On July 17, 2023, The New Mexico Human Services Department (HSD) made an announcement appointing four directors, with immediate effect. HSD administers multiple programs, including the Medicaid Program, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Child Support Program, and various Behavioral Health Services, providing assistance and benefits to 1,070,126 New Mexicans according to a press release by HSD.
"I am humbled and honored to have the opportunity to be part of the Behavioral Health Services Division," said Nick Boukas, one of the new appointees.
Carolee Graham will serve as the director of the Administrative Services Division (ASD), Nick Boukas as the director of the Behavioral Health Services Division (BHSD) and Acting CEO of the Behavioral Health Collaborative, Betina McCracken as the director of the New Mexico Child Support Program (CSED), and Cristina Parajon as the strategic planning director for HSD according to a press release.
“HSD is fortunate to have four experienced and capable directors to lead at Human Services Department,” said Kari Armijo, acting secretary for the HSD, in the press release. “Carolee Graham, Nick Boukas, Betina McCracken and Cristina Parajon are each driven by passion and determination to serve the people of New Mexico and we are fortunate to have them as leaders in HSD.”
Each of the appointees expressed excitement and readiness for their new positions.
“I look forward to using my experience and knowledge to further the work HSD provides to the New Mexicans we serve and I’m excited to continue working with such a great team whose focus is to ensure that we can provide the services needed as efficiently as possible,” said Graham, according to the press release.
Boukas, new director of BHSD said, “I look forward to continuing the efforts to provide New Mexicans with quality services and am grateful to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham and Acting Secretary Armijo for their trust in me.”
“I am honored and excited to lead the New Mexico Child Support Division and its continued efforts in modernizing the program to help as many parents and guardians as possible with the often-complicated process of obtaining and/or paying child support,” said McCracken, director for the New Mexico Child Support Program, in the press release. “There are many families who need our services and may not know what we can provide, and to those I encourage them to reach out and find out how the modern Child Support program can make a real difference in their child’s life.”
“I am passionate about serving and bettering our State and I am deeply honored to begin my position as director of strategic planning at HSD,” said Parajon, new strategic planning director. “The dedication of this department impacts positively the lives of hundreds of thousands of New Mexicans and I am excited to join in their work.”