A signed executive order will ban the practice of in-state custody children sleeping overnight in New Mexico government buildings.The order, signed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, states no children may sleep in a Children, Youth and Families Department office under any circumstances. Your neighborhood: Local news from KOAT Action 7 NewsIt goes into effect at the beginning of March and Lujan Grisham said the state will now be providing appropriate custodial care.”Children who have experienced trauma deserve safety, stability and dignity — not sleeping in offices,” Lujan Grisham said. “This executive order makes clear that New Mexico will not accept anything less than appropriate care for children in our custody.”Children placed in CYFD custody have slept in state offices following emergency removals for several reasons previously. Some were attributed to when state agencies could not place sibling groups together, when treatment facilities discharged children without available placements or when older youth refused other options.Placement option shortages have continued in New Mexico, according to the Office of the Governor. The order directs CYFD to expand its collaboration with other agencies, providers and community organizations to increase its placement capacity to prevent overnight office stays.It was signed into law by Lujan Grisham on Monday, Jan. 19.Action 7 News On The Go: Download our app for free
A signed executive order will ban the practice of in-state custody children sleeping overnight in New Mexico government buildings.
The order, signed by Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, states no children may sleep in a Children, Youth and Families Department office under any circumstances.
Your neighborhood: Local news from KOAT Action 7 News
It goes into effect at the beginning of March and Lujan Grisham said the state will now be providing appropriate custodial care.
“Children who have experienced trauma deserve safety, stability and dignity — not sleeping in offices,” Lujan Grisham said. “This executive order makes clear that New Mexico will not accept anything less than appropriate care for children in our custody.”
Children placed in CYFD custody have slept in state offices following emergency removals for several reasons previously. Some were attributed to when state agencies could not place sibling groups together, when treatment facilities discharged children without available placements or when older youth refused other options.
Placement option shortages have continued in New Mexico, according to the Office of the Governor. The order directs CYFD to expand its collaboration with other agencies, providers and community organizations to increase its placement capacity to prevent overnight office stays.
It was signed into law by Lujan Grisham on Monday, Jan. 19.
Action 7 News On The Go: Download our app for free
