District 2 Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez May – June Newsletter

• Message from Jeronimo
• Preparation, Prevention, and Information
• District 2 Highlights
• Service Positions & Job Listings
• Services and Programs
• And more!

Hello Everyone,

I hope you are enjoying the warmer weather as summer begins. The warm weather has already begun to change the landscape of our district. It is important to keep in mind what preventative measures we can take as a community to protect ourselves and our neighborhoods, which includes signing up for emergency notifications through the county and keeping an eye on what actions can be taken before heavy rains and flooding. I have had the opportunity to have productive discussions with constituents, county officials, and so many other individuals. I have been advocating for state funds for transportation, participating in discussions on transportation infrastructure, and supporting increased opportunities for public transportation with the Mountain Line Downtown Connection Center groundbreaking. It has been important to me and the Board of Supervisors to continue the work with flood control and fire mitigation to ensure that residents have proper infrastructure and resources needed to prepare for monsoon season. In addition, Coconino County had the opportunity to host different state and federal officials, such as Governor Katie Hobbs, Senator Mark Kelly, SBA Administrator Isabella Guzman, U.S. Department of Transportation Assistant Secretary for Tribal Government Affairs Arlando Teller, and many others. I am grateful for the opportunities to engage in discussions about both partnership and funding to better serve our surrounding community.

Thank you for taking the time to learn about what is going on in District 2. I am here to serve our community, so please don’t hesitate to email me at jvasquez@coconino.az.gov with any questions or concerns.

As graduation season has ended, we want to congratulate our students of their successes here in the county. Congratulations to all of the Coconino County Graduates from the class of 2023! You earned it!

Supervisor Vasquez had the opportunity to attend the 41st Annual Environmental Excellence Awards. The county was able to be present at these awards and received an award that recognizes the educational spaces provided through the Liz Archuleta Park.

The 41st Annual Environmental Excellence Awards jurists recognized the value this park brings to environmental learning and public art. District 2 Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez accepted the award, noting, “Coconino County is honored to receive this award. The Elizabeth ‘Liz’ C. Archuleta Park provides a sanctuary that shows even the smallest spaces can be sources of beauty, reflection, and connection to nature. Our community treasures this park from its murals to the pond to the sculptures to the gardens to the storybook path from the Flagstaff Literacy Center partnership.”

Coconino County joined the City of Flagstaff to thank the Arizona Department of Fire and Forest Management (DFFM) Director Tom Torres in a ceremony on May 5th, 2023, for the DFFM contribution of $41.7 million dollars to Coconino County and the City of Flagstaff for the Post-Wildfire Infrastructure Assistance Program. The money will help to fund flood mitigation efforts, including equipment, vehicles, and implementation of flood control strategies such as detention basins that will benefit the county and its constituents. Many of the flood control vehicles and equipment were on display at the ceremony.

Supervisor Vasquez participated in a number of flood community meetings to listen to the concerns of residents and discuss the plan to mitigate and prepare for the flood and fire season. Supervisor Vasquez was able to attend Peaceful Way Flood Corridor Meeting, where about 30 residents attended and the focus of the meeting was to discuss two potential alignments for flood mitigation and remind residents that Right-of-Entry (ROE) forms must be granted in order for engineering to progress. He attended Wildfire Awareness Community Meeting – Orpheum where he was able to participate in County outreach to community to increase awareness of wildfire awareness and flood prevention. There were about 100 people in attendance, and good engagement between the community and panel of experts. The Coconino County Virtual Flood Meeting is where Supervisor Vasquez participated in helping residents obtain information on County emergency information resources and to prepare their residences, themselves, and their families to respond safely to flood warnings. The meeting topics included long-term mitigation updates, a 2023 monsoon season outlook, emergency protocol refreshers, flood preparation recommendations, and an encouragement to maintain flood insurance. Lastly, the Copeland Flood Corridor Meeting informed residents of critical need for 100% resident Right of Entry (ROE) forms in Copeland Flood Corridor to begin engineering and move forward with flood mitigation in the Corridor. In this meeting, Supervisor Vasquez as well as others toured resident property after meeting to review options for County support.

