Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has issued an executive order prohibiting children in state custody from sleeping overnight in government offices. The ban, announced Monday, responds to situations where children had no available foster or residential placements and were housed temporarily in Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) offices.
The new policy takes effect March 1. From that date, CYFD must ensure all youth are placed in appropriate care settings rather than offices.
“Children who have experienced trauma deserve safety, stability and dignity — not sleeping in offices,” said Governor Lujan Grisham. “This executive order makes clear that New Mexico will not accept anything less than appropriate care for children in our custody.”
Office stays occurred after emergency removals, when agencies could not keep sibling groups together, when treatment facilities discharged youth without other placements, or when older youth refused available options. Placement shortages continued despite efforts to recruit more foster families and community partners.
Acting Secretary Valerie Sandoval of CYFD reported that the department has expanded partnerships with providers and created transitional programs. As of January 16, CYFD stopped new office stays and is relocating remaining youth into suitable placements, aiming for full elimination by March.
“This executive order reflects the standard our children deserve and the responsibility we carry as a department,” said Valerie Sandoval. “We have taken decisive steps to stop office stays, and we will continue working with providers, caregivers, and partners across state government to ensure every child in our care has a safe and appropriate place to stay.”
Governor Lujan Grisham added: “This is about accountability and urgency. The work is already underway, and this order ensures it continues — not just now, but into the future.”
The executive order instructs CYFD to increase collaboration with service providers, other agencies, and community organizations to improve placement capacity and prevent future instances of children staying overnight in offices.
The New Mexico State Executive also manages public engagement through appointment applications and handles requests for assistance or records as part of its role within the state’s executive branch (https://www.governor.state.nm.us/). The office operates from Room 400 on the fourth floor of the New Mexico State Capitol at 490 Old Santa Fe Trail in Santa Fe (https://www.governor.state.nm.us/).
A copy of Executive Order 2026-003 is available online.