Anne Doherty, founder of The Family Month Project, has expressed support for the proposed $7,000 adoption tax credit in New Mexico's House Bill 207. "The proposed $7,000 adoption tax credit in New Mexico’s HB 207 would alleviate financial concerns for prospective adoptive parents," Doherty said to the New Mexico Sun on February 27.
"As an adoptive parent myself, I can't think of anything more helpful to children longing for a family," said Doherty. "We were happy to sacrifice. But it would've been great to know we had that support going in. The truth is parents are human, and first time parents, which so many adoptive parents are, can be fearful."
House Bill 207 aims to expand the existing income tax credit for adopting special needs children to encompass all adoptions while increasing the credit from $1,500 to $7,000 per child annually. According to legislative documents, this refundable credit would apply each year the child qualifies as a dependent for federal tax purposes and could potentially reduce state revenue by $9.2 million to $19.2 million annually.
New Mexico's foster care system had 1,996 children in care as of December 2023, following a peak of 2,052 in September 2023. This indicates ongoing challenges in providing stable homes and support for at-risk youth. Advocates have highlighted the urgency of addressing systemic issues within the New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department (CYFD) to prevent more children from entering the system.
According to Koat reports, CYFD is under scrutiny for not implementing court-ordered reforms aimed at improving foster care placements, education, and healthcare for children. A recent report points out ongoing failures in meeting the needs of vulnerable youth despite previous commitments to change. Advocates argue that CYFD's shortcomings continue to put children at risk and are calling for increased oversight and accountability.
The Child Welfare Outcomes Report reveals that adoption rates have fluctuated over the past five years. The number of children adopted dropped from 297 in 2018 to 203 in 2022, marking a 32% decline. In 2022, most adopted children were Hispanic (64.5%) and White (22.2%), with Alaska Native/American Indian children constituting 4.4% of adoptions.
The Family Month Project is a movement dedicated to raising awareness and fostering recognition of Family Month—the period between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day acknowledged by Congress in 1998. The organization promotes family appreciation, strengthens bonds, and encourages learning about family origins and traditions.