Small Business Roundtable with Senator Mark Kelly and SBA Administrator Isabella Guzman

Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez welcomed Senator Mark Kelly and Small Business Administration (SBA) Administrator Isabella Guzman to a small business roundtable with local small business owners and small business staff on May 25, 2023. The Senator and the SBA Administrator discussed federal resources and opportunities for small businesses in the county and state.

Supervisor Vasquez stated that Coconino County saw a 25% increase in new business applications from 2020 to 2021, the largest percentage increase in the past 20 years. Coconino County supports efforts that provide well-paying, high-quality employment opportunities for our residents, and efforts that encourage the development of affordable housing.

Wupatki Trails Flood Control District Tour with Senator Mark Kelly and SBA Administrator Isabella Guzman

Coconino County is hard at work on flood mitigation efforts from last summer’s Tunnel and Pipeline fires in the Schulz Pipeline burn area. District 2 Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez joined Senator Mark Kelly, Small Business Administrator Isabella Guzman, and Supervisor Patrice Horstman with County staff and media outlets in the Wupatki Trails neighborhood on May 25, 2023 to highlight County efforts in one of the neighborhoods recovering from damage by the fires and subsequent flooding.

More than three years ago, COVID-19 was officially declared a pandemic, mobilizing a sustained and historic response. Much has changed since then. Vaccines and therapeutic treatments became available and prevention strategies were implemented throughout the response. May 11, 2023, marked the end of the federal COVID-19 Public Health Emergency (PHE) declaration. We now find ourselves at a different point in the pandemic, with more tools and resources than ever before to better protect ourselves and our communities. As we enter this new era, Coconino County Health and Human Services (CCHHS) recognized and thanked the many individuals who were integral to the COVID-19 County at the Coconino County Health and Human Services COVID-19 Response Recognition event at Pepsi Amphitheatre on Tuesday, June 20 as a way to bring closure to the COVID-19 response. THANK YOU EVERYONE WHO SUPPORTED OUR PANDEMIC RESPONSE!

The National Association of Counties (NACo) Federal Fellowship Initiative is a cohort of congressional and federal officials who collectively serve over 47 million residents in 313 counties across the nation. NACo’s Federal Fellowship Initiative is a cohort-based program comprised of congressional staff, White House officials and other federal agency representatives focused on the importance and structure of America’s intergovernmental system. In particular, the Initiative focuses on the roles, responsibilities, operations and policy priorities of county governments across the country.

Supervisor Vasquez joined the NACo tour in both Coconino County and Yavapai County. Supervisor Vasquez was able to speak about Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT), Secure Rural Schools (SRS), and the Farm Bill. He also participated in the Coconino County Flood Control District tour and the tour of the Babbitt Ranches Energy Center. It was a great honor to host these staffers learning about issues in rural Arizona. We look forward to following up with them next time we are in D.C.

Governor Katie Hobbs met with the Board of Supervisors on Friday, June 23. Supervisor Vasquez chaired the meeting. The Supervisors discussed issues important to County residents including wildfire emergency response funding, local control of ground water, forest restoration, flood mitigation, and the assistance of partners at the State. Thank you Govenor Hobbs for your continued advocacy for rural Arizona. We look forward to future collaboration with your office regarding issues affecting Coconino County.

What is a Community Initiative project?

Community Initiative (CI) projects are selected through an application process by the Board of Supervisors from organizations within the surrounding community based on proposals that prove to have public benefit. Organizations that work with community members are able to request a standard application that can be sent, which will go through application process to receive funding.

**The first step is to contact County Supervisor Vasquez at (928) 679-7162.**

Each District has Community Initiative funding in their budgets. Organizations must submit a Community Initiative application and attach a budget and W-9 form that is emailed to the Supervisors. The County Risk Management and Legal departments review the application and it then goes before the Board of Supervisors in a public Board meeting for review. If the Board votes to approve the application, the organization receives the funding for the public benefit purpose and submits an expense report to the County before the end of the year.

What have been some recent community initiative projects to be funded by District 2?

