Spokane-based SL Start and Associates has been selected to help needy New Mexicans get jobs through that state’s welfare-to-work program.

The New Mexico Human Services Department has awarded an $8.7 million, one-year contract to the company, founded in 1979 to find better ways to support people with disabilities to live and work in the community.

SL Start and Associates, which provides services for children and adults in about 26 cities in Washington and Idaho, was selected through a competitive bidding process.

New Mexico State University previously had the state contract to provide job services to low-income residents in the welfare-to-work program.