NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – The New Mexico Department of Children, Youth and Families has been under fire for years, for failing to protect the state’s most vulnerable children. A researcher shared with CYFD and lawmakers the many ways she believes the agency’s own systems and processes could be failing kids.
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“It has become so abundantly clear to me we can just so much better; we need to start thinking about data as a workforce intervention alongside along the other initiatives we may need,” said Emily Putnam-Hornstein. Tough words from a professor and researcher in child welfare.
At a Legislative Finance Committee, Emily Putnam Hornstein told state lawmakers and CYFD leadership that CYFD’s systems and processes are outdated.
She said other states and cities are using advanced technologies and data have shown to reduce child deaths and help prevent child welfare agency failures. She claims that using advanced data would help CYFD workers handle cases more efficiently. “I think a lot of states and counties are adopting this slowly, but in my mind, it is the only way to go,” said Putnam Hornstein.
Under scrutiny from lawmakers, CYFD gave lawmakers an inside look at how the agency handles nearly 40,000 phone calls a year. Those calls are reports of suspected child abuse and neglect, and CYFD has its own system to decide if they will open an investigation. “It’s not just the worker making the determination by themselves, it’s staff with the supervisor, and they communicate this is what I think, this is what I heard, this is what the tool says, I agree with it,” said Acting CYFD Secretary Valerie Sandoval.
She said 55% of calls are investigated by CYFD, and all are shared with law enforcement. With intense public pressure to reform CYFD, several lawmakers showed interest in exploring the upgrades promoted at a meeting. “I think we are so far behind, quite frankly, for New Mexico children and families to understand if there are any potential gaps in the foundation that is being built,” said Sen. Nicole Tobiassen (R-Albuquerque).
