Veterans in New Mexico navigate a fragmented system of support, marked by rural access barriers, limited coordination among providers, and inconsistent pathways to care. To address these longstanding challenges, the New Mexico State Legislature engaged the IVMF to assess readiness for and design a roadmap to a statewide coordinated care network aimed at serving veterans and their families.

Over 2022-2023, the IVMF evaluated the state's readiness for such a network by mapping service providers, assessing collaboration practices, and analyzing demographic and rurality factors. Our team engaged 41 nonprofit and government organizations to understand community needs, current coordination, and perspectives on statewide care integration. Findings showed strong support for a coordinated care network but highlighted key challenges, including rurality, resource concentration, leadership, implementation phasing, and sustainability. These insights underscored the need for a community-driven design phase to shape a sustainable model.

Then, over 2025-2026, IVMF focused on developing that design. In partnership with the New Mexico Department of Veteran Services, our team conducted 12 statewide focus groups and 25 stakeholder briefings. Feedback thematically centered on Model & Implementation, Leadership & Accountability, and Adoption & Sustainability. Stakeholders emphasized the need for a regional model supported by full-time navigators, shared standards, and a unified technology platform. They also highlighted the importance of strong, culturally responsive leadership and robust data systems to ensure accountability and trust. Most importantly, successful adoption and long-term sustainability require transparent communication, demonstrable impact, and phased implementation.

We developed an implementation roadmap recommending a regional navigation model led by a nonprofit under state oversight and a four-year phased rollout, that includes pilot testing, infrastructure development, and systematic scaling. This approach reflects the needs of New Mexico's veteran community and offers a sustainable framework for a coordinated care network grounded in trust, cultural competency, and effective service delivery.