Contact:
Jake Thompson
Communications Director
New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department
Jake.Thompson@cyfd.nm.gov
Marina Pina
Communications & Marketing Director
New Mexico Health Care Authority
Marina.Pina@hca.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 3, 2025
CYFD & HCA statement on Kevin S. reforms and progresses for New Mexico’s Children
SANTA FE – New Mexico’s Children, Youth and Families Department and the Health Care Authority issued the following statement today following Kevin S. Arbitrator Charles Peifer’s signing a new order on Monday noting the departments’ progress on reforming child welfare in the state:
The Children, Youth and Families Department and the Health Care Authority acknowledge and appreciate the hard work, collaboration and oversight that all parties have contributed resulting in the agreement and adoption of Stipulated Remedial Order No. 3 in the Kevin S. settlement.
All parties remain committed to working together to reform the child welfare system to ensure New Mexico’s children receive the care, security, stability, services and opportunities they deserve.
The agreement is an acknowledgement that the State has made measurable and significant progress in recent months in key areas that are improving outcomes for children, and that the State has met the requirements of Remedial Order No. 1 many of Remedial Order No. 2. Progress made by the State includes:
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CYFD and HCA are now conducting 100 percent of well-child checks within the required 30 days of a child entering state custody.
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CYFD has significantly ramped up workforce and foster parent recruitment to meet its Kevin S. commitments.
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CYFD and HCA have demonstrated commitment to tackling barriers impacting foster children. For example:
- Last September, the Governor appointed a new CYFD leadership team with decades of experience in child welfare and state government, and they, along with the dedicated staff of CYFD and HCA, have demonstrated progress in placements, workforce and behavioral health.
- HCA has committed to benchmarks for expanding community-based services and treatment foster care.
- CYFD and HCA have also committed to expanding the types of home-based services for foster children.
The agreement further acknowledges that the State is committed to making meaningful and long-lasting improvements to the child welfare system, changes that will sustain beyond the end of the current administration.
Employees at CYFD have been carrying a heavy load even as they strive to provide safety net services to children and families involved in the child welfare system. It has been difficult, but progress would not have been possible without the shared commitments and dedicated focus of every employee at CYFD and HCA.
The State recognizes the continuing challenges of children in foster care and is committed to embracing its obligations to the most vulnerable New Mexicans – children dependent on the State’s child welfare system.
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