Behavioral Health Reform and Investment Act (BHRIA)
This webpage is intended to serve as an informational access point for people interested in the State’s Behavioral Health Reform and Investment Act rollout, and in particular related happenings at the regional level.
State Status
During the 2025 Legislative Session, the State of New Mexico enacted the Behavioral Health Reform and Investment Act (BHRIA) which officially took effect on June 20, 2025.
Since that time, the State’s Administrative Office of the Courts and the State’s Health Care Authority have been working to develop a regional approach to statewide behavioral health reform under the oversight of a statewide Behavioral Health Executive Committee which, among other things, has designated regions according to judicial districts.
The State’s Executive Committee has also adopted a specific approach to commence in the fall of FY26 as outlined in this letter addressed to County Managers and Tribal Leaders statewide. For full details, readers are encouraged review the State links provided above.
Regional Status
Specific to our State-determined Behavioral Health Region One (BHR1), this includes the following 14 unique, separate, and distinct governments, with Santa Fe County serving as the region’s initial lead entity:
- Jicarilla Apache Nation
- Ohkay Owingeh
- Pueblo of Santa Clara
- Pueble de San Ildefonso
- Pueblo of Nambe
- Pueblo of Pojoaque
- Pueblo of Tesuque
- County of Los Alamos
- County of Rio Arriba
- County of Santa Fe
- City of Espanola
- City of Santa Fe
- Town of Edgewood
- Village of Chama
Per the State’s requirements as outlined in the aforementioned letter to County Managers and Tribal Leaders, each region must develop a Planning Committee for an E-SIM workshop to occur that will identify the region’s top five behavioral health priorities, which is intended to serve as the basis for the development of a regional behavioral health plan that will in turn allow the region to apply for funds under the Act.
These workshops will be facilitated by UNM’s Health Science Center and cannot include more than 100 participants and must be in person. This means that there will be stakeholders unable to attend but who can otherwise participate in Listening Sessions that will be facilitated by the New Mexico Alliance of Health Councils.
Since BHR1 recently completed SIM mapping specific to adults, our E-SIM mapping under BHRIA will be specific to youth with select stakeholders selected accordingly and as representative as possible, all things considered.
BHR1’s E-SIM for Youth Workshop is scheduled for December 18 and 19, 2025, and dates for its Listening Sessions will be scheduled within the near term.
Learning More
This State-determined model and methodology is an evolving process that will develop over time. Should you wish to learn more, please visit all of the hyperlinks contained on this page.
You are also welcome to send an email to BHR1@santafecountynm.gov.