WIC Nutrition Program Manager Mary Meyers celebrates the grand opening of the Sandoval County WIC Clinic in Rio Rancho

Newly constructed WIC Clinics are serving as anchors for community “Health Commons” that integrate health and social services under one roof. The newly opened Sandoval County, Hatch and Las Vegas WIC clinics are examples.

The New Mexico WIC Program depends on local counties to provide the clinic space for WIC, and counties are now favoring this new “continuum of care” because it co-locates collaborative services in facilities that are multi-service in nature and more cost effective to construct. This provides easy referrals through “one-stop” public health services where residents of all income levels may obtain health and social services.

To reach clients in rural areas and Las Colonias, WIC operates several mobile clinics. Also, WIC is partnering with faith-based organizations to provide services, such as the Presbyterian John Hyson Center in Chimayo.

South Valley Health Commons Under Construction

A 1,528-square-foot WIC clinic will be part of the 43,000-square–foot South Valley Health Commons scheduled to open at the current N. Centro Familiar SW clinic site in early 2007. With the new building, New Mexico WIC projects 100% growth of its South Valley program. The WIC expansion is funded through a 2005 USDA infrastructure grant. Health Commons integrate health and social services under one roof, offering a continuum of care due to co-located services in facilities that are multi-service in nature and cost effective to construct, allowing “one stop” public health services.