In 2018, the New Mexico Health Equity Partnership (HEP), an initiative at the Santa Fe Community Foundation, will continue to invest in communities most directly impacted by health inequities, we will work with partners to build movement to ensure every New Mexican can lead a healthy life, live in neighborhoods where our children and families can thrive, and have a say in the decisions that impact their communities and their lives.
HEP is excited to have begun 2018 by collaborating with Chainbreaker and other community partners on the Edge of Equity series. Please join us for two more conversations and help increase Santa Fean’s policy literacy about equity.
The Edge of Equity - Health without Displacement panel video
In this newsletter, we share several events like the Edge of Equity Series where you can get involved to advance equity. Additionally, we announce our capacity building resource pool for organizations working to improve the lives of men and boys of color in Albuquerque and surrounding Native communities. We also share Somos Un Pueblo Unido, other workers' rights organizations, and workers' victory on an unprecedented settlement agreement in a lawsuit against the Department of Workforce Solutions for failing to enforce our anti-wage theft law.
We look forward to building on this momentum and invite you to get involved by participating in an upcoming event, joining HEP as a network member, or donating to support the partnership’s efforts here.
Policy & Advocacy
Jose “Pancho” Olivas, lead plaintiff in lawsuit and member of Somos Gallup, speaks at press conference announcing settlement agreement.
Jose “Pancho” Olivas, lead plaintiff in lawsuit and member of Somos Gallup, interviews at press conference announcing settlement agreement.
Health care workers from Somos Gallup, Janice Peterson, Francine Boyd and Madeline Cadman after filing wage theft complaints at the Department of Workforce Connections office in Gallup, NM.
Victory for workers after settlement in lawsuit against Department of Workforce Solutions announced
Last month, Somos Un Pueblo Unido, and other workers' rights organizations, announced an unprecedented settlement agreement in a lawsuit against the Department of Workforce Solutions (DWS) for failing to enforce our anti-wage theft law. Now the state agency must step up and level the playing field for working families by ensuring that victims of wage theft, especially those in rural communities, have access to a fair process to address their complaints.
Wage theft occurs when employers don't pay overtime, require their employees to work off the clock, pay less than the local minimum wage or deny last paychecks.
The class action settlement agreement is the result of years of work by Somos members and our partners who advocated for the passage of a 2009 law imposing stronger anti-wage theft protections, and who filed a 2017 lawsuit to require DWS to enforce those protections.
Workers sued the state agency for unlawfully imposing a $10,000 cap on wage theft claims and not investigating claims that go back more than one year, among a number of such practices that prevented workers from recovering their unpaid wages.
"I am very proud to have joined other workers in this lawsuit to ensure that our government is doing its job and working for the people of our state," said Jose "Pancho" Olivas, a member of Somos Gallup, Somos Un Pueblo Unido's affiliate in McKinley County and lead plaintiff in the complaint. Because of this settlement, workers like me will now be able to move forward with their complaints and have a fair shot at recuperating their stolen wages."
The day after workers from across the state announced the settlement in Santa Fe, three courageous health care workers in Gallup filed wage theft claims with DWS collectively claiming thousands in stolen wages. The claims were the first to be filed in the state after the settlement was announced. All three claims would have not been investigated by DWS prior to the settlement.
"Wage theft cuts even deeper here in Gallup," said Francine Boyd, and member of the Navajo Nation who claims Amazing Grace, a health care service provider, failed to pay thousands in overtime pay. Workers need every single dollar to support their families, and in places like McKinley county, we can't afford to lose one cent."
Early last year, the McKinley Worker Justice Coalition, a group comprised of Somos Gallup, the NM Social Justice and Equity Institute and the McKinley Community Health Alliance, released a report on the impact of wage theft and other employment violations on the economic security and health of Native American and Latino immigrant workers in Gallup. Among some key findings, the report highlighted the pervasive nature of wage theft and other employment violations in McKinley County. 70% of the 50 workers surveyed reported experiencing some form of pay related employment violation.
Under the settlement agreement, many workers who were rejected by DWS can re-file their complaints. A notice explaining how workers can seek a re-investigation will be available on the DWS website. The agency also agreed to end the practices challenged in the lawsuit.
Members of Somos Gallup meeting to support health care workers as they file wage theft complaints at the Department of Workforce Connections office in Gallup, NM.
Capacity Building
Boys and Men of Color Capacity Building Grants
HEP is excited to announce that we are a recipient of the 2017 RISE for Boys and Men of Color Capacity Building Award. RISE for Boys and Men of Color is a field advancement effort that aims to better understand and strategically improve the lives, experiences and outcomes of boys and men of color in the United States. RISE spans five fields (education, health, human services and social policy, juvenile and criminal justice, and workforce development) and focuses on four populations (Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, Blacks, Latinos, and Native Americans). As a recipient of this award, in 2018 HEP will distribute a “capacity building resource” pool up to $40,000 to grassroots organizations in Albuquerque and in surrounding indigenous communities between March 1, 2018 and October 31, 2018. Five to eight small grants will be awarded between the amounts of $4,000 – $7,500. To learn more about this funding opportunity, please view the application here.
Partner Capacity Building Opportunities and Events
Santa Fe Community Foundation - The HEP’s institutional home, the Santa Fe Community Foundation (SFCF), is committed to supporting nonprofits in achieving their missions with excellence. The SFCF’s Philanthropy HUB has been designed as a learning and gathering place for the philanthropic sector. The HUB's programs strive to: 1) deepen philanthropic practice; 2) build nonprofit capacity; 3) provide support for professional advisers; and 4) provide platforms for learning about social issues in community. Upcoming trainings and presentations include:
SFCF Grants: Pre-Proposal Info Session, Spring Grant Cycle
An optional info session for applicants to the spring grant cycle addressing Educational Success and Career Pathways or Sustainable Agriculture and Stewardship of Resources
Monday, February 12, 2018 at 2:00 PM
If you are a HEP network member and you have an upcoming training, workshop, or other capacity building opportunity open to community members and organizations, please send information about it to David Gaussoin and the HEP team can include it an upcoming newsletter.
