HHS - Resident Services
Resident Services
Behavioral Health Division
The Behavioral Health Division was established in July of 2004. It was developed through the integration of two previously existing divisions addressing behavioral health needs for the department. Today, the division provides services ranging from prevention education and life skills to substance-abuse treatment services. The division functions under three funding streams: the Local DWI Distribution Grant, New Mexico Department of Health, Behavioral Health Services Division, and the Office of National Drug Control Policy.
DWI
The DWI component is designed to provide a comprehensive approach addressing the Local DWI Program mission to reduce the incidence of DWI. The program provides services in the following DFA components: planning, coordination and evaluation; screening; alternative sentencing; prevention; compliance monitoring; treatment services; and domestic violence. These services are provided through a variety of mechanisms, which include direct services and contracts.
BHSD/Prevention
Through this funding stream the division delivers science-based prevention programming anchored in established best-practice curricula. The program offers Parenting and Life Skills training for adults. For youth, it offers life skills development. Both of these skills-development trainings are offered through education sessions. The curricula delivered are Creating Lasting Family Connections and the Too Good for Drugs. In addition, this funding stream mandates participation in Synar, a federal program used to reduce tobacco use and access. Through this component, the Behavioral Health Division provides merchant education for vendors who sell tobacco in the communities of Doña Ana County. During the 2006-2007 fiscal year, the program is applying the same concepts and practices to address merchants selling alcohol to underage drinkers. This effort is RAAY: Reducing Alcohol Access to Youth.
Other Services
Both efforts are leveraged to provide information dissemination and community mobilization efforts to address behavioral health throughout the county. These efforts include the Jail Diversion Task Force, participation in the Local Behavioral Health Collaborative, and leadership of the Regional Substance Abuse Collaborative. The culminating community effort is the development of the Community Coalitions Work group, which is addressing alcohol, tobacco and other drug use in Dona Ana County.
Internally, the division coordinates the Healthcare Help Desk.
