The Administrative Office of the Courts says each of the state’s 13 behavioral health regions will receive up to $60,000 for developing service plans.

SANTA FE - The Administrative Office of the Courts announced Monday that funding for regional behavioral health planning has increased to $60,000 per region across New Mexico.

The money will support the development of regional plans for behavioral health services under the Behavioral Health Reform and Investment Act, also known as Senate Bill 3, which was enacted earlier this year. Each of the state’s 13 behavioral health regions will receive the funding through a local, tribal or quasi-government organization.

“The increase in funding reflects our commitment to strengthening behavioral health systems across New Mexico,” said AOC Director Karl Reifsteck, a member of the state’s Behavioral Health Reform and Investment Act Executive Committee. “Regions will be able to translate their planning into action and ensure that communities have the tools to support mental health services and the well-being of New Mexicans.”

Applications for the planning funds are currently under review.

According to the AOC, upcoming steps in the reform process include community workshops and listening sessions in each region, followed by stakeholder committees finalizing their plans. Those plans will then be reviewed and approved by the executive committee to ensure they align with statewide behavioral health priorities.

The 13 behavioral health regions mirror New Mexico’s judicial districts. A new model for enhanced sequential intercept mapping has been developed to include youth as well as adults, helping regions identify resources and gaps in local behavioral health services.