|
Children participating in school meal programs are less likely to have nutrient inadequacies and more likely to consume fruit, vegetables and milk. In fact, for many students school meals are the healthiest meal they have all day. This not only helps to improve long-term health, but also closes gaps in educational achievement. Children experiencing food insecurity are more likely to miss school and struggle with tests. They struggle socially and emotionally. Hunger creates an obstacle to success. That’s why Colorado’s Healthy School Meals for All program is so critical.
Colorado’s Healthy School Meals for All program helps schools provide more than 600,000 meals each day and makes a big difference for kids in our state, including students in Archuleta County. The Archuleta School District saw a 40% increase in students eating meals at school when the program began in the 2023-2024 school year and students are continuing to participate in the program this school year as well. According to Healthy Archuleta’s 2024 Community Survey (representative sample) 73% of residents reported high food prices to be a major/minor challenge in getting enough of the food they need and want. Additionally, 35% of residents reported being worried about not being able to afford enough food to feed themselves and their families over the next year. This finding further highlights the need to bring access to free breakfast and lunch for all students in our community. In order to continue providing these vital meals to our families, we invite our community to learn about House Bill 25-1274. This bill aims to advance the program, ensure its sustainability as it expands, and facilitate initiatives like purchasing food from Colorado farmers and ranchers, bolstering our local food system. Every dollar spent locally for school food adds $1.86 to the economy, and every job created by a district’s purchasing results in an overall increase of 2.43 jobs according to a recent report. This brings money into our communities. Additionally, participating in Health School Meals for All saves families up to $1,300 per child per year. By continuing to support Healthy School Meals for All Colorado communities are investing in the health, education, and future of our children and strengthening our local economy. This isn't just about meals; it's about building a thriving, secure community for everyone. Communication plays a vital role in accessing and receiving healthcare. A recent Mental and Behavioral Health Landscape Assessment conducted by Healthy Archuleta highlighted the importance of training primary care providers in integrated and culturally competent care. The assessment also underscored the importance of improving mental and behavioral health literacy within Spanish-speaking and Hispanic/Latino households. In response to these findings, Healthy Archuleta collaborated with expert professionals to bring essential resources to the community.
In April, a two-day training initiative was launched, targeting both healthcare providers and Spanish-speaking families. These sessions aimed to advance culturally competent care practices and foster open conversations about mental health within Spanish-speaking communities. The training for healthcare providers focused on developing culturally competent practices in both primary and behavioral healthcare settings. It emphasized the significance of cultural competency, the necessary values and skills required including the importance of curiosity, and utilized case studies to facilitate group discussions. A key element of the training was the focus on provider-patient communication. It recognized that communication can either reinforce or challenge an individual's beliefs and values, subsequently influencing patient satisfaction, adherence to recommendations, and overall health outcomes. One specific case study highlighted a patient with a family history of stroke seeking preventative care. This patient had previously experienced a medical visit where assumptions were made based on their name and perceived background. The healthcare provider had assumed the patient spoke Spanish and had certain dietary habits without asking any preliminary questions. This experience illustrated how stereotypes can lead to misunderstandings and damage the patient-provider relationship, particularly when cultural differences are present. Such interactions can deter individuals from diverse backgrounds from seeking necessary medical care. When healthcare providers make assumptions based on a patient's ethnicity, race, or name, they risk undermining the quality of care. Ultimately, healthcare providers are focused on achieving positive health outcomes, helping patients manage or overcome disease, and improving their overall well-being. Patient satisfaction is a crucial first step in this process, leading to adherence to recommendations and the realization of the provider's envisioned outcomes. Therefore, the primary objective of these training sessions, both current and future, is to enhance communication between healthcare providers and community members. Improved communication is essential for ensuring access to primary, preventive, and mental/behavioral healthcare, enhancing patient satisfaction, promoting adherence to treatment plans that respect individual backgrounds and values, and ultimately achieving better health outcomes for a healthier community. Healthy Archuleta looks forward to further collaborations with local healthcare and mental/behavioral health providers, the community, and experienced professionals, such as Drs. Canaca, whose expertise lies in serving diverse populations in rural settings, including Native American, Hispanic/Latino, and immigrant communities. Do you enjoy gardening? Do you like to talk about gardening? Are you a plant geek? Come join Healthy Archuleta’s growing guru at the Pagosa Springs Community Garden starting this coming May. Last year’s Garden Conversation meet-ups were not only fun but also educational and enlightening, with lots of “Oh wow! That’s a great idea!” kind of talk. The Pagosa Springs Community Garden is a local community garden maintained by some of your neighbors, located right along the River Walk on the San Juan River (right next to the GGP domes). It is free and open to the public to visit every day.
