SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 14

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

INTRODUCED BY

Richard C. Martinez

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE SECRETARY OF CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES TO STUDY THE AVAILABILITY OF RESOURCES AND ASSISTANCE FOR GRANDPARENTS WITH LIMITED INCOMES WHO ARE RAISING THEIR GRANDCHILDREN.

     WHEREAS, grandparents in New Mexico are increasingly undertaking the challenges and joys of raising their grandchildren when parents are unable, for a variety of reasons, to raise their own children; and

     WHEREAS, grandparents raising grandchildren often confront significant financial hardship in taking on the full-time care of their grandchildren; and

     WHEREAS, grandparents raising grandchildren frequently find themselves living in poverty and struggling to care for their grandchildren; and

     WHEREAS, grandparents raising grandchildren are often faced with their own health issues, which can further exacerbate difficult financial circumstances; and

     WHEREAS, grandparents raising grandchildren may face barriers to formal adoption or guardianship of their grandchildren, such as the lack of affordable legal assistance; and

     WHEREAS, grandparents raising grandchildren often have difficulty navigating government and community support systems for their grandchildren because they lack the authority to make legal decisions on behalf of their grandchildren; and

     WHEREAS, grandparents raising grandchildren are often ineligible for the financial resources that are available to foster care providers; and

     WHEREAS, it is the policy of the state that a child should be raised by family members or kinship caregivers whenever possible; and

     WHEREAS, grandparents raising grandchildren should have access to the tools and resources that are needed to nurture their grandchildren and ensure that they reach their full potential; and

     WHEREAS, Las Cumbres community services, inc., is an organization that provides ongoing services for grandparents through an active support group, statewide conferences and other services that address the issues and struggles being faced by grandparents raising grandchildren; and

     WHEREAS, despite the existence of community support organizations such as Las Cumbres community services, inc., there remains an unmet need for financial, legal and community resources to support grandparents who have undertaken the responsibility of caring for their grandchildren;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the secretary of children, youth and families be requested to conduct a study of the situation faced by grandparents raising grandchildren in the state; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study should include an examination of issues affecting custody and guardianship and the availability of resources and assistance, including financial resources; legal services; food and housing assistance; community-based support organizations, such as Las Cumbres community services, inc.; and programs related to medical care, transportation and education; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study should incorporate input from the human services department and the public education department; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the results of the study be reported to the legislative health and human services committee by October 2014; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the children, youth and families department, the human services department, the public education department and the legislative health and human services committee.

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