SAVE THE DATE - Spring Gathering of Health Councils

Monday, April 11, 2016

 The New Mexico Alliance of Heath Councils invites members and coordinators and community partners to attend a Spring Gathering of Health Councils as a pre-conference meeting at the New Mexico Public Health Association Annual Conference at the Las Cruces Convention Center on April 11.  This will be an opportunity to get together with friends and colleagues, and to have open discussions on the future of health councils in New Mexico.  Possible topics will include:

·       Regional collaboration among county and tribal health councils

·       Planning for 2016 and 2017

·       Leadership and succession planning

·       Strengthening the network of health councils

·       Health System Innovation:  What next?

·       Funding and local support in a time of scarcity

·       Using health data

·       Other topics identified by participants

 The emphasis will be on sharing ideas, experiences, and challenges, and on identifying creative ways to work together.  There will be a general meeting, small-group break-out sessions, and a friendly and lively social event in the evening. 

 We know that the expense of travel is a barrier for many.  The Department of Health has agreed that funds received by health councils from DOH for attendance at regional meetings and other 2015 deliverables may be used for travel to the Health Council Gathering in Las Cruces. 

 Health council work can be strengthened immeasurably by learning from other health councils, and from developing collaborative approaches to common challenges.  Electronic communication is useful and essential, but there is no substitute for in-person interaction.  We are hoping that as many people as possible—health council members, coordinators, and community partners—will be able to attend this gathering, and if possible, to stay for at least part of the NMPHA conference.  (For information on the NMPHA annual conference, go to their home page at www.nmpha.org.

 If you would like to attend the gathering, please register at the following link:

 http://www.nmpha.org/event-2179850

 Stay tuned for additional information, and we hope to see you in Las Cruces.

 --The NMAHC Board