AZ Health Zone faces program cuts
Madeline Murray
YUMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) – The Yuma County Health Department is experiencing federal funding cuts, but one program in particular is being completely eliminated.
On September 30, the SNAP ED program under AZ Health Zone that works with schools to influence healthy eating and physical activity will cease to exist.
Tricia Kinnell, AZ Health Zone Program Coordinator, says, “It is not being funded at all, so we are losing five staff, as a result, and so any of the activities that we did, will not, will not happen.”
The program included support for school and community gardens, direct education, physical activity resource assessments, and being able to positively empower the community.
“It’s a little emotional for me…I was the first person hired, and so this has been my life’s work. I mean, I’m passionate about it, so it’s not about a loss of job. It’s about loss of community, right, thank you to the community for allowing our program to be there as long as we have,” says Kinnell.
In order to help support these programs, Yuma County Board member, Lynne Pancrazi, says it’s time to rely on the community.
“Our community is going to have to step up, and we’re going to have to help fund some of the program’s that were funded through this federal grant,” says Pancrazi.
Kinnell also explains there are ways for the community to invest their knowledge and time in order to help support these programs.
“If you have any gardening knowledge, and you can support our schools and community gardens, if you are a community member and you care about the sidewalk’s and you care about being able to support the community and advocating for themselves,” expresses Kinnell.
Representatives encourage the community to volunteer to support these programs.