Innovation Network of New Mexico was formed by a group of New Mexico nursing home leaders from the provider community, along with representatives from New Mexico’s state survey agency and Ombudsman program, and other consumers and advocates in September 2004. The Network is dedicated to enhancing the lives of elders residing in New Mexico long-term care facilities (nursing homes, assisted living facilities and other long term care service providers). Innovation Network of New Mexico aims to advocate and facilitate deep, systemic change in long-term care and transformation in our culture of aging. Innovation Network of New Mexico seeks to achieve this mission by:

• Offering resources for those interested in culture change
• Providing opportunities to learn about culture change
• Promoting culture change in long-term care
• Creating an environment for networking, problem solving and support for individuals and organizations involved in the culture change journey
• Identifying and promoting transformations in practice, services, public policy and research by educating local and state officials, regulators, surveyors, and the general public and community about culture change

Innovation Network of New Mexico formed a board of directors in March 2005 to assist in bringing the mission and vision of this network to New Mexicans.

Currently, the Innovation Network Board of Directors is working to develop a certification process to give credit to those facilities that are making progress in culture change.