The Edge of Equity
In 2015, the HEP partnered with Chainbreaker on a Health Impact Assessment, titled Equitable Development and Risk of Displacement: Profiles of Four Santa Fe Neighborhoods.
Santa Fe is facing a housing and equity crisis. Our high cost of living is forcing many people to move further to the outskirts of the city, often to areas that lack essential services and amenities. This can lead to car dependence, contributing to climate change and perpetuating a cycle of poverty. As Santa Fe continues along this path, we're becoming increasingly segregated and divided, leaving many Santa Feans feeling we must choose between disinvestment and displacement.
But Santa Fe is better than that!
Join us for community conversations every other Tuesday in February to explore the roots of these problems and find solutions together.
NewMexicoWomen.Org is Celebrating Our 5th Anniversary
Standing Fierce for Five!
Women at the Heart of Gender Justice in New Mexico
With Special Guest:
Maria Hinojosa
Host and Executive Producer of NPR’s Latino USA
President and Founder of The Futuro Media Group
Tuesday, February 27, 2018
5:30pm – 7:30pm at SITE Santa Fe
This event is free, but space is limited. Click here to RSVP.
We would like to congratulate our colleague, Katherine Ortega Courtney on her recently published book regarding the prevention of childhood trauma and maltreatment. You can learn more about the book here and purchase it here. Katherine is the Director of Collective Impact Initiatives with the Santa Fe Community Foundation and serves as an advocate for strengthening continuous quality improvement throughout all sectors that impact children, youth and families.
Tewa Women United - Job Posting:
Training & Events Coordinator
The Training and Events Coordinator helps to advance the Tewa Women United mission by supporting the work of the Indigenous Women's Health and Reproductive Justice Program (IWH). This position reports to the IWH Program Manager and is specifically responsible for IWH trainings and events. The Training and Events Coordinator provides broad support for IWH events, including event logistics. IWH key events include the monthly Parents Circles; quarterly Childbirth Education Classes; Pregnancy and Infant Loss Support Circles; community trainings, as well as our upcoming YVK Doula Training and Certification Program. The Training and Events Coordinator must have excellent verbal and written communications skills and a deep understanding of working with communities in Northern New Mexico. This is a part-time position (20 hours/wk) and supporting specific events will require a flexible work schedule. $16.00/hr
Training and Events Coordination Responsibilities:
Work closely with IWH Program Manager and staff to plan and implement all IWH Program staff and community events
Logistically prepare for all aspects of events prior to the event, including on-site management, and post-event follow-up
Be present during IWH program events to assist with logistics, registration and arrangements.
Order/purchase/prepare refreshments, supplies and educational materials as needed
Communicate volunteer needs for events and collaborate with the IWH Program Manager and YVK Doula Project Coordinator
With IWH Program Manager, design and develop marketing materials for IWH events in an engaging and compelling way that provides all necessary information and entices participation
Ensure promotional materials reach community through local advertisement and social media outreach
YVK Doula Training & Certification Program:
Coordination of the YVK Doula Training and Certification Program's continued development, facilitation, implementation, and evaluation processes.
Promotion of Doula Training through local advertisement and social media outreach
Assist in admission process for Doula Training and respond to all student information requests.
Maintain participant, instructor, and presenter profile information in database.
Logistically prepare for all aspects of doula trainings prior to the event, including on-site management, and post-event follow-up
Order/purchase/prepare refreshments, supplies and educational materials as needed for doula training.
Be present during all YVK Doula Training events.
Work closely with YVK Doula Project Coordinator to coordinate client referral, intake and match process for the YVK Doula Training Certification process.
Observe and maintain record of student progress and assist students in Doula Certification process after Doula training.
Other Responsibilities & Requirements:
Weekend and occasional evening hours required, necessitating a flexible schedule.
Attend and participate as a team member in staff meetings, seminars, community meetings and training sessions
Complete quarterly and annual reports to the IWH Program as required
Complete and present various training reports as required
Commitment to anti-oppression and de-colonization work with a focus on racial equity and reproductive justice, specific to birth justice
Perform other duties, as required, assigned by IWH Program Manager
Characteristics Required:
Maintain a positive and welcoming attitude
Provide service above and beyond what participants anticipate
Be compassionate while maintaining clear boundaries
Be an active, contributing member of the TWU Team
Respect and understand of the differences between positions
Be willing to pitch in and help in areas that do not fall directly within your position's responsibilities
Commitment to anti-oppression and de-colonization work with a focus on racial equity and reproductive justice, specific to birth justice
Qualifications:
High school diploma/GED required (Bachelor's degree preferred)
2+ years of events, nonprofit or related experience
Excellent written and verbal skills
Ability to build and foster relationships with individuals with a variety of ages, backgrounds and experiences
Ability to multi-task successfully
Excellent computer skills, specifically with Google, FileMaker and Microsoft Office products
Knowledge of social media and related strategies
Attitude of continual improvement
Experience in and aptitude for effectively working with volunteers
New Mexico Health Equity Partnership – Generously supported by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the Santa Fe Community Foundation, the Community Foundation of Southern NM, and RISE Boys & Men of Color for more information, please visit nmhep.org
Our mailing address is:
P.O. Box 1827, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504-1827
