The New Mexico Injury Prevention Coalition

The goal of the New Mexico Injury Prevention Coalition (NMIPC) is to reduce the burden of injury in New Mexico through the development of a diverse coalition charged with reaching consensus on priority areas in injury prevention, promoting best practices and interventions, and improving resource sustainability. Instead of working in isolation, injury prevention professionals can find support, professional development opportunities, access to research and updates on funding opportunities through the Coalition.

The Coalition is guided by the goals and objectives of the NM Injury Prevention Strategic Plan 2008-2012, developed with funding from the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) and input from injury prevention professionals throughout the state. The strategic planning process was led by the Department of Health’s Office of Injury Prevention and facilitated by the University of New Mexico Prevention Research Center. The Strategic Plan focuses on increasing the capacity to prevent injuries in New Mexico through:

Increasing public awareness about injury prevention
Building the capacity of communities, especially underserved communities, to develop and implement effective injury prevention programs
Improving the quality, accessibility and timely dissemination of injury data, especially for underserved communities
Establishing permanent funding for injury prevention initiatives
Increasing collaboration within the injury prevention community to implement injury prevention strategies for New Mexicans
Developing an infrastructure for leading, coordinating, monitoring, and evaluating the implementation of the NM Injury Prevention Strategic Plan 2008-2012
Increasing the use of evidence-based injury prevention interventions
Increasing the priority level for injury prevention issues among policymakers

CREATING A STATEWIDE NETWORK

Injury prevention crosses many disciplines--community organizations, schools, advocacy groups, public safety, the faith community, city planning departments, parks and recreation departments, safety coalitions and government agencies, to name a few. Building a strong, interdisciplinary network is of primary importance to the Coalition as it strengthens members work in their communities and across the state.

Leadership for the Coalition is provided by a chair, chair-elect and a 10-member steering committee. The Coalition’s work groups are designed to implement the goals of the Strategic Plan.

COALITION LEADERSHIP

Chair, Helen Sisneros, UNM
Past Chair, Leona Woelk, UNM Prevention Research Center

BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP

Networking
Access to injury information
Injury prevention education and training
Visibility for injury prevention programs
Involvement in support of better policy development
Resources, funding and training opportunities
Coordination of efforts
Building effective advocacy groups
Interaction with multi-disciplinary partners
Building injury prevention capacity through shared goals, efforts and participation

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

Membership is free but a membership application is required. For more information please contact Melissa Heinz at the NM Department of Health-Office of Injury Prevention 505-476-3541