The programs within the Consumer and Elder Rights Division assure elderly and disabled citizens of New Mexico protection of their rights to adequate standards of care and access to essential benefits, goods and services. These protections occur through direct counseling, information and referral, care coordination, legal advocacy, and quality management activities. Services are delivered through five bureaus: the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Bureau, the Aging and Disabilities Resource Center, the Legal Services Development Bureau, Benefits Counseling Bureau, and the Prescription Drug Assistance Program.

Beginning in FY 2006, an Adult Abuse Prevention and Enforcement Section will be created to ensure that incidents of adult abuse, neglect and exploitation are fully identified, carefully investigated, properly documented, and aggressively prosecuted. The goal of this new unit is to eliminate such incidents through coordination of services with, and training of, district attorneys, other legal professionals, health care workers, other medical staff, social service workers, and law enforcement throughout NM.

Consistent with this approach, the Division has added an HIV/AIDS Consumer Advocate to its staff, in response to a legislative mandate from the 2005 legislative session. The following goals reflect the shared intent and activity of every Bureau within the Division. Specific objectives to meet these goals are detailed under each Bureau description.