The proposed bill establishes the "Foster Care Plus Pilot Project" within the Children, Youth and Families Department, aimed at enhancing support for children in state custody and their families in specific counties, including Dona Ana, Chaves, San Juan, McKinley, Bernalillo, Santa Fe, and Eddy. This three-year pilot project will provide in-home or home-like placements, short-term stabilization support, and crisis response services. The project will be developed and implemented in collaboration with the Health Care Authority and will utilize evidence-based treatment models to address the acute behavioral and mental health needs of participating children. Key components of the project include 24-hour crisis intervention, in-home therapy, and parent training, along with financial incentives for placement providers to expand options for children requiring specialized care.

Additionally, the bill outlines eligibility requirements for participation in the pilot project, prioritizing children with a history of frequent placements or those needing higher levels of therapeutic support. It includes provisions for specialized incentive tracks for children with acute behavioral needs, those over twelve, sibling groups, and those requiring short-term stabilization. The bill also appropriates $2.5 million from the general fund for the project's implementation and mandates annual reporting on its performance and outcomes to relevant legislative committees.