A mobile health clinic serving some of the most vulnerable families in Bernalillo County is preparing to shut down after county officials abruptly canceled its contract. The decision has left operators of the program stunned and worried that hundreds of children and families will lose access to essential medical and behavioral health care.
The program, called Health Yeah!, is operated by the national nonprofit Wellness Equity Alliance (WEA). Designed to bring services directly into underserved schools and communities, Health Yeah! has provided both primary care and behavioral health support to students and their families, many of whom face financial and insurance barriers to traditional healthcare.
Abrupt Cancellation
The cancellation came in mid-September, when Bernalillo County issued a 30-day termination notice. The move cut short a two-year contract about halfway through its term. According to WEA staff, the county offered no explanation for the sudden decision.
“With no explanation. We’ve asked, I’ve asked, as a provider, ‘Please explain to us why you’re terminating the program with such little warning.’ And we’ve had no response back, none whatsoever,” said Dr. Dale Alverson, Senior Pediatric Adviser for Health Yeah!.
For Alverson and his colleagues, the silence from the county has only deepened their concern. The lack of transparency has left them unable to prepare for a smooth transition for the children currently receiving care.
A Lifeline for Families
New Mexico faces one of the nation’s highest poverty rates, along with widespread shortages of healthcare providers. For that reason, WEA’s mission has been to remove barriers to care and bring vital services into communities that need them most.
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Health Yeah! has become a lifeline for many families. Alverson shared examples of the clinic’s impact: one student battling suicidal thoughts was connected to mental health support; another, unable to afford shoes, received new ones so they could participate in sports; in another case, the program identified a student as a possible victim of sexual assault, prompting an immediate report to state child protection authorities.
“These are the kinds of situations that show the real-world value of this program,” Alverson explained. “It’s not just about checkups. It’s about addressing the physical, behavioral, and social needs that allow these kids to thrive.”
No Problems Found in Audit
Adding to the confusion, WEA said the county had recently conducted an audit of the program in July. No significant problems were identified at the time, and the organization was never asked to make corrections.
“It is my understanding, there was nothing raised as a major problem that had to be corrected. So we had nothing to respond to,” Alverson said.
For staff, this makes the termination even harder to understand. As the new school year began, Health Yeah! had been building momentum and trust with both families and school administrators.
Trust at Risk
Brandon Smith, another WEA staff member, stressed how important that trust has been. “The strong relationships that we were building with the students are coming to an end, which is unfortunate because, as we know in the state right now, behavioral and medical health is in dire need of providers,” Smith said.
He added that the sudden decision not only undermines the care itself but damages community confidence. “With this resource being pulled, it’s very concerning because with the population that we serve, the trust is also falling apart as well.”
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The termination also extends beyond Health Yeah!. Smith revealed that another WEA program—a reentry initiative supporting formerly incarcerated individuals dealing with addiction—was also notified of early termination. That program is scheduled to end on October 28. Like Health Yeah!, it had no warning or explanation.
“It’s heartbreaking to know that the partnerships and the trust that we were getting from the community is getting broken right now by means of the lack of communication coming from Bernalillo County themselves,” Smith said.
Concerns About Continuity of Care
In its official notice, the county stated that Health Yeah! must continue fulfilling all contractual and legal obligations until September 28. With only days left before that deadline, WEA staff say 30 days is far too short to responsibly transition care.
“We don’t want to engage students and begin to act like we can promise care that we can’t continue to deliver. That’s an ethical issue for us,” Alverson explained.
The New Mexico Medical Society recommends a 90- to 120-day transition period when working with vulnerable populations. Such a period ensures that patients’ records are transferred securely, incoming providers are coordinated with, and families are informed about insurance and payment options. Without that time, WEA fears children who need ongoing treatment will simply fall through the cracks.
“Some of these kids need ongoing care that’s critical for their well-being, both from a behavioral health and physical health standpoint,” Alverson said.
As of now, WEA has not been told if another provider will take over, nor where they should send their patients’ medical records.
County Silent, Community Mobilizing
Bernalillo County has so far declined to explain its decision to terminate the program. KRQE requested an interview with county officials, but they declined to comment.
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Meanwhile, WEA is turning to the public for support. The organization is urging community members to sign a petition calling for Health Yeah! to remain in operation and to attend the upcoming Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners meeting on September 23.
“We’re asking the county to reconsider or at least allow for a proper transition,” said Smith. “This isn’t just about a contract. It’s about the health and safety of our kids and our community.”
For families who have come to rely on Health Yeah!, the abrupt end of the program could mean losing one of the few accessible healthcare options available to them. As the deadline approaches, advocates fear that unless the county reverses course or allows more time, those families will be left with nowhere to turn.