So, plan to join us this lovely mid-spring season, starting with our first gathering on Saturday, May 17th, from 9 - 10 a.m. Yes, it’s only for an hour, but feel free to stay longer and just enjoy being outdoors, listening to the sounds of the San Juan River flowing nearby. Bring a folding chair, a favorite morning beverage, and even a snack if you like. Sometimes, someone in the group goes a little crazy and brings freshly baked coffee cake! Yum! Nice way to start a weekend, right? Future dates for the Garden Conversations are every other Saturday morning, May 24, June 14 and 28, July 12 and 26, August 9 and 23, and September 13 and 27. For more information on gardening-related activities in the Pagosa Springs area, please visit the Healthy Archuleta website and check out the calendar of events: https://www.foodcoalition4archuleta.org/events--happenings.html Can’t wait until May 17th to start talking about gardening? There are still a few spots open in our 5-week Seed to Supper Garden Education Course starting Wednesday, April 23rd. These sessions take place on Wednesday evenings from 5-7 pm and will be hosted at the local community gardens. To learn more about the Pagosa Springs Community Garden, contact: [email protected]. They also have an Instagram page: @Pagosagardens or https://www.instagram.com/pagosagardens/ Interested in learning about gardening and growing fresh vegetables? Healthy Archuleta is offering a series of classes that will focus on gardening basics. The classes are being offered starting Wednesday, April 23, from 5:00 - 7:00 pm and will continue for the following four Wednesdays, April 30, May 7, 14, and 21. Vista Lake Community Garden and Pagosa Springs Community Garden have both graciously offered to provide space in their beds so that class participants can get some hands-on experience in what it takes to start a vegetable garden. The classes will cover basic knowledge about soil, how and when to start seeds, pest and disease control, and proper irrigation. Registration is open now and spots are limited.
Gardening in Pagosa Springs presents some challenges when it comes to maintaining vegetable gardens. Weather, wildlife, and access to water all play roles in how successful a growing season will turn out. With the short growing season of approximately ninety days, the amount of time needed to get seeds and start out into garden beds in time can have everyone watching the calendar. However, the limited growing season can be extended by a few more weeks with a little creativity. With access to a greenhouse, a grow dome, or even a high tunnel, growing vegetables is possible as early as April and as late as October, given the right conditions. Most vegetables will grow and mature anywhere from 45 days to 65 days; this is true of most greens, once seeds have germinated. Long-season crops such as tomatoes, squash, or peppers will begin producing within 65 to 90 days; these fall within that three-month peak temperature range, that prime time to get the most out of what grows in the ground. However, aside from the mechanics of vegetable gardening, there are other important aspects of gardening. Gardening is good for our health for a number of reasons. Usually, exercise is at the top of that list, and it’s true, being outdoors and getting a dose of Vitamin D is definitely beneficial, and it can be a good boost to our mental health. There are also the economic benefits of growing fresh fruits and vegetables in home gardens. Given the price of groceries today, growing something as easy as potatoes or onions can make a difference in our pocketbook over a season. Gardening is also a way to meet our neighbors and make connections in the community. Now is a great time to learn how to garden and start growing some of your own food, connect with some fellow gardeners, and spend some time outside in the garden. Register now to participate in the upcoming Seed to Supper garden course or visit Healthy Archuleta’s calendar of events and look under the garden course at https://www.foodcoalition4archuleta.org/events--happenings.html. Spots are limited, so register today! You can also keep up to date by following Healthy Archuleta on our Facebook and Instagram social media sites. Healthy Archuleta, a non-profit based in Pagosa Springs, Colorado, is all about empowering the community and working to make sure everyone has access to healthy food and healthcare. We’re all about learning and growing together to create a thriving environment for health and well-being. Our mission has been made possible by the incredible volunteers who’ve been with us through thick and thin, supporting our ongoing projects. But we’re always on the lookout for passionate and organized folks to join our team. We’re currently seeking a Volunteer Coordinator to help us make a real difference. This is an unpaid volunteer role that’ll take around 3-5 hours a week. As our Volunteer Coordinator, you’ll be the heart and soul of our volunteer program, making sure everyone feels engaged and valued. Your primary role is to collaborate with our team to help recruit, interview, offer training, and supervise volunteers. You’ll also be the main point of contact for our team, helping us identify volunteer needs and match them with the right opportunities. You’ll be responsible for organizing volunteer recognition and appreciation events, and you’ll help us develop and maintain volunteer guidelines and procedures. We’re looking for someone who’s organized, communicative, and passionate about making a difference in our community. This is a great opportunity to contribute to building a community where everyone has the chance to contribute and benefit from healthy eating and overall well-being. If you’re interested in joining our team, please reach out to Healthy Archuleta at [email protected]. To learn more about our work and activities, please check out our website at https://www.foodcoalition4archuleta.org/. Together, we can make our community healthier and more vibrant!
