico in heroin overdoses. In 2001, Dept. of Health's Behavioral Health Services division received a grant for $30,000 to organize the faith community in Rio Arriba County. Joseph Vigil, School Mental Health Advocate for the Public Health Division, District II, Office of School Health, was asked to take the lead on organizing. Rio Arriba County is home to Sikhs, Roman Catholics, Presbyterians, Jews, Pentacostals, Evangelicals, Methodists and other Christian denominations, as well as the native traditional pueblos and rural traditional hispano communities. The various faith communities, under the leadership of the Public Health Division, gathered together to form a collaborative community effort to begin to address the substance abuse and Black Tar Heroin problem effecting many Northern New Mexico rural communities. It was through this collaborative effort that the faith initiatives and Public Health organized a faith conference called, "Healing Hearts, Inspiring Communities." The conference attracted 150 participants representing faith communities, Public Health and grass roots organizations. In July 2002, more than 175 participants, mainly faith leaders, met in Taos, New Mexico to begin the process of community development and organizing. Since this effort has taken place, Interfaith L.E.A.P. (Leadership & Education for the Advancement of People) has come into existance. Interfaith L.E.A.P. represents fourteen faith based congregations throughout Northern New Mexico, collaborating with Public Health, and grassroots organizations. The effort continues as Interfaith L.E.A.P. continues to grow and build their grassroots organization.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will learn the process of community development and organizing, macro approaches to public health, key concepts of community development models, and an understanding of collaborative grassroots efforts of Public Health entities with faith communities. Participants will learn the skills necessary to organize faith communities, and gain better understanding of grassroots approaches to Public Health. At the conclusion of this session, participants will have gained knowledge of grassroots macro approaches to community development incorporating faith communities, public health and other professionals.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.