Join the Ability First Team | View Opportunities
Join the Ability First Team | View Opportunities
Person-Centered, Waiver-Compliant Support That Promotes Safety, Stability, and Meaningful Community Life
At Ability First, we provide trusted, professional supported living services in New Mexico for adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities who want greater independence while receiving the right level of support.
For more than 20 years, our team has delivered customized community supports that promote autonomy, dignity, and community participation – without overpromising or compromising safety. Whether you are a family exploring DD Waiver options, a Mi Via participant seeking more control over your service delivery, or a Direct Support Professional (DSP) looking for meaningful employment, we are here to serve both sides of the system intentionally and responsibly.
Understanding the Challenges Facing Families and Direct Support Professionals in New Mexico
Families and individuals navigating the Medicaid waiver system in New Mexico often face complex challenges.
Adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities deserve more than basic residential services – they deserve stability, choice, and opportunities to participate in community life. Yet many families experience:
It can feel overwhelming to find providers who truly listen, provide individualized support, and balance independence with health and safety standards. Families often ask us:
These are valid and important questions, and families deserve to know.
At the same time, DSPs across New Mexico often face burnout, inconsistent schedules, limited training, and workplaces that do not fully support their growth. Many are looking for:
Without well-supported professionals, individuals receiving these services experience instability. At Ability First, we recognize that quality services begin with supported, trained, and respected staff.
Providing Stability, Value, and Long-Term Impact
At Ability First, we provide comprehensive supported living services in New Mexico designed to empower adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live safe, meaningful, and more independent lives.
With a network of staffed homes and community-based living services throughout Albuquerque, Santa Fe, and Las Vegas, New Mexico, we offer individualized support that balances autonomy with structure. Our approach is never one-size-fits-all. Instead, we build customized community support services that reflect each person’s goals, strengths, and needs while maintaining compliance and health and safety standards.
We believe supported living must be both person-centered and structured. It should encourage independence while maintaining safety, compliance, and ethical service delivery. Our approach balances autonomy with appropriate safeguards and ethical standards, focusing on realistic, individualized support that enhances quality of life and promotes long-term success for each individual.
Supported living (or Group Homes) is a model of care that allows adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live in a safe, stable home environment while receiving the level of assistance they need to maintain their health, independence, and community participation.
At Ability First, supported living services may include:
Our services are grounded in person-centered care. We focus on maintaining safe living environments while promoting autonomy and long-term stability. That means every service plan reflects the individual’s goals, preferences, strengths, and support needs – while remaining waiver-compliant and aligned with health and safety standards set by the New Mexico Human Services Department.
We proudly deliver services under both the DD Waiver and the Mi Via Waiver in New Mexico. Our DD Waiver services are available in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Vegas NM, while Mi Via services are offered to eligible individuals statewide.
The DD Waiver is a Medicaid waiver program designed for individuals with developmental disabilities who require ongoing support. Under this model:
This model offers structure and professional coordination while promoting the individual’s independence and community inclusion.
Mi Via is a self-directed Medicaid waiver option that gives participants greater control over how their support is delivered. Through Mi Via, individuals may:
At Ability First, we provide consultation, guidance, and oversight to ensure services remain ethical, responsible, and aligned with established health and safety standards.
We help participants understand what is truly flexible – and what is required under Medicaid waiver rules – so expectations remain clear from the beginning.
Families often ask what supported living actually involves. While each person’s plan is unique, daily living services may include:
We encourage community integration – whether that means visiting local centers, participating in employment programs, volunteering, or engaging in social activities in Albuquerque, Santa Fe, or Las Vegas, New Mexico.
Our goal is to enhance independence while ensuring safety and dignity.
How We Deliver Professional, Transparent, and Person-Centered Support
We are proud that families and professionals in New Mexico consistently choose Ability First because of our consistent, person-centered approach.
We clearly explain:
Safety is foundational to our supported living services.
We maintain:
At Ability First quality is not an afterthought – it is the foundation of our service delivery model.
We are actively hiring compassionate, reliable Direct Support Professionals across New Mexico.
This is meaningful, purpose-driven work that carries real responsibility and impact. DSPs play a vital role in supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live meaningful, successful lives.
As part of our team, DSPs receive:
If you are committed to person-centered values and delivering ethical, respectful care, we invite you to apply to begin a career that truly makes a difference.
Ability First believes adults with disabilities deserve full inclusion in community life. We actively support engagement in many community events, employment opportunities, and enrichment activities designed to stimulate participants’ learning and cultivate independence.
Our day programs are designed to promote life skills, community integration, and personal growth beyond basic supervision, focusing on meaningful activities, social connection, and skills development.
We love seeing individuals grow in confidence, build independence, and contribute to their communities.
While Supported Living Services (or Group Homes) in New Mexico are a core part of our work, we offer a comprehensive range of person-centered services designed to support adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities at every stage of life.
Community-based residential support that balances independence with professional oversight.
A home-based model that fosters meaningful, long-term relationships in a family environment.
Reliable, short-term support that strengthens families and prevents caregiver burnout.
Daily assistance delivered in an individual’s own home to promote independence and community integration.
A home-based model that fosters meaningful, long-term relationships in a family environment.
Community-focused day programs that strengthen life skills, support social interaction, and foster active participation in meaningful daily activities.
Coordinated health monitoring and medical support tailored to individual needs.
These principles influence how we serve, how we hire, and how we operate each day.
Each service is designed around the individual’s goals, preferences, and support needs. Our interdisciplinary team works closely with families, case management professionals, and community partners to ensure coordinated, ethical service delivery that promotes independence, community participation, and long-term stability.
Whether an individual needs complete housing support, in-home assistance, employment training, or structured day programming, we provides access to consistent, high-quality care grounded in dignity and respect.
We proudly serve residents in:
We continue expanding thoughtfully to ensure quality remains our priority.
If you are exploring Supported Living (or Group Homes) in New Mexico under the DD Waiver or Mi Via program, or if you are a DSP seeking meaningful employment, we invite you to connect with us today.
At Ability First, we are committed to promoting autonomy, independence, and community inclusion while maintaining safety, compliance, and professional excellence.
Together, we can build stable, supportive and meaningful lives in New Mexico.
