/tags/foster-care Foster Care en-US Copyright Wed, 20 Aug 2025 22:36:26 GMT /local-news/2025-08-20/kevins-arbitrator-cyfd-foster-care-failure The state of New Mexico is still not doing enough to improve its foster care system, despite a 2020 settlement and a report earlier this year calling out the lack of progress. That prompted the arbitrator in the case to issue a second remedial order in the case. Wed, 20 Aug 2025 22:36:26 GMT /local-news/2025-08-20/kevins-arbitrator-cyfd-foster-care-failure Taylor Velazquez /local-news/2025-07-10/another-life-lost-in-new-mexicos-foster-care-system Makamy Anderson’s death is the most recent tragedy to come to light amid a string of deaths of children in the state’s care. Thu, 10 Jul 2025 23:13:35 GMT /local-news/2025-07-10/another-life-lost-in-new-mexicos-foster-care-system Ed Williams /local-news/2025-07-02/state-seeks-input-on-new-pilot-program-that-helps-family-members-caring-for-relatives-children The state is launching a new pilot program to help grandparents and others who are raising their relatives’ children. This comes after the ongoing Kevin S. settlement alleged the Children, Youth, and Families Department was not placing foster children in appropriate housing settings. 91°µÍø has more. Wed, 02 Jul 2025 22:59:16 GMT /local-news/2025-07-02/state-seeks-input-on-new-pilot-program-that-helps-family-members-caring-for-relatives-children Taylor Velazquez /local-news/2025-05-14/new-foster-care-collaboration-looks-bridge-gaps-in-essential-services New Mexico’s child welfare system has struggled over the decades to provide appropriate resources to foster children, ultimately leading to lawsuits. Now two nonprofits are working together to help close the gaps and provide essential services to foster families and state agencies. Wed, 14 May 2025 22:29:41 GMT /local-news/2025-05-14/new-foster-care-collaboration-looks-bridge-gaps-in-essential-services Taylor Velazquez /local-news/2025-04-16/teenager-suicide-foster-care-new-mexico Those who knew the boy described him as a caring young man who was supportive of the other foster youth living in CYFD facilities. His death comes after consecutive years of the state’s failure to provide stable foster homes and mental health care for teenagers in its custody. Wed, 16 Apr 2025 23:49:06 GMT /local-news/2025-04-16/teenager-suicide-foster-care-new-mexico Ed Williams /local-news/2025-02-28/bill-expand-resources-aging-out-of-foster-care The Children, Youth, and Families Department’s Fostering Connections program was created several years ago to extend foster care services to youth aging out of the system. Now the legislature is looking to expand services and eligibility. Fri, 28 Feb 2025 23:02:28 GMT /local-news/2025-02-28/bill-expand-resources-aging-out-of-foster-care Taylor Velazquez /local-news/2025-01-31/new-mexico-has-struggled-for-decades-to-give-vulnerable-youth-adequate-resources New Mexico has ranked consistently near the bottom when it comes to child well-being. The Children, Youth and Families Department, which is supposed to protect the most vulnerable children, has also battled scandals, secrecy, and staffing instability for decades. In the first of a series, 91°µÍø looks deeper into the legacy of these longstanding challenges and how they affect families in the foster care system. Sat, 01 Feb 2025 02:10:42 GMT /local-news/2025-01-31/new-mexico-has-struggled-for-decades-to-give-vulnerable-youth-adequate-resources Taylor Velazquez /local-news/2023-11-21/a-foster-teen-has-gone-missing-why-his-family-asks-is-no-one-looking-for-him New Mexico’s child welfare agency is supposed to safeguard children in its custody and report them immediately if they vanish. In this case, it didn’t. Tue, 21 Nov 2023 19:07:29 GMT /local-news/2023-11-21/a-foster-teen-has-gone-missing-why-his-family-asks-is-no-one-looking-for-him Ed WIlliams, Searchlight New Mexico /local-news/2023-09-01/cyfd-commits-to-ending-office-stays-for-foster-youth-under-its-care The Children, Youth, and Families Department has faced scrutiny in the past for placing foster youth in their office to stay for periods of time. Interim Secretary Teresa Casados committed to ending these stays by working on restructuring the department. But she does not say there is a definite date for the stays to end. Fri, 01 Sep 2023 19:05:13 GMT /local-news/2023-09-01/cyfd-commits-to-ending-office-stays-for-foster-youth-under-its-care Taylor Velazquez /local-news/2023-08-11/cyfd-working-out-new-systems-after-deciding-to-allow-foster-children-to-keep-benefits The Children, Youth, and Families Department has made a recent decision that will allow children in state custody to keep federal benefits owed to them, instead of using those payments to support foster care. Fri, 11 Aug 2023 22:32:30 GMT /local-news/2023-08-11/cyfd-working-out-new-systems-after-deciding-to-allow-foster-children-to-keep-benefits Taylor Velazquez