Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Behavioral Health topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission adopts Region 11 behavioral health plan to access state funding
Summary
San Juan County commissioners approved a Region 11 behavioral health plan that outlines five priorities and a three-year funding framework estimated at about $9 million; the plan makes tribal entities co-accountable and moves to the state for final review.
San Juan County commissioners voted to adopt a Region 11 behavioral health plan and authorized submission to the state, a move the county’s regional planner said is intended to unlock state funding and coordinate local services.
Evan Williams, executive director of the Northwest New Mexico Council of Governments, told the commission the plan focuses on five priorities—housing; justice and diversion; coordination and system integration; access and infrastructure; and prevention—and is the product of an enhanced sequential intercept mapping workshop, community listening sessions and focused tribal engagement. "This region is set to receive about $9 million over a three‑year period," Williams said, noting a tribal allocation of about $5 million that reduces the non‑tribal pool to roughly $1 million per year.
Williams said the plan aims to leverage other funding sources, prioritize investments that can be sustained, and include procurement, evaluation and a governance structure. He also described making Navajo Nation and Pueblo entities "co‑accountable entities" so tribes can receive direct funding while aligning with the regional plan.
Commissioners praised the work and stressed the need for strong coordination and an evaluator or coordinator to administer the program. Commissioner Fortner said local crisis triage resources and existing programs should be integrated: "making sure that there's somebody like you said, a coordinator and an evaluator and there's monies available for that also," Fortner said.
The commission approved resolution 25‑26‑77 adopting the plan and directing submission to the state. Williams said the regional steering committee will address public comments, finalize the plan by June 26 and seek to begin grant awards and action teams on July 1. The plan’s next steps include procuring services, contracting providers and implementing evaluation measures to monitor outcomes.
The plan does not create permanent obligations beyond recommended county roles; Williams said many services will require Medicaid readiness and braided funding from multiple sources to be sustainable. The commission’s approval authorizes county staff to submit the plan on the county’s behalf and continue coordination with tribal partners and the state.
