From left, award recipient Esperanza Lucero, Jeffrey Limbaugh, Joe Snyder, Jennifer Oakes and Jamie Saviano at the 2023 National Adult Protective Services Association Conference Aug. 29 in Boston, Mass. Courtesy/ ALTSD

STATE News:

• Esperanza Lucero is first New Mexican to receive NAPSA award since 2007

SANTA FE – The New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department (ALTSD) has announced that Deputy Director of Adult Protective Services Esperanza Lucero has received a prestigious national award.

Lucero was presented with the President’s Award on Aug. 29 from the National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA). Lucero is the first New Mexican to receive a NAPSA award since 2007.

The NAPSA President’s Award is given in recognition of outstanding contributions in the field of Adult Protective Services as demonstrated by a dedication to elders and persons with disabilities and commitment to improving the quality of services to this population. NAPSA gave their highest-level award to Lucero for her innovative approach to reforming New Mexico’s APS system with the state-of-the-art harm-reduction model. Lucero accepted the award at this year’s conference in Boston, Mass. 

“I am proud of Esperanza Lucero’s innovation and leadership. She elevated New Mexico as the national gold standard of how to best comprehensively serve and protect vulnerable adult populations,” Secretary Designate Jen Paul Schroer said. “The Governor is committed to ensuring that all New Mexicans are safe and thriving, and Esperanza Lucero is helping to deliver on that promise.” 

“I am grateful to the incredible work of my team at Adult Protective Services,” Lucero said. “Since I’ve been at Aging and Long-Term Services, we have shifted how we work in Adult Protective Services. By using a prevention, intervention and harm reduction model, we can identify issues up front and work to prevent them from getting worse. This means fewer repeat occurrences of maltreatment and better supports to prevent abuse, neglect and exploitation.” 

In part due to Lucero and ALTSD’s work on Adult Protective Services, the NAPSA conference will be held next year in Albuquerque. The 2024 conference is projected to be the largest in the organization’s history with an anticipated 1,200+ attendees. 

About ALTSD

The New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department (ALTSD) was established in 2004 to provide advocacy, support, and resources for seniors and adults with disabilities. The department oversees the state’s Area Agencies on Aging to elevate the quality of care at senior centers, offers advocacy through the Long-Term Care Ombudsman volunteer program, and provides intervention through the agency’s national award-winning Adult Protective Services. Additionally, ALTSD houses the state’s Aging and Disability Resource Center, which offers options counseling, education, and connection to resources. For more information about ALTSD, visit aging.nm.gov.