Substitute Care Advisory Council (Council)

The purpose of the Council is to provide a permanent system for independent and objective monitoring of children placed in the custody of the NM Children, Youth & Families Department (CYFD) by examining the policies, procedures and practices of CYFD, and where appropriate, specific cases to evaluate the extent to which CYFD is effectively discharging its child protection responsibilities.

Council Responsibilities, Meetings, Annual Reports, Advisory Committee & Council StaffFY 23 Report

What is Substitute Care?

The legal definition of substitute care ‘refers to any kind of custodial or residential care for a child that is ordered or otherwise sanctioned by the court, and in which a child does not continue to live with either of the birth parents’.

Featured Forums

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

Research shows a strong correlation between childhood experiences and adult health and well-being.

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New Mexico By the Numbers

New Mexico ranks 50th in the nation for overall child well-being.

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Legal

A child in substitute care is a civil matter.

Child Trauma

Trauma has both immediate and long-term effects on children.

Prevention of Child Maltreatment

Child maltreatment is preventable.

The Council’s meeting for  Friday 08 March 2024 is rescheduled to April 2024. Please check back here for the meeting notice.

For more information contact Shelly Bucher at shelly.bucher@rld.nm.gov or 505.469.4781.