Courtesy/NMAOC
NMAOC News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Administrative Office of the Courts (AOC) today announced significant progress in the implementation of Senate Bill 3 (SB3), the Behavioral Health Reform and Investment Act (BHRIA). Organizations that will lead the regional planning—called Accountable Entities—have been identified, statewide listening sessions are set to begin, and the first E-SIM (Enhanced Sequential Intercept Mapping) workshop will take place next week.
“We are excited to see the SB3 infrastructure taking shape across every region,” said Administrative Office of the Court Director Karl Reifsteck. “Accountable Entities are stepping forward with dedication and purpose, and their leadership is essential to building a more responsive, accessible behavioral health system for New Mexico.”
Accountable Entities Identified Across All Regions
Accountable Entities have now been confirmed in each of the state’s 13 behavioral health regions. These regional leaders will coordinate planning, organize listening sessions, and guide community engagement efforts to ensure that local priorities and experiences shape the future of New Mexico’s behavioral health system.
Statewide Listening Sessions begin this month
Beginning this month, AOC, the Accountable Entities and the Alliance of Health Councils will host listening sessions across New Mexico to gather community, provider, tribal, and local government input. These sessions will identify local needs and priorities and directly inform regional behavioral health plans. Throughout the next several months, each region is offering multiple options for community feedback through focused groups, surveys, and in person and virtual options.
Upcoming virtual Listening Sessions Hosted by the Alliance of Health Councils:
- Region 9: Adult-focused behavioral health5:45 p.m., Tues. Dec. 9, 2025
- Region 12: Behavioral health focused on adults and youth, 12–1 p.m., Wed. Jan.7, 2026
To learn more, visit NMHealthcouncils.org
“This next phase is all about listening,” said Esperanza Lucero, AOC Behavioral Health Integration and Reform Administrator. “The voices of communities, families, tribal, pueblo, and Nation partners, and people with lived experience will guide how each region identifies its priorities and designs solutions. These sessions are where the real work of SB3 begins.”
E-SIM Workshops Launch; First Workshop scheduled for next week
In partnership with the New Mexico Health Care Authority (HCA) and The University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center (UNMHSC), AOC is launching statewide E-SIM workshops to support regions in mapping their behavioral health systems and improving coordination across crisis, law enforcement, judicial, and community service intercept points.
The first workshop is scheduled for next week in Bernalillo County, with 5 other locations completing their E-SIM Workshops this CY, and the additional regional workshops continuing into early 2026.
“The launch of the E-SIM workshops is a major milestone,” added Caroline Bonham, MD, from The University of New Mexico Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences “These workshops will give each region the tools to understand their system, identify gaps, and chart a more coordinated path forward. We are grateful for the partnership of AOC and HCA as we build this statewide framework together.”
Next Phase: Development of Regional Behavioral Health Plans
Once the E-SIM workshops are completed, each region will begin developing its behavioral health regional plan. These plans will outline regional priorities, needs, strategies, and investment recommendations, forming the foundation for a coordinated statewide system.
Completion of the regional plans is a required step for regions to access the Behavioral Health Trust Fund, which was established by the Legislature to support long-term behavioral health system improvements across New Mexico. Up to $60,000 will be awarded in each of the state’s 13 behavioral health regions for the development of regional plans for providing behavioral health services.
Next Phase: Development of Regional Behavioral Health Plans
Once the E-SIM workshops are completed, each region will begin developing its behavioral health regional plan. These plans will outline regional priorities, needs, strategies, and investment recommendations, forming the foundation for a coordinated statewide system.
Updates, schedules, and registration links for listening sessions and E-SIM workshops will be shared through AOC and regional communication channels.
Map of State’s thirteen behavioral health regions. Courtesy/NMAOC
*Dates subject to change. Courtesy/NMAOC