• Boys & Girls Club – purchase additional kitchen equipment to increase capacity of nutritional programming
• Coconino County Emergency Management – translate the County emergency siren alert messaging to Navajo and engineer and install the translation to the County emergency siren system
• Sunnyside Neighborhood Association – kitchen renovation for Market of Dreams
• Flagstaff Family Food Center – purchase a commercial refrigerator
• Willow Bend Environmental Center – outreach materials for events
• The Literacy Center – a volunteer training program
• KinderCamp – support 2023 KinderCamp classrooms – 8 in Flagstaff and 2 in Williams
• Coconino County African Diaspora Advisory Council – 2023 Juneteenth community event
• Coconino County Parks and Recreation – Youth Climate Summit Event, hosted in partnership with Willow Bend

Supervisor Vasquez had the opportunity to take a tour of the Flagstaff Family Food Center and check out the new freezer they have installed in action! The Coconino County Board of Supervisors was able to approve a CI grant to help fund this project, which brought Supervisor Vasquez much joy as this is positively impacting the community in regards to food access. Thank you Flagstaff Family Food Center for supporting the most vulnerable in our community. Your work is appreciated!

What is KinderCamp?

United Way of Northern Arizona — KinderCamp™ – KinderCamp™ Helping Preschoolers (and Parents) with Transition to Kindergarten : Children & Youth News | Coconino Coalition for Children & Youth (coconinokids.org)

Supervisor Vasquez along with other County Supervisors helped support KinderCamp this year in response to a Coconino County Community Initiative (CI) application from KinderCamp. Supervisor Vasquez had the opportunity to tour Thomas Elementary School’s KinderCamp Program. KinderCamp is a crucial learning opportunity for new students entering Kindergarten. Students who participate in KinderCamp are ready to go day one in Kindergarten. Students who don’t get such prep take one to two months to acclimate to school. We are so lucky to have KinderCamp provided by a partnership between UnitedWay of Northern Arizona and the Flagstaff Unified School District. Thank you!

Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez along with other Supervisors helped fund the Navajo translation of the County emergency siren system with Community Initiative (CI) funding. It is because of both community and county efforts that we are now able to provide this within emergency management and increase access to emergency notifications. Previously, the system only included English and Spanish.

As a member of the Mountain Line Executive Board, Supervisor Vasquez helped to ceremonially break ground at the Downtown Connection Center.

Link to the ceremony information:

Construction Of The New Mountain Line Downtown Connection Center Is Underway In Flagstaff – KAFF News – Flagstaff | Prescott News (gcmaz.com)

Link to the Mountain Line Downtown Connection Center overview:

Downtown Connection Center – Mountain Line | Fixed Route Service in Flagstaff Mountain Line | Fixed Route Service in Flagstaff (az.gov)

Coconino County hosted the first Native American Assistant Secretary of Transportation Arlando Teller on June 5th. In the meeting, Supervisor Vasquez and fellow supervisors discussed US89 Highway Drainage Improvements needed to mitigate the impact of post wildfire flooding on US89. They also provided an overview on Regional Transportation Priority Projects that include Lone Tree Corridor improvements, JW Powell Bridge Replacement, and the Design Concept Report (DCR) on I-40 in Bellemont.

Coconino County has developed the equitable economic recovery dashboard, which was funded through a grant from the National Associations of Counties. This Economic Recovery Dashboard gives communities and leaders in Coconino County the ability to track, record, and visualize the economic conditions of residents across our County.

Link to Website Dashboard: https://www.coconino.az.gov/2237/ Economic-Development

**Each month there will be updated resources**

In December 2022, the Coconino County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved disbursement of approximately $5 million in ARPA funds to 19 qualified community organizations evaluated and chosen from a pool of 30 applicants.

COCONINO COUNTY FUNDING RECIPIENTS

Category: Behavioral Health

• Catholic Charities Funds support Catholic Charities’ homeless services program including for men experiencing homelessness with chronic substance misuse and individuals exiting jail or prison who would otherwise experience homelessness. This population will receive housing and behavioral healthcare and support services for long-term housing stability.
• Community Bridges Funds support Hozho Home, a detoxification and residential treatment program for Coconino County individuals with substance use issues and experiencing housing instability.
• The Guidance Center Funds support Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) trainer certification sessions; rotating community mental health professionals; and a mobile mental health community response.
• Northland Family Help Center Funds provide organizational support and Mindfulness-Based Substance Abuse Treatment (MBSAT) curriculum training for staff working with youth.

