近距离内射合集

The state has attracted dozens of new foster families this year but plans a new hiring strategy to meet its goal of reducing social worker caseloads. It's called overhiring.

The update from the state Children, Youth and Families Department came Tuesday during a hearing before an arbitrator overseeing the state's compliance with a 6-year-old legal settlement aimed at improving conditions for children in state custody.

For several years, CYFD has failed to meet targets for increasing the number of nonrelative foster homes. This year, however, it met an interim 2026 goal by recruiting and licensing 73 new families by July 1.

The state also met its target of placing at least 50 abused or neglected children in its new Foster Care Plus program, which is designed for children who need more specialized treatment and care.

The 73 new licensees "are obviously good news," said Charles Peifer, an Albuquerque attorney serving as arbitrator between the state and a coalition of attorneys and advocacy groups pushing for child welfare reform in New Mexico.

But CYFD fell short of its goal of ensuring that 50% of caseworkers had lower caseloads. About 30% met caseload standards.

Brenda Donald, a child welfare expert hired last fall as CYFD's chief operating officer, said high caseloads contribute to worker burnout and turnover. Although the hiring process has become more streamlined, "the response from the field is, 'We're still drowning in caseload management,'" she told Peifer.

Donald said CYFD recently received permission from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to overhire staff and attorneys beyond this year's staffing plan. The move will reduce gaps between hiring and training and offset the delay before new employees assume full caseloads, she said.

To "move the needle in the next three months," Donald said CYFD also will deploy "floater units" to quickly fill staffing gaps in smaller New Mexico communities. The agency also will assign emergency response staff during periods of high demand.

Tara Ford, lead attorney for the plaintiffs in the Kevin S. case, praised the progress.

"These are not small things," Ford said. "They show that the state can execute when it treats commitment seriously. But progress in isolated pockets is not the same as a functioning system."

Although the state has continued hiring and training workers, with vacancy rates among protective services workers dropping from 28.4% in January 2025 to 19.2% in May, Ford said the number of children in state custody has increased.

CYFD reported 2,370 children in custody as of March 31, the latest figures available on the agency's public dashboard.

Ford attributed part of the increase to the governor's decision last year directing CYFD to take drug-exposed newborns into foster care until a judge determines whether they can safely remain at home.

With about five months remaining before Lujan Grisham leaves office, Peifer asked how CYFD and the Health Care Authority, which manages medical and behavioral healthcare for children in state custody, will handle the transition to a new administration.

"I do have concern with the change of administration coming up. For the kids who are served by CYFD, it's a big deal," Peifer said.

Cabinet secretaries, including acting CYFD Secretary Valerie Sandoval, a 27-year state employee, may not remain in the next administration.

Others, including Donald and CYFD Deputy Secretary Kathy Kunkel, were hired last fall as at-will exempt employees and also could be replaced.

Sandoval said her team has a plan for a smooth transition.

"We still have our foot on the gas," said Sandoval, who was promoted by the governor last fall. "I feel that we've made more progress in the last nine or 10 months than we have in several years, and we're still invested in that over the next five months."

CYFD is still struggling with oversight of children in residential treatment centers, reporting critical incidents, and the use of restraints, psychotropic medications and seclusion for children and youth with serious behavioral issues.

Ford acknowledged the uncertainty that comes with an incoming administration.

"I want to thank everybody for not taking your foot off the gas and for continuing to press on, because what we know for the children we represent is that their lives don't transition in that way. They really need you all to show up every day,鈥� Ford said.

The next update on the state's progress toward reform is scheduled for September.

Colleen Heild is an investigative reporter for the Journal. You can reach her at cheild@abqjournal.com.