Access to Recovery Grant: 

Transforming Behavioral Health Through Self-Direction

In September 2007, the State of New Mexico was awarded a second Access to Recovery Grant.  The Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration awarded the Office of the Governor $14.5 million for three years of services.  The grant will be administered in Santa Fe County, Bernalillo County, Dona Ana County, and Curry County with a focus on Gender-Specific services and recovery services for methamphetamine abuse or dependence.

In 2004, New Mexico was among 14 states and one tribal organization to be awarded an Access to Recovery (ATR) grant from the Department of Health and Human Services' Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration:

The Office of the Governor was awarded $7.5 million for each of three grant years for a total of $22.5 million. The Governor has designated the Behavioral Health Services Division of the New Mexico Department of Health to administer the funds.

Behaviorlal Health Services Department and ValueOptions New Mexico

In April 2005, ValueOptions New Mexico (VONM) was selected as the Statewide Entity (SE) for the New Mexico Interagency Behavioral Colaborative.   

ValueOptions New Mexico is responsible for maintaining the New Mexico behavioral health provider network and managing the service delivery system, including the Access to Recovery Grant.  The Behavioral Health Services Department of the NM Human Services is responsible for the oversight and administration of ATR New Mexico.

In partnership with the New Mexico Interagency Behavioral Health Purchasing Collaborative, ValueOptions New Mexico is committed to a behavioral health service delivery system that is both effective and efficient, while focused on the principles of Recovery and Resiliency.

Together, ValueOptions New Mexico and the New Mexico Interagency Behavioral Health Purchasing Collaborative are committed to the psychological, emotional, and spiritual health of New Mexican individuals, families, and communities.

Client Choice

Access to Recovery grants are intended to assist recipients in designing and implementing a voucher program to pay for an expanded array of community-based clinical substance abuse treatment and recovery supports. Keys to successful implementation of the ATR are:

        Ensure genuine, free, and independent client choice of appropriate clinical substance abuse treatment and recovery supports.  

        Improve access and increase capacity for substance abuse treatment and recovery support services.

        Engage faith-based organizations in providing a broader spectrum of treatment services and recovery supports.

The Central Intake Site serves as a first point of contact for clients in need of treatment or recovery support services.