The Aging and Long-Term Services Department (ALTSD) aims to ensure high-quality home and community-based services and supports are provided to older New Mexicans, including provisions for families and caregivers. Access to legal assistance and advocacy for older adults and adults with disabilities is one of the necessary services and supports required under the Older Americans Act (OAA) and an important aspect of ALTSD’s mission. Currently, New Mexico has one legal services provider serving the Metro Planning and Service Area (PSA), and two providers who have contracts with ALTSD for the state. In New Mexico, there is a shortage of lawyers, particularly in the rural and frontier areas. ALTSD is working to expand direct legal services and representation in those areas. To do so, ALTSD is looking to expand current contracts with providers, either through the AAAs or through ALTSD directly, to increase capacity. ALTSD or the AAAs will look to new and existing partners for growth.   

ALTSD partners with Metro AAA who contracts with the Senior Citizens’ Law Office (SCLO), and ALTSD directly contracts with the Legal Resources for the Elderly Program (LREP) and Pegasus Legal Services (Pegasus) for legal services. Non-Metro AAA is also another potential partner for contracting with legal service providers as contemplated by the OAA. 

Constant communication and consultation with AAAs and current legal service providers is necessary for identifying gaps in service delivery and addressing any issues the providers are encountering. Monthly and annual reports are provided to ALTSD, with on-site monitoring happening once a year as well. New reporting requirements will further assist ALTSD, the AAAs, and the providers with determining additional legal services needed by older adults and the specific populations needing those services. 

• Support aging in place-providing services in homes and communities
• Support caregivers
• Combat senior hunger
• Encourage healthy and productive aging
• Build and sustain capabilities to meet emerging needs and challenges

At the heart of the Aging and Long-Term Services Department’s mission is the belief that New Mexico’s older adults and adults with disabilities have the right to remain active participants in their communities, to age with respect and dignity, to be protected from abuse, neglect, and exploitation and to have equal access to health care. The Department is a leader in developing programs and building partnerships that support lifelong independence and healthy aging.

Provide accessible, integrated services to older adults, adults with disabilities, and caregivers to assist in maintaining their independence, dignity, health, safety, and economic well-being, thereby empowering them to live independently in their own communities as productively as possible.