REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT TO DEVELOP A COORDINATED DELIVERY SYSTEM OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL DETOXIFICATION AND MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES FOR ADULTS AND ADOLESCENTS IN GRANT, LUNA, HIDALGO AND CATRON COUNTIES.

WHEREAS, a variety of state and local bodies develop and conduct activities in Grant, Luna, Hidalgo and Catron counties that have a substantial impact upon the availability, accessibility, quality and quantity of drug and alcohol detoxification and mental health care services for adults and adolescents in those counties; and

WHEREAS, state and federal funds for adults' and adolescents' drug and alcohol detoxification and mental health care services in Grant, Luna, Hidalgo and Catron counties are available but could be more easily accessed if better coordination of programs existed; and

WHEREAS, baseline data on drug and alcohol detoxification and mental health care services in Grant, Luna, Hidalgo and Catron counties are available but not consolidated or easily accessible and thus evaluation and outcome measures are difficult to apply;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the department of health and the children, youth and families department act as lead agencies to make a complete assessment and evaluation, including baseline data, of all alcohol and drug detoxification and mental health care services for adults and adolescents provided in Grant, Luna, Hidalgo and Catron counties; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this cooperative effort coordinate information, programs and resources and include partnerships with local health councils, coalitions and representatives of Grant, Luna, Hidalgo and Catron counties; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study include strategies to ensure a more effective and equitable funding system and make recommendations to expand resources available for these services; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the departments jointly report progress and recommendations to the legislative finance committee at its July and December meetings; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be sent to the secretary of health, the secretary of children, youth and families, the respective local health councils and coalitions and the county commissions of Grant, Luna, Hidalgo and Catron counties.