New Los Alamos County Social Services Manager Kristine Coblentz in her office recently at the Municipal Building. Photo by Kirsten Laskey/ladailypost.com
By KIRSTEN LASKEY
Los Alamos Daily Post
kirsten@ladailypost.com
Kristine Coblentz’s new position as Los Alamos County Social Services Manager is an opportunity to follow her passion.
“I’m passionate about supporting the wellbeing of everyone in the community,” Coblentz said. “This is an opportunity to work more closely with our community partners to coordinate programs and services that benefit our residents.”
Coblentz began her position as the Social Services Manager March 7. Prior to that, she served for five years as the Healthy Schools Director at Los Alamos Public Schools.
At the County’s Social Services Division, Coblentz said there are three main objectives.
“Our overall purpose is to strengthen the network of care for all community members,” she said.
Coblentz explained that Social Services staff are able to connect community members with benefits they are eligible for and support they may need. Health Care Specialist Eloisa Sanchez and Case Coordination Specialist Deni Fell work together to help residents get connected to benefits such as Medicaid, Section 8 housing, or food, rent and utilities support.
Secondly, Coblentz said the Social Services Division oversees contract funding for various community organizations that serve people of all ages from young children to senior citizens. These contracted organizations include Family Strengths Network, Las Cumbres Community Services, JJAB, the Teen and Youth Activity Centers, LA Cares, Health Commons clinic providers, the Senior Centers and Los Alamos Public Schools prevention programming.
Thirdly, the Division coordinates both the Los Alamos County Health Council and the DWI Program and related funding.
It is a major to-do list, but Coblentz said she and her team are up to the task.
“We have the resources and the people, but we also have significant emerging needs. I think that is what I’m most excited about – combining our efforts, our expertise, and our resources to make a greater impact,” she said.
One of the challenges staff and their community partners face in this work is making sure people are aware of the needs in Los Alamos, Coblentz said.
To help raise awareness, Coblentz said Fell has hosted a booth at the local Farmers’ Market and staff regularly attend different community events and meetings to collaborate and speak with the public.
She added that the Division will be reaching out via social media and plans to collaborate with other divisions within the County such as the Library and Parks and Recreation.
Another hurdle is housing. Coblentz said the number one reason people come to the Social Services Division is for housing support – whether that is finding or maintaining affordable housing or rent.
Social Services also works to address the needs of the growing senior population. Coblentz pointed out that Sanchez collaborated with others to make sure that home-bound residents have access to receive vaccines in their homes. Additionally, Sanchez helped to administer CARES Act relief funding to residents during the pandemic. Mental health support is yet another focus. Through the Health Care Assistance Program, residents may be eligible for behavioral health services.
This program also supports jail detainees with health care needs. Additionally, the Division has agreements with providers in the community and the region to refer clients for substance use treatment. Social Services staff work closely to meet the needs of the community in collaboration with Self Help, JJAB, and the County Victim’s Assistant in addition to other local and regional partners.
“In a small community, this level of collaboration can be necessary to find creative solutions to people’s challenges,” Coblentz said.
In the future the Social Services Division will be focusing more and more on health equity, Coblentz said, “so that everyone has fair and just access to high quality services when they need them.”
To help with this effort, Coblentz said the Los Alamos County Health Council was recently awarded a grant from the Kellogg Foundation in collaboration with the NM Community Data Collaborative and the New Mexico Alliance of Health Councils. The $100,000 grant is dedicated to equity work and building capacity.
Coblentz said she is excited for her new position and the work ahead.
“I feel honored to be in this position and I am excited for its potential,” she said.
Coblentz has lived in Los Alamos for 18 years. When not at her office, she said she loves trail running, drinking tea, working in her garden and spending time with her family.