Local Government Coordinating Commission Meeting – December 18, 2024

The Local Government Coordinating Commission (LGCC) met on December 18, 2024, to discuss opioid settlement fund allocations, receive a presentation from the Grief Center, and continue planning for the use of Vital Strategies recommendations. The meeting included updates from a subcommittee, presentations from city and county staff on proposed programs, and a presentation from a local napropathic medicine university. A subcommittee meeting was scheduled for January 16, 2025, to finalize recommendations for the full LGCC on February 20, 2025.

Consent Calendar

• The minutes of the October 24, 2024 meeting were approved unanimously by voice vote (all present members voted yes).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Anami Das (via Zoom) expressed support for staying as close as possible to the Vital Strategies recommendations and reiterated support for OPCs (overdose prevention centers).
• Representative Rick Miera introduced Dr. Patrick Museo and Dr. Joseph Fraley from the Southwest University of Napropathic Medicine. They presented a proposal called "Veterans Healing Veterans" to use opioid settlement funds to provide drug-free pain management for veterans, including a research clinic and nutrition program. They requested $3.5 million over three years.

Grief Center Presentation

• Ms. Garrison (Grief Center) presented an overview of the organization, which provides free grief support services to children and adults. Key statistics: 1 in 7 children in New Mexico experience the death of a parent or sibling (second highest in the nation); the center served over 600 participants last year, currently has 376 participants in 32 groups, and over 100 on a waiting list. All services are free, funded by grants and donations. The center also trains bereavement facilitators and offers professional development. Commissioners expressed strong support and asked clarifying questions about the name change (from Children's Grief Center to Grief Center) and the fee structure (no fees, no insurance required).

Discussion Items

• Subcommittee Update and Presentations on Opioid Settlement Fund Proposals
  • Chair Rogers reported that a subcommittee has been meeting to review Vital Strategies' 28 recommendations and prioritize spending. The goal is to bring a comprehensive proposal to the full LGCC by February 20, 2025.
  • J.R. Rayleigh (City of Albuquerque) and Dr. Lindstrom (Bernalillo County) presented a joint memorandum highlighting existing collaborations (mobile crisis teams, crisis triage center, Gateway Center, medical sobering, micro-community) and proposed new initiatives using opioid settlement funds. Key proposals include:
    • Recommendation 19 (Naloxone Access): Expanding street medicine teams (from 1 half-team to 4 full teams), acquiring 48 naloxone vending machines (county) and 25 vending machines (city), and equipping all responder vehicles with naloxone.
    • Recommendation 15 (Sobering Center): Integrating medical sobering with medication-assisted treatment (MAT), peer support, and wraparound services.
    • Recommendation 23 (Community-Based Treatment): Expanding withdrawal management, medical respite, and a pilot community-oriented recovery program modeled after the DD waiver. Also, expanding EMS buprenorphine inductions ("golden opportunity").
    • Recommendation 13 (Mobile Crisis Teams): Developing a youth mobile response and stabilization service (MRSS) with 4-3 teams providing 24/7 coverage, in partnership with CYFD and providers.
    • Care Coordination: Implementing a closed-loop referral system (UNITUS) and integrating health information exchange for behavioral health providers.
    • Recommendation 25 (Recovery Housing): Expanding housing vouchers, rental assistance, and eviction prevention (city) and building a second tiny home village (county) – $5 million capital, $1.5 million annual operation. An eviction prevention and intervention program was also proposed.
    • Recommendation 27 (Peer Support): Expanding peer support roles across city departments and establishing a "Peer Empowerment Center" (county) to recruit, train, and place peer support workers.
    • Recommendation 16 (Comprehensive Education): Multi-departmental education initiative involving youth, families, and professionals, including restorative justice expansion, prevention curricula, and the "Keep NM Alive" campaign.
    • Recommendation 17 (Connecting Disconnected Youth): Expanding school-based violence intervention, workforce development via Economic Development Department, and supporting youth aging out of foster care.
  • Commissioner Questions and Discussion:
    • Councillor Grout asked about sustainability of housing vouchers and expressed concern about long-term funding for ongoing programs; J.R. Rayleigh noted that a sustainability plan will be part of the implementation plan, including Medicaid billing and grant matching. He also stated that the city administration does not support placing funds in an endowment.
    • Commissioner Olivas requested clearer breakdown of one-time vs. recurring costs and asked for more details on the Keep NM Alive campaign (Commissioner Barboa clarified it is a website with resources).
    • Commissioner Barboa asked about transportation coordination and youth mobile crisis teams; Dr. Lindstrom explained the MRSS model and noted that transportation is a complex issue requiring a working group.
    • APS board members (Jackson and Benavides) stated they were not prepared to provide a list of existing substance abuse programs in APS, as requested in prior subcommittee meetings. Chair Rogers acknowledged the need for better follow-up and committed to sending to-do lists after meetings. APS will provide the list before the next subcommittee meeting.
    • Dr. Lindstrom proposed setting aside a percentage of funds into an endowment for long-term sustainability; this was supported by some but not by city administration.
  • Financial Discrepancy: The chair noted that the amounts received and available for use differ between the staff verbal report and the written report from October 10, 2024. J.R. Rayleigh agreed to provide a written breakdown of city and county receipts and balances.

Key Outcomes

• The October 24, 2024 meeting minutes were unanimously approved.
• The next LGCC subcommittee meeting will be held on January 16, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall Committee Room (9th floor), with Zoom option, to finalize the proposed work plan for opioid settlement funds.
• APS board members will provide a list of existing substance abuse programs in APS at the January 16 subcommittee meeting.
• City and county staff will provide a written summary of the financial breakdown (amounts received and available) and a more detailed breakdown of one-time vs. recurring costs for each proposal.
• The full LGCC will meet on February 20, 2025 at 5 p.m. to vote on the final recommendations. At that meeting, presentations will also be given by Keep NM Alive, Goldfinch, and the New Mexico Harm Reduction Collaborative.
• The commission expressed general support for moving forward with a refined plan and acknowledged the need for more coordination with APS and careful consideration of sustainability.