What’s New?

NM Alliance of Health Councils announces new Executive Director appointment. With much gratitude to our Board of Directors and staff for their hard work and exhaustive efforts to find our new Executive Director, it is with great confidence that we invite you to join us in welcoming Valeria Alarcón to the New Mexico Alliance of Health Councils.

The New Mexico Alliance of Health Councils is delighted to announce the joining of Valeria Alarcón as the new Executive Director. Valeria brings 20+ years of experience in the nonprofit and private and public sectors. She is a visionary, thought-provoker, and has a successful track record in high level and tactical organizational management, and building cross-sector collaborations. Valeria’s commitment to advancing Health Equity is deeply aligned with the New Mexico Alliance of Health Council’s mission “to improve the health of all New Mexicans by supporting and strengthening county and tribal health councils, advocating for health equity, and by providing a strong voice for community and public health.”

Thriving in the face of adversity has defined Valeria’s life, especially during her childhood while growing up in inner city Boston in the 1980s. Her life experiences as an immigrantchild and Latina-woman-of-color have shaped her in profound ways. As a result, Valeria is deeply committed to cultivating cultures of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, at a fundamental level. 

Valeria founded VIA Consulting LLC. in 2009, a consultancy specializing in innovative solutions and accelerating race and gender equity. Clients include nonprofits, international non-governmental organizations, social entrepreneurs, foundations, businesses, and municipalities. Valeria holds a B.S. in Organizational Psychology from the College of Santa Fe, is certified in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Training by Cornell University, and is also certified in Integrative Nutrition by the Institute of Integrative Nutrition, NY. For more information please visit: www.VIAConsultingLLC.com 

Valeria’s forward-thinking and collaborative spirit will continue to leverage the unifiedmission and public policy work in advancing Health Equity across our state. Her commitment to cultivating leadership from within will be critical to the organization’scapacity building goals and long-term success.

Press Release - For Immediate Release

Read our latest Newsletter

Friday, August 4th, 2023

This newsletter includes advocacy updates during the Legislative Interim Session, Requests for Proposals, information about upcoming events, and COVID-19 resources. You will also find information about webinars, reports and resources from local, state, and national organizations.


COVID-19 Update!

Get the latest information about the status of COVID-19 in NM: COVID cases, vaccinations, booster shots, and testing.


Eviction Prevention & Diversion Program in the SE Region

Friday, August 11th, 2023

This Federally funded program is no longer available. If you need to contact the New Mexico Department of Finance & Administration to check on a submitted rental assistance application or appeal, you can try 1-833-485-1334 or DFARental.Programs@state.nm.us


Better Together Grant Opportunity

The Dept. of Health is now receiving grant applications for Better Together grants to support vaccination outreach efforts in New Mexico. Nonprofit and public organizations are invited to propose creative ways to engage community partners and raise vaccination rates in their communities. Applicants can focus on providing information and/or helping community members access COVID vaccination events.

Applications will be accepted from February 21 to midnight on March 31st. Grants of up to $200,000 for either one or two years will be awarded.

The Alliance held an informational session on this grant opportunity on February, 25th 2022. Access the summary of this meeting or the recording.


Share your input on New Mexico Public Health Infrastructure.

Friday, February 18th, 2022

The House Memorial 2 Legislative Taskforce is currently working to create a set of recommendations for improving public health infrastructure, as set out in 2021's House Memorial 2. Read more about House Memorial 2 here. Health councils are a crucial piece of public health infrastructure, and our Executive Director, Sharon Finarelli, is on the taskforce. If you would like to provide feedback or suggestions, get more information about the taskforce, or be invited to observe taskforce meetings, contact Sharon at sharon@nmhealthcouncils.org.


Read about Health Council Work in the Latest NM In-Depth Article

This article from discusses the importance of NM health councils and their crucial role in supporting public health at the local level, and includes quotes from our Executive Director, Sharon Finarelli, and our Tribal Liaison, Gerilyn Antonio.


Weekly Vaccinations in Moriarty - and a First in the Village of Encino

Torrance County faces a number of COVID-19 challenges. The County is sparsely populated, with a relatively older population. Fewer than half (45.5%) are fully vaccinated.  To meet this challenge, the Partnership for a Healthy Torrance Community is part of a community-wide partnership to make vaccinations in Moriarty a weekly Wednesday event. The Mayor, staff from the school district, public health, National Guard, County Road Crew, and the Crisis Response Team, along with many volunteers, make this event possible. The Partnership assists with advertising and working each event, along with providing wheelchairs. The community partnership also held a vaccination event in the Village of Encino, the first visit in six years to offer any vaccines or other healthcare.


NM Alliance of Health Councils Statewide Conference

Thanks to all who made our first statewide conference a success! Special thanks to the health councils who shared their remarkable stories of community engagement and to our legislative panel members who expressed their support for community and tribal health councils and our critical role in ensuring equitable health access and outcomes. You can take a look at the highlights here, and access a recording of the afternoon legislative session here. See you next year!


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