1. New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department History at a Glance

Organizational Change

The New Mexico State Agency on Aging (Department) was created by Chapter 203, Laws of 1979 and was administratively attached to the New Mexico Human Services Department. During the 2003 Legilative session, the Legislature enacted House Bill 585, which was subsequently signed by the governor of the state of New Mexico. The legislation became law effective June 20, 2003. The law made the Department a cabinet level agency and renamed it the State of New Mexico Aging and Long-Term Services Department (ALTSD or the Department). The Department administrative head is the secretary, who is appointed by the and serves at the pleasure of the governor. The statutory duties of ALTSD are to establish and maintain a comprehensive statewide program designed to meet the social service needs of the state's older adult population including but not limited to the following:

• Strenghten and coordinate services of state and local public bodies for the benefit of older adults;
• Promote the utilization of older persons in all phases of employment;
• Disseminate information to older adults relative to federal, state, and local services.