New Mexico's First in the Nation to Consolidate Publicly Funded Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
A momentous day for behavioral health consumers, family members, providers, advocates and community groups
Santa Fe, New Mexico — July 1, 2005
The New Mexico Interagency Behavioral Health Collaborative (Collaborative) with ValueOptions New Mexico today highlighted the new behavioral health system of care during a news conference in Albuquerque.
Beginning today public mental health and substance abuse services provided and/or funded by 15 separate state agencies will be managed through a single Statewide Entity (SE): ValueOptions New Mexico. "We've come a long way in redesigning the behavioral health system for New Mexico and are looking forward to seeing real results in recovery and resiliency for behavioral health consumers," said Pamela Hyde, Human Services Department Secretary and Co-chair of the Collaborative.
ValueOptions was chosen earlier this year to partner in this effort and serve as the SE. "The employees of ValueOptions New Mexico are honored to be included in this exciting journey," said Pam Galbraith, CEO of ValueOptions New Mexico. "We will work diligently towards ensuring an integrated service system that provides appropriate, coordinated access to behavioral health services for all New Mexico residents, while developing more collaborative relationships with consumers, families, providers, state agencies and communities statewide."
Part of the new behavioral health system of care is the opportunity for consumers and their families to participate in a statewide advisory group: The Behavioral Health Planning Council. This council will be instrumental in giving input on policies and programs that will impact their local communities. "I spent many years receiving behavioral health care services yet had no say in how those services were provided," said Marilyn Rohn, a consumer and member of the Council. "One of the most important things we can do as a consumer is be actively involved in shaping our system of care."
Other state agencies participating in the Collaborative are excited about the changes in behavioral health services for their clients. "Behavioral health issues have not previously been a major focus of the Aging and Long-term Services Department, because of resources," said Debbie Armstrong, Aging and Long-term Services Department Secretary and member of the Collaborative. "As partners with the Collaborative and ValueOptions, we will now be better positioned to identify and address behavioral health issues within New Mexico's elderly and disabled community."
The first phase of the new behavioral health system of care is expected to cover more than 120,000 New Mexicans eligible for state services including Medicaid, Federal mental health and substance abuse block grants, the Children Youth and Families behavioral health funds and the Community Corrections behavioral health funds. "This new system of care means better service, better access for consumers and providers and better use of taxpayer's money," said Lt. Governor Diane Denish.