Category: Housing

• Town of Fredonia Funds support the town’s sewer line extension construction project.
• Red Feather Development Group Funds support health and safety home repairs and energy efficiency modifications for Hopi and Navajo families residing on their Native homelands within Coconino County.
• Housing Solutions of Northern Arizona Funds support construction and rehabilitation for Jojo’s Place, which has 44 studio apartments, to increase affordable housing supply.

Category: Business Support

• Coconino Community College Small Business Development Center Funds support expansion of Small Business Development Center staff to increase technical assistance, counseling, and business planning.
• Chicanos por la Causa Funds provide targeted outreach for business support to micro-businesses that are less than five years old; have fewer than ten employees; are in majority-minority neighborhoods; and those small businesses from food services, accommodation, retail, and other sectors hardest hit during COVID-19.
• Creative Flagstaff Funds support technical assistance; career and workforce training; and an expanded digital resource lending library for the arts community as well as economic opportunities for entrepreneurial artists through artisan markets, exhibitions, and performances series.

Category: Workforce Development

• Candelen Funds support expanding Elevate PreK by opening new Elevate classrooms.
• Coconino Community College Construction Maintenance Tech Funds support expansion of Construction and Maintenance training program to host five training programs with 15 students each.

Category: Support for Vulnerable Populations

• Flagstaff Family Food Center Funds support emergency food boxes, mobile food distribution, youth programs, homebound food boxes, and weekly food boxes on the Navajo Nation.
• Chicanos por la Causa Funds support expansion of parenting education workshops to families with children aged up to 18 and expanding the scope from Flagstaff. The target population are families experiencing domestic violence, child abuse, and neglect.
• DNA People’s Legal Services Funds assist low-income, vulnerable residents with legal services, with emphasis on housing protection services such as eviction, landlord-tenant mediation, safety and habitability, and deposits.
• Moenkopi Senior Center Funds assist with restarting programs and meals as well as facility repairs.
• Arizona Helping Hands Funds bring the Basic Needs program to Coconino County. The Basic Needs program provides beds, clothes, shoes, hygiene kits, and more to children within the foster and kindship care system.
• Cancer Support Community of Northern Arizona Funds support administering financial support to low-income residents impacted by cancer and the hiring of a Cancer Resource Navigator.
• Flagstaff Shelter Services Funds provide operational funding and a minivan to transport shelter guests.

Free Summer Meals for kids and teens for ages 1 – 18.

No proof of residency or income required. Locations in Flagstaff, Leupp, and Page. For information and locations visit: https:// www.azhealthzone.org/foodsites/

As with other vaccine-preventable diseases, you are best protected against COVID-19 when you stay up to date with the recommended vaccinations. COVID 19-vaccines are effective at protecting people from getting seriously ill, being hospitalized, and dying. Vaccination remains the best way to avoid serious illness.⠀

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The Coconino County Health and Human Services Health and Wellness Clinic offers childhood and adult vaccinations, including COVID-19 vaccinations. ⠀

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For more information and other vaccination locations, visit https:// bit.ly/3qMJbfV or call (928) 679-7222. COVID-19 vaccinations are also available at many pharmacies.

If you are experiencing a crisis or difficulties, we may be able to help you with necessities like transportation and communication. In order to qualify you must:

– Be a Coconino County resident,

– Meet our income criteria, and

– Have a need for these services (including for employment, education, medical, criminal justice, etc.)

For more information:

Flagstaff-region | Call 928-679-7258 | Walk-in hours: Tues/Thurs, 9-10:30AM

Page-region | Call 928-679-7296 | Walk-in hours: Mon/Tues/Fri, 8AM-12PM

CCHHS Update:

Every day, Arizona youth are buying counterfeit pills laced with Fentanyl through social media and they’re overdosing at an alarming rate. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Here’s what you can do to stop it:

1. Talk with your child about NEVER taking a pill that’s not prescribed to them.

2. Monitor your child’s texts and social media.

3. Get the FACTS on Fentanyl at TalkNowAz.com

4. Get free Narcan (naloxone)—a medication that reverses opioid overdoses—and learn how to use it from Coconino County Health & Human Services.

Call (928) 679-7279 or visit https://bit.ly/3muyxXT for more information.

