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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T

SPONSOR Gonzales

DATE TYPED 2/26/05

HB 599

SHORT TITLE Taos Family Strengthening Services

SB

ANALYST Hadwiger

APPROPRIATION

(in $000s)

Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY05

FY06

FY05

FY06

$191.2

Recurring General Fund

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Department of Finance and Administration (DFA)

Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of Bill

House Bill 599 appropriates $191,237 from the general fund to the Department of Finance and

Administration (DFA) in FY06 to contract for family strengthening services and to help families

in crisis in Taos County.

Significant Issues

With enactment of HB599, the Local Government Division of DFA will act as the flow-through

agent for the appropriation. In fiscal year 2005, the Taos County District Attorney's office began

a new program entitled Family Justice Centers which focused on assisting families exposed to or

affected by family violence. The Community of Taos requested the D.A. to expand its role from

prosecutions and provide prevention and intervention services. This involved among other

things, having a facility staffed by "family advocates" that could assess the family's needs and

thereafter provide specific treatment at the Center. Seed monies were provided from a state ap-

propriation ($25,000), City of Taos & Taos County ($60,000-80,000), McCune Foundation

($15,000) and some administrative monies from a teen driving program. The DA’s office estab-

House Bill 599 -- Page 2

lished a JPA to begin the program and will establish another to contract for necessary counseling

services.

CYFD indicated it is responsible for providing similar services statewide. Family strengthening

programs are needed in each New Mexico county. Because CYFD may be unaware of the ser-

vices acquired through this appropriation, there is the potential for duplication of services.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

The appropriation of $191,237 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund.

Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY06 would revert to the

general fund.

ALTERNATIVES

DFA suggested that HB-599 could be amended to have the appropriation flow-through the NM

Health Department instead of the NM Department of Finance and Administration's Local Gov-

ernment Division. Additionally, perhaps the NM Health Department could partner with the Taos

District Attorney's office & the City and County of Taos to discuss if similar programs presently

exist via the NM Health Department that could be used by Taos County.

DH/lg