The Behavioral Health Initiative (BHI) was created by Bernalillo County commissioners through a tax increase that voters overwhelmingly approved. The funds helped to create a behavioral health system with 40 funded projects. Apex is supporting BHI to evaluate five of those projects. We are supporting an outcome evaluation of three suicide prevention providers and a process evaluation of a single-site supportive housing project and senior peer case management programs.
For example, two programs providing senior peer case management services to New Mexicans are the Albuquerque Center for Hope and Recovery and Heading Home.
- The Albuquerque Center for Hope and Recovery largely serves Latino/a communities, offering senior peer case management for those 55+, including those in recovery or with active substance use disorders.
- Heading Home has used funds to begin a new program at their Westside Emergency Housing Center, a shelter for those experiencing homelessness. Heading Home is focused on working with unhoused seniors 65+ who are in the shelter and living with behavioral health concerns, connecting them with resources and – in the words of Heading Home – “moving from isolation and institutionalization towards connection and stability.”
Apex Evaluation worked with both agencies on process evaluations to understand how agencies set up programs; how clients move through programming; and successes, challenges, and lessons learned. It’s an approach well-suited to inform decisions about program improvements. In addition, Apex’s accessible reporting is fostering continuous improvement and aiding decision-making. See examples of Apex reporting in action via interim and final deliverables for Albuquerque Center for Hope and Recovery below.