Region 12 Opens Additional Public Input Opportunity for Draft Behavioral Health Priorities

Alamogordo, NM – Region 12 officials have announced an additional opportunity for public input and comments on the Draft Regional Behavioral Health Priorities as part of the ongoing Behavioral Health Reform and Investment Act (BHRIA) planning process.

Community input remains a critical component of the process, helping to ensure the final regional plan accurately reflects the real experiences, needs, and priorities of residents, organizations, and service providers across Otero County, Lincoln County, and the Mescalero Apache Tribe.

The Draft Regional Behavioral Health Priorities document is now available for public review. It outlines five key priority areas developed from community listening sessions, Enhanced Sequential Intercept Mapping (E-SIM), public comments, and stakeholder input:

• Priority 1: Housing – Addressing shortages in recovery-oriented, supportive, transitional, and emergency housing options.

• Priority 2: Behavioral Health Care Continuum Expansion – Building treatment infrastructure, including residential centers, mobile services, and step-down care.

• Priority 3: Youth, Family, and Caregiver Supports – Expanding peer support, school-based services, and family resource centers.

• Priority 4: Crisis Response Services – Enhancing mobile crisis teams, stabilization hubs, and coordinated emergency responses.

• Priority 5: Justice and Diversion Services – Supporting reentry programs, diversion initiatives, and alternatives to incarceration for individuals with behavioral health needs.

View the full draft here:

https://co.otero.nm.us/DocumentCenter/View/10302/BHRIA—Rough-Draft-of-Priorities—6252026

Members of the public, behavioral health providers, justice system partners, healthcare professionals, schools, local governments, community organizations, and other stakeholders are strongly encouraged to review the draft and provide feedback.

Submit comments through the Region 12 BHRIA Regional Priorities Public Input and Comment Form:

https://co.otero.nm.us/FormCenter/BHRIA-7/BHRIA-Regional-Priorities-Public-Input-a-68

All public comments must be submitted by July 6, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

For more information about Region 12 activities and the regional planning process, visit the BHRIA webpage on the Otero County website.

Regional Contacts:

• Lincoln County: Lincoln County Planning & Projects Department, 109 Kansas City Road, Ruidoso, NM 88345; Phone: 575-973-1397

• Mescalero Apache Tribe: Mescalero Apache Tribe, General Council, P.O. Box 227, 108 Central Avenue, Mescalero, NM 88340; Phone: 575-464-4494

• Otero County: Healthcare Services Department, Otero County Administration Office, 1101 New York Avenue, Alamogordo, NM 88310; Phone: 575-434-4902

Alamogordo Town News encourages all interested community members to participate in this process. Strong community voices help shape behavioral health investments that directly impact local families, veterans, youth, and those in crisis across Region 12.

This is a public service announcement-article based on information provided by Otero County and Region 12 partners to our readers and listeners of 2nd Life Media partners Alamogordo Town News and KALHRadio.org 

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