NMCYFD Secretary acknowledges department's shortcomings, says changes are being made
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – The woman taking over the New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department is inheriting a troubled department. For years, CYFD has routinely failed to protect New Mexico's children from abuse and neglect. Secretary Teresa Casados is acknowledging CYFD's problems while trying to forge a new path.
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Lawmakers unleashed on her this Legislative session over the deaths of children, some during her tenure, that they say could have been prevented. 'I took on this role to lead this and knew that there would be criticisms based on, you know, the role in general. And I don't take those personally,' said Casados.
Casados said she knows her agency is broken. 'But I think we also have an opportunity that we missed, and that's in bringing people together to really solve the problem…'Not what people are talking about that aren't working in that day in and day out, but let's focus on the problems and focus on finding a solution, and then all come together to work towards that. I think that's what's going to change the department and change the outcomes that we're seeing. And until we can do that, I don't think any amount of legislation, you can't legislate your way out of a situation,' said Casados.
Casados said it starts with prevention, which is why she bolstered support for families struggling with situations that could lead to abuse or neglect. 'It really gives them the ability to get stabilization for what they need, right, and without removing kids, and being able to keep that unit together and support that mom. You know, there may be times when temporarily we have to remove them so they can get stabilized, but this really gives them an opportunity to get back on their feet.'
Deputy Secretary Kathey Phoenix-Doyle leads the Behavioral Health and Family Services Divisions. 'We had a young mom, two children, and she found herself in a situation where she didn't, she was homeless because of a domestic violence incident that had occurred, and she was protecting her children, her young children, and she's like, I just, I need help. I'm young, you know, she didn't know about resources. She didn't have a family who could back her up,' said Phoenix-Doyle.
CYFD has added four family resource centers around the state, and even a mobile one. They have served 800 families so far, and the numbers are growing. 'The important part is not handing them just a brochure with a lot of numbers. It's to say, I'm going to help you until we get you connected to that community resource you may be needing,' said Phoenix-Doyle.
Casados said, 'You don't have to do life alone. There are some difficult situations that everyone faces one time or another, and there are people to walk through it with you.'
Lawmakers did pass House Bill 5, which would create an Office of Child Advocacy within the New Mexico Department of Justice to oversee CYFD. A move which the secretary welcomes.
April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. If someone suspects a child is being abused, it can be reported by dialing #SAFE or calling 855-333-7233. Reports can also be made by texting 505-591-4444. CYFD is also holding more than 30 events across the state. To access the resources CYFD offers, click this link.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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