HOUSE MEMORIAL 10

56th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2024

INTRODUCED BY

Tara Jaramillo and Eleanor Ch vez and Meredith A. Dixon

and Harry Garcia and Gail Armstrong

 

 

 

 

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THAT A JOINT TASK FORCE BE CONVENED BY THE CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT AND THE HEALTH CARE AUTHORITY DEPARTMENT TO MAKE IMMEDIATE AND LONG-TERM STRATEGY RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE LEGISLATURE TO SOLVE THE ACUTE CRISIS OF FOSTER CHILDREN SLEEPING IN STATE OFFICE BUILDINGS.

 

     WHEREAS, foster children in state custody are sleeping in children, youth and families department office buildings; and

     WHEREAS, these foster children are living in unsafe offices because the state is unable to find appropriate placements for these children, many of whom are older and have behavioral and mental health issues; and

     WHEREAS, children, youth and families department employees, with limited resources, try their best to find foster homes and treatment programs where these children can thrive;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that a joint task force be convened by the children, youth and families department and the health care authority department to help remedy the minimal behavioral health services and residential treatment facilities for older foster youth; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the joint task force identify methods to recruit and retain trauma-informed foster parents who can care for older youth with mental and behavioral challenges; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the joint task force make immediate and long-term strategy recommendations to the legislature to solve the acute crisis of foster children sleeping in state office buildings; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of children, youth and families, the secretary of health care authority and the governor.

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