SILVER CITY, N.M. - Yesterday, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) visited Silver High School and Western New Mexico University to highlight federal investments to support school-based mental health, distance learning, wildland science education, and research on safe corridors for outdoor recreation and wildlife.

PHOTOS: U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich visits Silver High School to highlight school-based mental health services supported by the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, April 12, 2023.

Senator Heinrich visited Silver High School to celebrate a $6 million School-Based Mental Health Services Grant that was recently awarded to Silver Consolidated Schools under the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act. Senator Heinrich helped negotiate that landmark legislation last year, which included the most significant gun safety reforms that Congress has passed in more than 25 years and historic investments in community and school-based mental health services.

Silver Consolidated Schools is the first district in New Mexico to receive one of these grants under the new law, with many more funding opportunities to become available in the future.

Key attendees included:

Silver High School students
Cindy Barris, Silver Consolidated Associate Superintendent for Instruction
Claudia Smith, Silver High Principal
Brandi Costales, Silver High Social Worker
PHOTOS: U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich visits Western New Mexico University, April 12, 2023.

Senator Heinrich toured Western New Mexico University to learn about the federally-funded work being done to expand distance learning, at the wildland science program, and on safe corridors research for outdoor recreation and wildlife.

Senator Heinrich secured Congressional Directed Spending in the FY22 and FY23 omnibus budgets to support initiatives at Western New Mexico University, including $500,000 for distance learning, $500,000 for a wildland science program, and $250,000 for university researchers to undertake planning and data analyses to address the need for safe corridors to access wilderness areas, outdoor recreation, and surrounding natural environments.

Key attendees included:

Dr. William Crocker, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs
Dr. Magdaleno Manzanarez, Vice President of External Affairs
Dr. Kathy Whiteman, Director, Center for a Sustainable Future and Outdoor Programs
Marivel Medel, External Affairs Program Coordinator
Julia Morales, Vice President of Compliance and Communications