Santa Fe, NM (KKOB) – The Children, Youth and Families Department is pushing back against a critical report released by the New Mexico Attorney General.
In a statement issued Tuesday, CYFD said the report underplays progress made over the past seven months, including hiring nearly 250 new staff, reducing caseloads, and ending the practice of children staying overnight in agency offices.
CYFD officials said they were not given advance access to the report before its release and noted they had already begun addressing the systemic issues identified by investigators. The department also disputed claims that it overuses congregate care or puts reunification ahead of child safety, saying most children are placed in family settings.
CYFD says it remains committed to protecting children and improving services statewide.
