SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 3

51st legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2014

INTRODUCED BY

Michael Padilla

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THAT THE CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT REPORT TO THE INTERIM LEGISLATIVE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE ON ISSUES RELATED TO FOSTER CARE.

     WHEREAS, hundreds of New Mexico's children are in need of short-term or long-term foster care; and

     WHEREAS, the children, youth and families department is charged with administering child protective services, including foster care; and

     WHEREAS, ensuring that foster homes provide a safe and healthy home environment is critical to the well-being and healthy development of New Mexico's foster children;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the children, youth and families department be requested to prepare a report on foster care in the state; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the report include the following information:

          A. the limit, if any, on the number of foster children that may be placed in a single foster home at one time;

          B. the average number of foster children per foster home;

          C. the largest number of foster children that have been placed in a single foster home at one time;

          D. the average number of foster homes into which foster children are placed during the time those children are in the care of the children, youth and families department;

          E. over the past ten years, the highest number of foster home placements made for a single foster child;

          F. how foster homes for emergency foster placements are identified and selected;

          G. the children, youth and families department's current plan for identifying and certifying foster families;

          H. the last date on which the standards for certifying a foster home were updated;

          I. all behavioral health concerns that have been identified over the past ten years among foster children; and

          J. information and data from the past ten years regarding foster children after they reach the age of eighteen; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the children, youth and families department present the report to the interim legislative health and human services committee by November 2014; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of children, youth and families.

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