June 6, 2007 Extension Update

Dear Extension Faculty and Staff:  

We just received word this week that NMSU Cooperative Extension was awarded $1.8 million to provide Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and Food Stamp Employment and training programs for the northern NM counties of McKinley, San Juan, Cibola, Colfax, Los Alamos, Mora, Rio Arriba, San Miguel, Santa Fe, and Taos.  Services will begin July 1, 2007 for one year.  The program will be called NM WORKS Northern under the direction of Carolyn Vander Giesen, with offices located in each of the designated counties. Congratulations to everyone who worked on this proposal.  

Some of you may have heard recently (see attached letter), that our REDTT program will be closing its doors August 17, 2007 after fifteen years of successful work. Program coordinators are working hard to find additional funding.  However, if that doesn’t happen, the program with its dynamic personnel will be forced to close the doors. Under Dora Dominquez’s leadership, Nancy Cordero, Debbie Franzoy, George Pintar, Allison Southworth and Pat McConnell have been working hard during their employment. We are encouraging each of them to keep their eyes open for other Extension positions they might apply to. The good news is that Extension is planning to submit a legislative initiative to request funding for REDTT in the next legislative session. Unfortunately, if approved, the dollars won’t be available until July 1, 2008 at the earliest. Never-the-less, a big thank you goes to Allison (employed with REDTT since its inception), Dora, Nancy, Debbie, George, and Pat for all you’ve accomplished!  

On the county front, Paula Roybal Sanchez, Extension Home Economist, Los Alamos Co., reports that “We just completed our 9th class of StrongWomen (strength training for Women over 50) at the end of April and began our 10th class this month.” Thus far Los Alamos has had 250 women complete the program and another 25 are just starting.  In addition, this Spring, Paula offered a "Men Growing Stronger" strength training program for men over 60.  They started with 22 participants and plan on offering another class beginning in late August.  Paula would welcome questions from others about how to get the same program started in your county if the interest is there. Good idea, Paula!  

As I mentioned in last week’s Update, I will be on annual leave until Thursday, June 14th attending my daughter’s college graduation in Seattle. Feel free to contact Bea Garrett, 646-3015 if you need something.    

Paul