News

First Binational Mental Health Conference offered positive change for the region

March 29, 2023

Recently, individuals throughout the border region participated in a two-day binational conference in Ciudad Juárez and El Paso, Texas aimed at sharing the most recent research on best practices in health promotion and treatment of mental illness and substance use. In-depth discussions took place related to improving access to services and reducing the stigma associated with mental disorders to achieve positive change in mental health workers and the region.

The Paso del Norte Health Foundation and U.S.-Mexico Border Health Commission, along with more than 40 academic,…

Read More

Funders gathered to improve behavioral health opportunities

March 29, 2023

The Texas Behavioral Health Funders Collaborative (TBHFC) members gathered at the Paso del Norte Health Foundation offices this month for their semi-annual meeting to share best practices in behavioral health. The purpose of the TBHFC is to offer regular networking, information sharing and co-funding opportunities to promote high-impact behavioral health interventions, system improvements, or better behavioral health policy in Texas. Sessions featured the collaborative work of the El Paso Behavioral Health Consortium. Visitors included Amarillo Area Foundation, East Texas Medical Center…

Read More

Funding Opportunities under Mental Health & Emotional Well-being Initiative

March 3, 2023

The Paso del Norte Health Foundation seeks Letters of Intent (LOI) from eligible organizations under the Health Foundation’s Mental Health and Emotional Well-Being priority areas.

Behavioral Health Consortium Programs that address mental health and substance use system gaps by increasing coordination among regional behavioral health consortia stakeholders as informed by data. The Health Foundation will not consider proposed programs already covered by other resources to include government funding or by health coverage reimbursement.

Think.Change Initiative Programs that…

Read More

Health Foundation Vice President appointed to Kenedy Memorial Foundation Board of Directors

February 24, 2023

Congratulations to Marcela Garcia, Vice President of Finance and Operations for the Paso del Norte Health Foundation/Paso del Norte Community Foundation, on her recent appointment to the Board of Directors of the John G. and Marie Stella Kenedy Memorial Foundation. Located in Corpus Christi, Texas, the Kenedy Memorial Foundation’s mission is to support and fund mostly Catholic, educational, charitable, and religious activities, that includes the El Paso region.

Read More

Diabetes resources available in rural communities

February 23, 2023

Diabetes has no boundaries when it comes to the illness, yet access to information and services can present a challenge depending on where you live.

The Paso del Norte Health Foundation has partnered with Texas A&M University Colonias Program and their Project VyBE to help address diabetes at the community level by increasing self-sufficiency and enhancing the quality of life of residents in hard-to-reach areas throughout the region.

Project VyBE trains regional certified community health workers as diabetes education coaches and works to establish relationships with individuals…

Read More

New funding and schedule for REALIZE Board – Lunch & Learn

February 21, 2023

The Paso del Norte Health Foundation is pleased to announce funding of more than $150,000 to United Way of El Paso County to strengthen nonprofit board governance by offering REALIZE Board across El Paso and southern New Mexico.

REALIZE Board provides a variety of workshops, training, and summits to ensure the success of nonprofit organizations that serve the region’s communities. The curriculum includes courses with 1-hour modules focused on understanding board member roles and responsibilities as well as nonprofit board structures and fundraising.

Sessions are in person from 12…

Read More

Strengthening School Health Advisory Councils (SHACs)

February 21, 2023

Members of six El Paso school districts participated in an interactive workshop supported by the Paso del Norte Health Foundation to strengthen School Health Advisory Councils (SHAC). SHACs assist the school districts in ensuring that local community values are reflected in health education instruction. Additionally, SHACs play a significant role in strengthening the connection between health and learning. They help parents and community stakeholders reinforce the knowledge and skills children need to stay healthy. The Health Foundation invests in SHACs because of their potential to…

Read More

Mobile Crisis Response Team in Otero County recognized by the State of New Mexico

February 21, 2023

Congratulations to the Mobile Crisis Response Team (MCRT) in Otero County on being recognized as a model for the state of New Mexico in mental health and substance use systems and response to crisis. With funding from the Health Foundation, the MCRT has become an essential component of the Alamogordo Police Department in reducing unnecessary criminal justice system involvement among people with a mental illness or substance use disorder. This support has also allowed the City of Alamogordo to show the benefits of the MCRT and leverage resources to sustain the program.

In 2022, the MCRT…

Read More

Important Presentation on Behavioral Health Integration and Collaborative Care

February 21, 2023

The Integration Leadership Council of the El Paso Behavioral Health Consortium is pleased to present: Behavioral Health Integration and Collaborative Care.

Physicians, PAs, APRN, other primary care providers and administrators are invited to learn and engage with experts on Behavioral Health Integration (BHI) who are currently providing implementation support and technical assistance on the frontlines of health systems across the country.

Thursday, March 2, 2023
1:00 – 3:00 pm
Texas Tech University Health Sciences El Paso
Medical Education Building

Read More

Retirement after 24 years of service

February 21, 2023

It is with mixed emotions that we announce the retirement of Sylvia Soto on Friday, March 3rd.

Sylvia has been with the Paso del Norte Health Foundation and the Paso del Norte Community Foundation for 24 years as Director of Human Resources, Board Secretary and Executive Assistant. She has been an integral part of our team with countless contributions to our family of foundations. Her welcoming smile, hard work and dedication to helping others will forever be remembered and greatly missed. We wish Sylvia the best of luck in this next phase of her journey.

Read More