Contact:
Jake Thompson, Jake.Thompson@cyfd.nm.gov
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 14, 2025
CYFD responds to Kevin S. Co-Neutrals’ 2024 report
New leadership details accelerated child welfare reforms
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department issued the following statement today in response to the release of the Co-Neutrals’ 2024 annual report on the state’s child welfare system under the Kevin S. Settlement Agreement:
“Beginning in September, CYFD’s leaders accelerated work department-wide to improve every crucial aspect of our child welfare agency. This work is already bearing fruit and will yield even more results in the lives, experiences and futures for New Mexico’s vulnerable children, young people and families.
“To address staffing challenges, CYFD has established a Workforce Strikeforce in October to dramatically step up the recruiting, hiring, training and retaining of qualified staff. We are streamlining our hiring process to reduce the timeline from an average of 81 days to 45-50 days. Our Clear Path case closure process has resulted in more than 1,300 case closures in the past two months, and we are on track to close 1,000 additional completed investigations by late November, all of which will reduce caseloads and allow workers to spend more time meeting the needs of children.
“To increase placement of children in safe and appropriate homes, CYFD is ramping up the recruitment of new licensed foster and resource homes while expanding resources, financial support and services for all foster and resource parents. Our Foster Care Plus program is being implemented to wrap comprehensive services and supports around families providing care for children with additional needs. The program includes evidence-based training, behavioral health services, crisis response and a supplemental payment of $400 per month approved in October. We will have the capacity to serve 50 children through Foster Care Plus by the end of December.
“CYFD is working to eliminate children staying overnight in offices by recruiting foster and resource homes and expediting placements. We are also working to ensure children receive the behavioral, educational and therapeutic services they need, by connecting them to medical professionals, counselors and other outside experts so they can thrive.
“The department always puts the safety and well-being of children first. CYFD is fully committed to fulfilling its obligations under the Kevin S. Settlement Agreement and to creating a more effective child welfare system that meeting our Kevin S. obligations will produce — all of which will benefit the children we serve.”
— Kathyleen Kunkel, deputy cabinet secretary, CYFD, and acting executive director, Kevin S. Team.
The Co-Neutrals’ 2024 annual report is available at 2024 Kevin S. v. Blalock Co-Neutrals’ Annual Report.pdf
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About CYFD
The New Mexico Children, Youth & Families Department provides critical prevention, intervention, and rehabilitative services to children and families across the state. With a renewed focus on equity, integrity, and measurable impact, CYFD is building a stronger foundation to ensure safety and support for all New Mexico families.
About Leadership New Mexico
Leadership New Mexico is a statewide nonprofit organization that has operated since 1995, cultivating informed, visionary, and collaborative leaders who strengthen New Mexico’s communities. The organization has graduated over 1,800 leaders from 88 communities statewide through its leadership development programs, including the Core Program, Local Government Leadership Program, and Connect New Mexico for young professionals.
[1] The Kevin S. settlement agreement requires CYFD to implement comprehensive reforms including appropriate foster child placements, workforce development, and elimination of children sleeping in agency offices.