Healthy communities require collaboration between healthcare providers and the community, recognizing diverse perspectives and cultural backgrounds. Ongoing intercultural development, self-reflection, and understanding cultural contexts are essential. Archuleta County’s rich culture, especially Hispanic and Latino communities, benefits from this approach.
Cultural humility sees each patient as unique, shaped by experiences like heritage, migration, socioeconomic status, and family. Active listening, valuing cultural knowledge, and collaborative relationships honor traditions. This builds trust, reduces disparities, and improves care quality for Latino individuals with mental health challenges. Addressing mental health stigma in the Hispanic and Latino community encourages open discussion and seeking help. Psychiatrist Dr. Jose Canaca, a Board-Certified Psychiatrist and Associate Professor at the University of New Mexico, will visit Pagosa Springs this April for mental health literacy and cultural competency training for healthcare providers. Dr. Canaca has extensive experience working in rural communities in Latin America and New Mexico, serving vulnerable populations like Native Americans, Hispanic/Latino communities, and immigrants. He leads cultural psychiatry lectures at UNM and has collaborated with COMISCA. The training will take place on Monday, April 7th at 5 pm, and 2 hours of CME credits will be offered to healthcare professional attendees who maintain CME along with dinner. Space is limited. If you are a healthcare professional and interested in attending, please RSVP to [email protected] by Thursday, April 3rd to confirm your spot. The Archuleta County Public Health Department is raising awareness about the dangers of tobacco and nicotine use. Recently, Lacy Capre from the Archuleta County Public Health Department gave a presentation to the Healthy Archuleta team members on the history, evolution, health impacts, and current marketing of tobacco products.
Today's tobacco products include combustible products (cigarettes, cigars), dissolvables (chew, packets), electronic nicotine products (vapes), and heated tobacco delivery products. These products vary in nicotine levels, with vapes (up to 50 mg/ml of nicotine) and pouches (up to 14 mg of nicotine) delivering significantly more nicotine than cigarettes (1.5 - 3mg). Commercial tobacco products are designed to be highly addictive and pose various health risks, including cancer and COPD. Contrary to some beliefs, vapes, and pouches do not help reduce nicotine addiction; they increase it. All tobacco products are legally available in Colorado for those 21 and older, but many are marketed to attract younger consumers, including on social media. By becoming aware of the dangers of commercial tobacco products, especially to our youth, we can help educate our families, friends, and our community to understand how the use of tobacco products adversely affects our health. To combat tobacco addiction, resources like the Colorado Quitline https://www.coquitline.org/en-US (for ages 15+), Baby & Me Tobacco Free https://babyandmetobaccofree.org/ (for pregnant women), My Life My Quit www.mylifemyquit.com (for ages 12-17), and the American Indian Commercial Tobacco Program https://wy-americanindian.quitlogix.org/en-us/ are available. Community support is encouraged through participation in Take Down Tobacco Day on April 1st, with a tobacco-free walk being planned in Archuleta County. For more information, please contact the Archuleta County Public Health Department. Are you interested in local food production? If so, before you go any further, put this date on your calendar – the next Growers & Producers Forum is on March 24th from 4-5:30 at the Library. The presentation, Strategies for Growing Food at Altitude – Greenhouse and Beyond is by Chris Frederics of Terra Walk Farm. Chris has years of experience behind him and we will come away with many new learnings about growing; that is one purpose of the Growers & Producers Forum; there are others.
