Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced that the Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) in New Mexico has ended the practice of placing children overnight in CYFD offices. The department has now placed all affected children in safe and appropriate settings after developing a new system to secure placements for those in its care.
“Every child in New Mexico deserves a safe place to sleep, a caring adult nearby, and a real shot at a better future,” Governor Lujan Grisham said. “We owed it to these kids to make it happen, and now overnight office stays for children in CYFD’s care are a thing of the past. I’m proud of CYFD’s staff and every partner who stepped up to turn my executive order into reality.”
The governor issued an executive order on January 19 stating that no child under CYFD custody should stay overnight in any department office effective March 1. The last instance of such an overnight stay occurred on February 12. The order directed that children be placed in environments designed for their care and supervision—such as foster homes, kinship care arrangements, shelters, or transitional facilities—and instructed CYFD to work with providers, agencies, and community organizations to secure suitable placements.
Valerie Sandoval, Acting Secretary of CYFD, expressed appreciation for the department’s staff: “We are deeply grateful to our staff who offered care and comfort to children staying in our offices — they are champions,” Sandoval said. “We also are grateful to the many partners who have stepped up to help place children in safe and appropriate settings. We will continue collaborating with them to ensure that every child we engage with receives the care and services they deserve.”
In previous years, reducing office stays was difficult for CYFD. However, this recent effort succeeded due to collaboration between state leadership—including Governor Lujan Grisham’s directive—and critical partners across sectors.
During the winter holidays there were as many as 30 children spending nights at CYFD offices. This number steadily decreased throughout January and February as most children were placed either with families or appropriately reunified with their own families while receiving additional support services when needed.
Children requiring higher levels of care—including those with significant emotional or medical needs—were matched with suitable treatment programs or services. For youth temporarily housed in group settings (congregate care), efforts continue daily to find more fitting placement options.
CYFD formed a cross-agency steering committee led by Chief Operating Officer Brenda Donald that included divisions such as Protective Services, Behavioral Health, Juvenile Justice, Family Services and Fostering Connections. Through intensive meetings involving youth themselves along with family members, legal representatives, state agencies like HCA and DOH, providers such as Presbyterian Health Services—and using Individualized Planning Process facilitators—the department secured stable placements along with necessary services for each child.
Providers have responded by proposing solutions including sub-acute units for step-down placements; stabilization centers; residential treatment centers based within New Mexico; and expanded developmental disability services.
After placement into homes or shelters—whether foster or group-based—CYFD continues regular check-ins focused on safety assessments and ongoing service needs so that all involved can succeed.
Recruitment of new foster parents is another focus area alongside expansion of Foster Care+ initiatives and strengthening networks among treatment foster care providers.
The New Mexico State Executive facilitates public engagement through appointment applications and manages requests related to assistance or records from its headquarters at the State Capitol building (official website). Under Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s leadership (official website), priorities include education advancement, economic development initiatives supporting administrative goals (official website), career promotion within public service (official website), community sustainability efforts (official website), all focusing operations specifically on New Mexico residents (official website).