The New Mexico Children, Youth & Families Department (CYFD) has announced its support for Senate Bill 42, which aims to address gaps in the state's system for supporting substance-exposed infants and families. This announcement was made in a press release on February 21.
According to the press release, Senate Bill 42, sponsored by Senator Michael Padilla and Representative Gail Armstrong, received unanimous approval from the Senate Rules Committee. The bill proposes shifting the administration of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) from CYFD to the Department of Health. This change is intended to improve family support services through enhanced interagency collaboration. The bill seeks to strengthen child safety, improve engagement with services, and modernize CARA procedures. It will now proceed to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
The New Mexico Legislature states that Senate Bill 42 also updates requirements for Plans of Safe Care and establishes rulemaking provisions.
"This isn't simply about moving programs between departments; it's about fundamentally improving how we protect New Mexico's children," said CYFD Secretary Teresa Casados in the press release. "We've identified where children are most at risk of being missed by our current system, and we're creating real solutions through enhanced collaboration between agencies. By creating better synergy between executive agencies, we're building a stronger safety net for New Mexico's most vulnerable children. The legislation gives us powerful tools to identify at-risk families and deliver life-changing support when it matters most."
The CYFD works to support children, youth, and families by focusing on their resilience and involvement in systems affecting their lives. According to its website, the department envisions a New Mexico where all children, youth, and families are healthy, safe, thriving, and connected to their culture and community. Its mission includes nurturing family strength, building partnerships with communities, and addressing disparities.