The Forum also encourages networking and the sharing of opportunities and challenges. Creating a vital local food system in our area will take significant individual effort as well as community support. The Forum also welcomes the inexperienced or the frustrated grower/producer, folks who face obstacles on the way to achieving their dreams. Should you know someone who fits that description, invite them to come along. Meanwhile, hope to see you at the Forum on Monday the 24th! Healthy Archuleta is also seeking community input into the development of a food hub and wants to hear from you. Way back in 2017, before Healthy Archuleta came into being, we heard mention of a food hub during our gatherings to talk about healthy local food. Later, Healthy Archuleta created the Food Distribution Center to collect, store, and distribute food for the seven food pantries. But we realized that was only part of the story of a food hub. In fact, we understand that a food hub can be many things, and it is up to the community to decide what exactly it should be for them. Healthy Archuleta has developed a questionnaire to learn from the community about how they could use a community food hub. To share your voice, please take a few minutes to complete the questionnaire and let us know what you would find valuable in our community. From that, Healthy Archuleta will create a vision for the future and work to find funding to realize that vision. The Food Hub Questionnaire can be completed at https://bit.ly/4kvT2jL. Primary care is the backbone of community health. It’s all about prevention, wellness check-ups, and treating common illnesses. Your regular doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider is your primary care buddy. They’re the ones who catch health issues we might miss, notice subtle changes, and ask, “How are you really doing?” They know us well and can tell when something’s off.Archuleta County has a variety of options for primary care. If you already have a provider, an annual wellness visit is a great way to review your health and wellness, make sure you’re up to date on screenings, and chat about your health goals.If you don’t have a provider yet, there are several healthcare organizations that can help you find one. Setting up an annual wellness visit with your new provider is a great way to build a relationship and learn more about your health and wellness. Want to boost your health and well-being? Check out the annual Health Fair & Expo in October! It’s a great place to get affordable wellness tests, connect with your primary care provider, and learn more about health and wellness.
Now’s the perfect time to schedule your annual wellness check-up, chat with your doctor, and set the stage for a healthy year ahead. For more info on primary care in Archuleta County, visit Healthy Archuleta’s website at https://www.foodcoalition4archuleta.org/primary-health-care-access.html. On Saturday February 22 community members and visitors came together to support our neighbors who access food through the Food Pantry Network during one of Healthy Archuleta’s quarterly food drives hosted at City Market. Over 525 items were donated during the food drive and distributed among the seven food pantries in Archuleta County. Volunteers from the local food pantries supported the event to hand out shopping lists and collect the requested items for donation. Thank you to everyone who came out to support our neighbors during this food drive. If you missed the food drive, non-perishable items can be donated at any time at Healthy Archuleta’s donation bin located at the UPS Store, 135 Country Center Dr, Suite F.
In addition to supporting our neighbors accessing food at food pantries through quarterly food drives, Healthy Archuleta is also working to support the next generation of local food system champions by engaging with high school students. This semester Healthy Archuleta is engaging youth through two highschool classes, where students have the opportunity to learn about the local food system from, growing and producing food to eating nutritious foods and all the elements in between. Each week, students are participating in interactive discussions, learning from guest speakers, and engaging in hands-on activities. Some examples of the food system activities the students are participating in include a session on nutrition and learning how to read food labels, followed by a scavenger hunt at Natural Grocers to put the lessons into practice and visiting Healthy Archulet’s Food Distribution Center to learn about hydroponic food production and see the grow towers in action. Healthy Archuleta is committed to advancing a local sustainable and resilient food system that all community members can contribute to and benefit from. Community events, such as food drives, working with youth, and sharing the importance of health and local foods are just some of the ways Healthy Archuleta is working in the local food system. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. Archives
June 2025
Categories |
RSS Feed