HOUSE MEMORIAL 94

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2018

INTRODUCED BY

Rodolopho “Rudy” S. Martinez and Javier Martínez

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THAT A TASK FORCE BE EXTENDED TO STUDY AND RECOMMEND POLICY CHANGES TO EXPAND THE AVAILABILITY OF RESOURCES AND ASSISTANCE FOR GRANDPARENTS RAISING GRANDCHILDREN.

     WHEREAS, in 2014, the children, youth and families department published a study on the availability of resources to grandparents raising grandchildren, which study revealed a dearth of public services and resources available to grandparents raising grandchildren and, in particular, to grandparents who lack legal custody of their grandchildren; and

     WHEREAS, a task force was convened in 2015, 2016 and 2017 to study and recommend concrete policy changes that could be implemented to expand the availability of resources and assistance to grandparents raising grandchildren, including financial resources; legal services; and assistance with food, housing, medical care, child care, transportation and education; and

     WHEREAS, the task force delivered its recommendations in 2017 to the legislative finance committee; and

     WHEREAS, the task force recommended further study of the issue of placement of children with caregivers, including grandparents, by the children, youth and families department and the lack of information and support for those caregivers; and

     WHEREAS, the task force also recommended further study of the issue of the denial of public benefits to children being raised by grandparents and other caregivers due to inaccurate information from and lack of training of case managers at the income support division of the human services department; and

     WHEREAS, the recommendations included extending the task force for an additional year to continue its studies and refine its recommendations;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the task force, including members who represent New Mexico voices for children, Pegasus legal services for children, the New Mexico coalition of educational leaders, court appointed special advocates for children, the New Mexico parent-teacher association, parents reaching out, the AARP, disability rights New Mexico, the developmental disabilities planning council and Las Cumbres community services, incorporated; one representative each from the human services department, the children, youth and families department, the department of health, the children's court, the public education department, the aging and long-term services department and the office of the attorney general; and two members from the general public, be extended; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force study and recommend concrete policy changes that could be implemented to expand the availability of resources and assistance to grandparents raising grandchildren, including financial resources; legal services; food and housing assistance; and programs relating to medical care, child care, transportation and education; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the human services department, the children, youth and families department and the aging and long-term services department be requested to coordinate and provide staff support to the task force; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force report its findings and recommendations to the legislative health and human services committee and the legislative finance committee no later than November 2018; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of human services, the secretary of children, youth and families and the secretary of aging and long-term services.