A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT AND THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO CREATE AN INTERDEPARTMENTAL PLAN TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN OF INCARCERATED PARENTS AND THEIR CAREGIVERS.

WHEREAS, annually, at least five thousand New Mexico children have a parent or parents in prison; and

WHEREAS, these children are six to eight times more likely to be incarcerated themselves later in their lives; and

WHEREAS, the state has no system for recognizing and addressing the needs of children whose parents are incarcerated and whose plight is essentially invisible; and

WHEREAS, the majority of families caring for these children are living below the federal poverty level; and

WHEREAS, many of these children experience serious behavioral problems, but these problems are seldom identified and the children rarely receive necessary services; and

WHEREAS, often these children and families qualify for benefits, but receive them only on occasion; and

WHEREAS, being the child of an incarcerated parent is not a crime, but these children are often left in a state of neglect;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the children, youth and families department and the human services department be requested to convene a task force to create an interdepartmental plan to address the needs of children of incarcerated parents and their caregivers; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force include representatives from the department of health, the state department of public education, the corrections department, the state agency on aging, the public defender department, representatives from a statewide association of district court judges, detention center affiliates of a statewide association of counties, state and local law enforcement agencies, a statewide association of district attorneys, caregivers and advocates for children and families; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force develop a system for identifying and inventorying needs and services and the barriers to accessing those services; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force develop a coordinated system of evaluation and intake for all children of incarcerated parents; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force develop an integrated plan of service delivery, budgeting, performance measures and accountability; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force report progress and legislative recommendations to the interim legislative health and human services committee at its October 2003 meeting; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the children, youth and families department, the human services department, the department of health, the state department of public education, the corrections department, the state agency on aging, the public defender department, representatives from a statewide association of district court judges, detention center affiliates of a statewide association of counties, state and local law enforcement agencies, a statewide association of district attorneys, caregivers, advocates for children and families, the legislative health and human services committee and other appropriate groups.