GRANTS, N.M. Every family in Cibola County has been touched by behavioral health in some way—whether it's mental illness, substance use, suicide, or simply trying to find help when someone is in crisis. For too long, communities across New Mexico have struggled with too few providers, too few services, and too many barriers to care. Today, that is beginning to change, and Cibola County is helping lead the way.
There is exciting work happening across the state to help implement and execute the legislature’s vision for reforming behavioral health. I want to take some time to explain where we have come from and where we are now, and celebrate all of the wonderful work that is happening right here in Cibola County.
In 2025, the New Mexico Legislature passed Senate Bill 3, the Behavioral Health Reform and Investment Act (BHRIA). The legislation represents one of the state’s most significant investments in rebuilding New Mexico’s behavioral health system. Rather than taking a onesize- fits-all approach, SB3 aims to allow local regions to identify their unique behavioral health needs and develop tailored solutions.
To implement this vision, counties across New Mexico were organized into 13 behavioral health regions. Cibola County partnered with Sandoval and Valencia Counties to form Region 13. After conversations with local governments, behavioral health providers, and our Pueblos, Nations, and Tribes, Cibola County stepped forward to serve as the region’s Lead Accountability Entity, coordinating planning efforts and bringing partners together around a shared vision.
Because Region 13 was organized and ready to move quickly, we successfully secured early funding for three important projects: 1) Medication Assisted Treatment program in Valencia County detention center; 2) Mobile Crisis Response services in Santo Domingo Pueblo; and 3) Expanded behavioral health outpatient services in Cibola. These three projects are just the start.
Over the past several months, Region 13 has grown into a strong and diverse coalition of partners. Hospitals, behavioral health providers, law enforcement, local governments, schools, nonprofits, state agencies, and our Pueblos, Nations, and Tribes are now meeting regularly to discuss challenges, share ideas, and work together on solutions. Many of these organizations had never collaborated this closely before.
Earlier this year, Region 13 hosted a three-day planning workshop at the New Mexico State University Grants campus to assess the current state of behavioral health, identify service gaps, and prioritize future investments. The workshop brought together community members, subject matter experts, and local leaders to develop a roadmap for strengthening behavioral health services throughout our region. Report Link: https://hsc.unm.edu/medicine/ departments/psychiatry/ bhtac
Today, we are preparing to submit Region 13's first comprehensive Behavioral Health Strategic Plan—a plan that will guide the investment of more than $9.7 million in state behavioral health funding. (That figure reflects the state's current funding formula, which was updated during implementation of the SB3 program and can be found on the Health Care Authority website). What excites me most, however, isn’t just the funding. It’s the collaboration happening.
Communities are learning from one another instead of working in isolation. Organizations are sharing grant opportunities and exploring joint applications. Local governments are studying successful mobile crisis programs to determine what could work here. Tribal communities are exploring ways to strengthen partnerships and expand services together. These relationships will continue to benefit our region long after the initial funding has been invested. This kind of collaboration is invaluable, and an unexpected benefit of the SB3 BHRIA program.
None of this would have been possible without the leadership of Cibola County Manager Kate Fletcher and the dedicated County team, including Joshua Gutierrez, Wendy Self, Judy Horacek, and Paul Ludi, as well as our County Commissioners. We are equally grateful to Valencia County, Sandoval County, the Pueblo of Acoma, Pueblo of Santo Domingo, the City of Grants, the Village of Milan, Ramah Chapter, Cibola General Hospital, Presbyterian Medical Services, UNM Medical Group, Sandoval Regional Medical Center, Pueblo of Laguna, the New Mexico Alliance for Health Councils, the 13th Judicial District Court, and the many additional organizations and individuals who have contributed their time, expertise, and commitment to this effort. While space doesn't allow me to recognize every organization and individual by name, I hope everyone who has contributed knows how deeply appreciated their time, expertise, and commitment have been. The success of Region 13 has truly been a community effort, and every contribution has helped move this work forward.
We know there is still much work ahead, and we may not get everything right on the first try. Building a stronger behavioral health system will not happen overnight, and there will undoubtedly be challenges along the way. But for the first time in many years, our region has the opportunity to start to build a behavioral health system that reflects the needs of our communities and is shaped by the people who know those communities best.
That is something worth celebrating.
The draft strategic plan is publicly available online, in the June 25, 2026 Cibola County Commission Meeting packet. Once the plan is formally approved the final version available online for public review. If you would like to learn more about Region 13 and SB3 BHRIA, please reach out to Marcie Chavez at marcie@workwithzia.co or subscribe to the news updates at https://region-13-bhria.beehiiv.com/ or visit the Health Care Authority’s website at https://www.hca.nm.gov/ under Behavioral Health Services division.
Marcie Chavez is the Cibola County Health Council Coordinator and has participated in Region 13 behavioral health planning through the New Mexico Department of Health-funded Health Council program.