New Mexico Plans Group Home for Foster Children Amid Concerns

The New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) is set to launch a new group home for foster children in Las Cruces. This initiative aims to address the urgent need for placements for vulnerable youth, but it has drawn backlash due to recent tragic incidents involving children in state custody. The CYFD’s plans come in the wake of a suicide this year of a 16-year-old boy in an Albuquerque group home, highlighting ongoing concerns about the safety and adequacy of care within the state’s foster system.

CYFD spokesperson Jake Thompson acknowledged the serious implications of congregate care, stating that the department is “deeply disturbed by the death of any child in our care.” He emphasized that the new facility would provide a temporary solution for children currently facing inadequate placements, including stays in CYFD offices, which have also faced significant criticism from child welfare advocates.

The proposed center, intended for up to 10 children aged 12 and older, is still in the planning stages. CYFD has not yet finalized a budget, signed a contract, or announced an opening date. However, Thompson indicated that the agency is actively recruiting staff with the goal of opening within the next few months.

“We believe a receiving center in a home-like building with designated and trained CYFD behavioral health staff watching over them and keeping them safe 24/7 will be more beneficial than office settings while longer-term family or foster care options are sought,” Thompson said via email. He added that the facility would be staffed around the clock and funded through a legislative Government Results and Opportunity Program appropriation.

Concerns Over Congregate Care

The announcement of the new group home comes amidst ongoing scrutiny from plaintiffs in the landmark child welfare lawsuit known as Kevin S.. This case, which resulted in a 2020 settlement agreement, mandated significant reforms in New Mexico’s foster care system, including the establishment of a “trauma-responsive” care framework and improved behavioral health services.

Tara Ford, an attorney representing the plaintiffs, expressed alarm at the state’s decision to open another congregate care facility. “The state reportedly is continuing to spend money and time on developing yet another congregate care facility, despite knowledge that these facilities place children at grave risk of harm,” Ford stated during a recent hearing. She criticized the plans as a “commitment to failure” that could further harm vulnerable children.

The federal government has discouraged the use of congregate care settings, withdrawing funding for such facilities. Despite this, CYFD has defended its approach, arguing that the lack of available foster homes necessitates the use of group facilities. Thompson noted that without these homes, many children would be left without suitable accommodations, often forced to remain in CYFD offices, which he described as “even less ideal.”

Currently, the number of children staying in CYFD offices has ranged from 12 to 16 per day over the past month. Arbitrator Charles Peifer, who has been overseeing the Kevin S. case, acknowledged the state’s limited options, stating, “They’re doing it because they don’t have an alternative.”

In response to the ongoing crisis, Ford urged the state to prioritize proven solutions, such as expanding the treatment foster care capacity and enhancing support services that enable children to remain in home-like environments. The tragic deaths of two teens in state custody this year have prompted allegations of systemic failures within the foster care system, raising questions about the adequacy of current placements and resources.

Addressing the Needs of Vulnerable Youth

The recent suicides have reignited discussions on the adequacy of care provided to youth in congregate settings. A 17-year-old girl died in a foster home in Springer shortly after experiencing a stay in CYFD offices, further illustrating the systemic challenges. Reports have indicated that youths in these facilities often encounter fragmented care, with uncoordinated placement processes and insufficient therapeutic support.

Thompson assured that children at the new center will have access to counselors, therapists, and behavioral health specialists on-site. The local provider, Families & Youth Innovations Plus, will offer clinical support to youth residing in the facility. Additionally, arrangements will be made to transport children from outside Doña Ana County to their regular schools.

Concerns regarding the staffing levels in New Mexico’s child welfare system have also been highlighted. Rep. Eleanor Chávez, a Democrat from Albuquerque, emphasized the necessity of adequate staffing to provide the care children require. She pointed out that the boy who died in Albuquerque could have received better support had there been sufficient workforce resources dedicated to his care.

As CYFD prepares to move forward with its plans for the new group home, the agency faces the critical challenge of balancing immediate needs with long-term reforms. The implementation of effective solutions will be essential not only for the welfare of current foster children but also for the integrity of New Mexico’s child welfare system as a whole.