State-Funded Behavioral Health Crisis Units Coming to Grant County

New regional model aims to provide more comprehensive substance misuse and mental health services across three counties

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The Grant County Commission received an update from the Opioid Remediation Collaborative New Mexico (ORCNM) on progress toward building substance misuse intervention and recovery resources, including plans for a mobile crisis unit and social rehabilitation project funded through New Mexico's Senate Bill 3. The regional model developed by ORCNM focuses on crisis response, outpatient services, and community support rather than inpatient crisis triage centers, which have proven unsustainable. The Commission also discussed reforms to the county's animal ordinance, including replacing the annual licensing requirement with a one-time microchip mandate and implementing a universal spay-neuter policy.

Why it matters

This initiative represents a shift toward a more comprehensive, community-based approach to addressing behavioral health and substance use issues in Grant County and the surrounding region. By focusing on crisis response, outpatient care, and community support, the model aims to reach a broader population in need of services and provide more sustainable solutions. The animal ordinance reforms also reflect an effort to promote responsible pet ownership and reduce the burden on local animal shelters.

The details

ORCNM's regional model, developed in collaboration with Hidalgo and Luna counties, aligns with the priorities of New Mexico's Senate Bill 3, which provides funding and a planning structure for behavioral health and substance use services. The model includes resource mapping, mobile crisis response units, intensive outpatient services, regional transportation support, and community support centers. Two SB 3 early funding grants are already moving forward, including a mobile crisis unit for Grant County and a social rehabilitation project in Hidalgo County. The Commission also discussed reforms to the county's animal ordinance, such as replacing the annual licensing requirement with a one-time microchip mandate and implementing a universal spay-neuter policy to promote responsible pet ownership and reduce the burden on local animal shelters.

  • In 2023, ORCNM reconvened tri-county partners to realign with Senate Bill 3.
  • The mobile crisis unit for Grant County and the social rehabilitation project in Hidalgo County are already moving forward with SB 3 early funding grants.

The players

Opioid Remediation Collaborative New Mexico (ORCNM)

A regional organization that has developed a model for addressing substance misuse and behavioral health issues across Grant, Hidalgo, and Luna counties in New Mexico.

Shauna Hartley

The executive director of ORCNM, who provided an update to the Grant County Commission on the organization's progress.

High Desert Humane Society

A local animal welfare organization that has worked with the Grant County Commission on reforming the county's animal ordinance.

Heidi Ogas

The president of the High Desert Humane Society board, who presented recommendations for updating the county's animal ordinance.

Nancy Stephens

A District 3 Commissioner in Grant County, who expressed support for the proposed mandatory spay-neuter requirement.

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What they’re saying

“It looks pretty good that we did the tri-regional assessment. It really just leans right into SB 3.”

— Shauna Hartley, Executive Director, Opioid Remediation Collaborative New Mexico (scdailypress.com)

“I think we need to make it very affordable to have a pet, but very unaffordable to not be responsible with that.”

— Heidi Ogas, Board President, High Desert Humane Society (scdailypress.com)

“The mandatory spay and neuter sounds really smart. That's really the way that we're going to get to no-kill, right, is by reducing the number of animals.”

— Nancy Stephens, District 3 Commissioner, Grant County (scdailypress.com)

What’s next

The Grant County Commission will consider the proposed animal ordinance reforms and continue to work with ORCNM and the other counties in the region to implement the new behavioral health crisis response and community support initiatives funded through New Mexico's Senate Bill 3.

The takeaway

This collaborative regional approach to addressing behavioral health and substance use issues, as well as the efforts to promote responsible pet ownership, demonstrate Grant County's commitment to finding sustainable, community-based solutions to complex challenges facing the local population.