Disability Rights New Mexico has been a named plaintiff and part of the litigation team in the Kevin S. lawsuit to secure access to behavioral health treatment for kids in the custody of the state of New Mexico. Collectively we have reached an innovative settlement with the Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) and Human Services Department (HSD). DRNM is pleased to see that the goals in the agreement include increasing collaboration among child-serving agencies led by CYFD and HSD. The commitment to building a coordinated system of care that includes a wide array of services to eligible children in state custody throughout New Mexico is vital to their well-being. We hope that this will result in a statewide system which is necessary to ensure that all children in state custody and their families have prompt access to necessary services regardless of where they live. More information can be found at the link below.

https://kevinssettlement.com/the-settlement/

New York Times Article:  New Mexico Agrees to Revamp its 'Broken' Foster Care System https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/26/us/new-mexico-foster-care-lawsuit.html?referringSource=articleShare

State of New Mexico Press Release: https://cyfd.org/news-events/news/state-of-new-mexico-reaches-innovative-settlement-agreement-with-foster-youth-and-child-advocates

Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham has declared a state of public health emergency in New Mexico as a result of the novel coronavirus disease (also known as COVID-19). In the midst of this unprecedented public health crisis, the negative impact to the economy has caused many individuals and families to suffer severe financial difficulties. The state and private companies have taken measures to mitigate financial hardship and the state is diligently working to identify additional sources of relief and to advocate for a full measure of federal support.

https://www.newmexico.gov/i-need-assistance/

Disability Rights New Mexico's offices are closed to the public because of the Novel Coronavirus-COVID-19.  However, we are still operational and providing services to current clients and reviewing new requests for services.  All trainings and Special Education Clinics have been postponed.  We will update you when our offices will become open to the public and rescheduling of trainings.