Free Narcan

Naloxone, or Narcan, is a life-saving medication, that can rapidly reverse an opioid overdose. Having Narcan and knowing how to use it can save a life. Who should have Narcan? Anyone in Coconino County can obtain Narcan free of charge.

In Coconino contact (928) 679-7264 or email to receive a free naloxone kit and training about opioid overdose response.

Healthy Families is a voluntary, free support program serving families in their quest to be the best parents they can be. The program offers child development information, group activities, community resources, and ongoing supportive visits for up to five years in your home. The Healthy Families Arizona program will help you:- Be prepared for your baby’s birth- Be a successful parent- Communicate with and understand your baby- Help your child learn about the world through play. If you would like more information regarding eligibility and participation, please contact us at (928) 679-7216.

Practice household safety by talking to your kids about medicine safety.

Put medicines out of reach after every use. Never refer to medicine as “candy.”

Call Poison Control if your child ingests something dangerous at (800) 222-1222.

Did you know that excessive alcohol use is a leading preventable cause of death in the United States, shortening the lives of those who drink excessively by an average of 26 years? Excessive alcohol use includes:

• Binge drinking: defined as consuming 4 or more drinks per occasion for a woman or 5 or more drinks per occasion for a man.

• Heavy drinking: defined as 8 or more drinks per week for a woman, or 15 or more drinks per week for a man.

• Any alcohol use by pregnant women or anyone younger than 21.

Binge drinking and heavy drinking can cause heart disease, including cardiomyopathy (disease of the heart muscle), as well as irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, and stroke. Visit: www.cdc.gov/ drinklessbeyourbest to check your drinking levels, identify motivators and barriers to drinking less, and develop a personalized plan to drink less and improve your health.

The Aunt Flow Program is now available at the CCHHS Page office. CCHHS supports menstrual equity and is proud to now provide free, organic menstrual products (tampons and pads) in CCHHS facilities. Through the Aunt Flow program, the County has installed menstrual product dispensers in CCHHS restroom facilities located in Flagstaff and Page, AZ.

Many females face what is known as “period poverty.” This means they cannot afford to buy period products or do not have access to them. By providing free and equitable access to menstrual products, unnecessary barriers such as period poverty are removed. In addition, organic tampons and pads are free from potentially harmful chemicals that can lead to skin irritation and illness and are environmentally friendly.

The new CCHHS Aunt Flow program aims to destigmatize menstruation. CCHHS believes that menstrual hygiene products are necessities and should be equitably available. Legislation changes in many U.S. states are improving access to period products making the world better for people with periods. More information is available at https://goauntflow.com/legislation-updates/

The Health Start Program is currently accepting new referrals for pregnant people and parent/s with children under the age of 2-years old for home and virtual visits by Health Start Caseworkers to improve maternal and child health outcomes. They provide education on various maternal child health topics and connect families with resources to meet their social and health needs.

The Health Start Program serves individuals from the following northern Arizona communities of Page, LeChee, Kaibeto, Coppermine, Gap-Bodaway, Cedar Ridge, Cameron, Tonalea and Tuba City.

To enroll contact the Health Start Caseworker at (928) 679-7292 or (928)679-7325. Info: https://bit.ly/3CI0V1p.

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Announcements and Events

• Health and Human Services offices will be closed July 4th in observance of Independence Day.
• Alzheimer’s free virtual event – Join us for a free virtual event – Caring for a loved one with Alzheimer’s: A panel of real-life experiences July 13th at 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. Learn more here.
• Free immunizations for COVID-19, Shingrix, Tdap, and Pneumococcal at the 1st Inaugural George Willie Sr,. Memorial Veteran’s Stand Down Event at Twin Arrows Casino June 29th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Opioid Overdose Prevention Events – Free Narcan/Naloxone, Fentanyl test kits, and Deterra drug activation bags at the Flagstaff Downtown Library Thursdays July 13th and August 17th. Find out more here

Local services list: This is a list of local organizations with details about their offerings for assistance. Please look over for yourself or to refer to people you may know that need help. https:// www.coconino.az.gov/DocumentCenter/View/35228/COVID-19- Social-Safety-Net-Services-Coalition-Resource-Guide-V9_