New Mexico's Aging and Long-Term Services Department (ALTSD) has been awarded a $100,000 grant to enhance senior services in the state's rural regions. The funding is provided by the National Community Care Corps and is part of a competitive process that selected 23 organizations from 122 applicants based on innovation, community need, and a commitment to serving diverse and underserved populations.
The Community Care Corps project is a collaboration of several organizations, including the Administration for Community Living, The Oasis Institute, Caregiver Action Network, and USAging. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham played a critical role in the program's initial stages, sponsoring the National Care Corps Act and the Care Corps Demonstration Act, which helped secure federal backing.
The initiative aims to support family caregivers, older adults, and individuals with disabilities by funding local programs that engage volunteers to provide nonmedical services. Emily Kaltenbach, ALTSD Cabinet Secretary, stated, "Transportation is often a barrier to accessing services and maintaining independence, especially for those in our more rural areas. We are thrilled to be selected and look forward to utilizing this funding to help meet the needs of our older adults."
The grant will run from April 1, 2025, to September 30, 2026. During this time, ALTSD will collaborate with the Non-Metro Area Agency on Aging to expand a volunteer-driven program offering transportation and chore services to rural seniors transitioning from long-term care facilities back to community living. The initiative seeks to combat isolation by providing seniors with transport, chores, and companionship assistance, enabling them to age in place.
For further information, the Community Care Corps can be visited at communitycarecorps.org.
