The Program Operations Division researches and works with key Health and Human Services stakeholders to support health care safety net services. We manage the following programs:

Health Care Assistance Program

A payer of last resort for primary care, through the Health Care Assistance Program we oversee the Indigent Hospital and County Health Care Act [27-5-1 NMSA 1978]. The program also provides dental care and behavioral health services. HHS partners with providers to enroll eligible residents and maximize service delivery coordination and provider collaboration. 

We also support a countywide Interagency Management Information System  that integrates healthcare eligibility and enrollment information. By accessing this web-based database local providers can more efficiently refer uninsured and underinsured residents for additional services and more effectively address their needs.

Grant and Contract Management

We identify, apply for and monitor grants that best meet our community's needs. We collect and analyze data about contractors, perform research and develop reports. These help update grantors on our progress, document programs' impact on our community and serve as guides to other County departments for subsequent program development.

In this function, we also manage contracts for services that range from primary health care to senior meals and community health worker development. We draft Requests for Proposals, RFPs, Requests for Bids, RFBs and coordinate the proposal evaluation process for contractor selection. We develop and monitor HHS contracts, from invoice processing to conducting site visits and performing evaluation.

We also ensure our procurement process is transparent and effective by partnering with volunteers to serve 3-year terms in the Health Fund External Agency RFP Evaluation Committee.  Evaluation Committee applicants submit an application and current resume, along with meeting eligibility criteria.