Santa Fe,New mexico – Teresa Casados has resigned from her position as Secretary of New Mexico’s Children,Youth and Families Department (CYFD),Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced Friday. The departure follows a period of sustained criticism regarding the department’s handling of child welfare cases and reports of financial irregularities.
Leadership Transition Amidst Scrutiny
Table of Contents
- 1. Leadership Transition Amidst Scrutiny
- 2. Systemic Issues Remain a Concern
- 3. Legislative Response and Calls for Reform
- 4. The Ongoing Crisis in Child Welfare systems
- 5. Frequently Asked questions About the CYFD Situation
- 6. What specific allegations of mismanagement contributed to teh scrutiny of the CYFD and Secretary Trujillo’s resignation?
- 7. CYFD Secretary Resigns Amid Ongoing Scrutiny of State Agency’s Practices and Policies
- 8. Resignation Details and Immediate Aftermath
- 9. Key Issues Driving the scrutiny
- 10. Impact on Ongoing Reforms
- 11. Stakeholder Reactions and Future Outlook
- 12. Resources for Families and Advocates
Casados, who previously served as the Governor’s Chief Operating Officer, had been confirmed as CYFD Secretary in January 2024, following an interim period. Governor Lujan Grisham lauded Casados’ contributions, describing her as a “trusted partner” throughout her tenure. Casados herself expressed recognition for the possibility to lead the department, asserting confidence that the groundwork laid during her leadership would benefit New Mexico’s children and families going forward.
Systemic Issues Remain a Concern
Though, numerous advocates and political opponents contend that this change in leadership does not adequately address the fundamental issues plaguing the CYFD. The agency has been under intense public observation following tragic incidents involving children under its supervision, alongside allegations of significant financial mismanagement. Recent data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services shows that New Mexico consistently ranks among the states with the highest rates of child maltreatment.
Maralyn Beck, President of the New Mexico Child First Network, a prominent child welfare advocacy organization, voiced skepticism about the resignation, stating, “This isn’t something to celebrate. It suggests the Governor views this as a public relations issue rather than addressing the core problems.” Beck characterized Casados’ exit as part of a pattern of frequent leadership changes at the CYFD, highlighting concerns that efforts to improve the system have been largely superficial.
Legislative Response and Calls for Reform
Republican lawmakers have echoed these anxieties, particularly following a series of highly publicized child fatality cases involving children in CYFD care. Senator Crystal Brantley emphasized the need to reassess the department’s prioritization of reunification efforts, noting, “As long as the agency continues to prioritize reunification of children, sometimes returning them into the risky and broken homes they were removed from, we will never see great successes.”
Governor Lujan Grisham has scheduled a special legislative session for October 1. Advocacy groups, including the New Mexico Child First Network, are urging legislators to prioritize extensive CYFD reform during this session. They emphasize that considerable intervention is vital to ensure the safety and well-being of vulnerable children in the state.
| key Figure | Role |
|---|---|
| Teresa Casados | Former CYFD Secretary |
| Michelle Lujan Grisham | Governor of New Mexico |
| Maralyn Beck | President, New Mexico Child First Network |
| Crystal Brantley | State Senator |
Did you Know? New Mexico’s child poverty rate is among the highest in the nation, which places additional stress on the state’s child welfare systems.
Pro Tip: To learn more about child welfare issues and advocacy, visit the website of the National Center for Youth Law: https://www.youthlaw.org/
What systemic changes do you believe are most crucial for improving the CYFD’s effectiveness? How can the state better support vulnerable children and families in New mexico?
The Ongoing Crisis in Child Welfare systems
Across the United States, child welfare agencies are grappling with increasing caseloads, limited resources, and complex challenges. Factors such as poverty, substance abuse, and domestic violence contribute to the demand for services. Ensuring adequate funding, improving training for caseworkers, and fostering collaboration between agencies are crucial steps toward strengthening child welfare systems nationwide. The Annie E. Casey Foundation provides valuable data and research on child well-being and family support: https://www.aecf.org/
Frequently Asked questions About the CYFD Situation
- What is the primary concern regarding the CYFD? The main concern revolves around systemic issues leading to inadequate child protection and alleged financial mismanagement.
- Who is Maralyn Beck? Maralyn Beck is the President of the New Mexico Child First Network, a key advocacy group for child welfare.
- When is the special legislative session scheduled? The special legislative session is scheduled to begin on October 1.
- What is the Governor’s stance on the CYFD situation? The Governor has expressed support for the agency while acknowledging the need for improvement.
- What reforms are being proposed for the CYFD? advocates are urging for comprehensive reforms, including improved caseworker training and a reassessment of reunification priorities.
- What is the role of Senator Crystal Brantley? Senator Brantley is a Republican lawmaker who has expressed concerns about the CYFD’s prioritization of reunification efforts.
- How does New Mexico compare to other states in terms of child maltreatment? New Mexico consistently ranks among the states with the highest rates of child maltreatment.
Share your thoughts on this developing story in the comments below. Let’s discuss how new Mexico can better protect its most vulnerable citizens.
What specific allegations of mismanagement contributed to teh scrutiny of the CYFD and Secretary Trujillo’s resignation?
CYFD Secretary Resigns Amid Ongoing Scrutiny of State Agency’s Practices and Policies
Resignation Details and Immediate Aftermath
New Mexico’s Children, Youth, and Families Department (CYFD) is facing a period of meaningful upheaval following the resignation of secretary Bernadine “Bernie” Trujillo. The resignation, announced on September 5th, 2025, comes amidst escalating concerns regarding the agency’s handling of child welfare cases, foster care system challenges, and allegations of systemic failures.Governor Lujan Grisham has appointed Deputy Secretary Angelina Gomez as interim secretary, effective immediately. This leadership transition occurs during a critical juncture for the CYFD, which is already grappling with a court-ordered overhaul of it’s services.
Key Issues Driving the scrutiny
Several interconnected issues have contributed to the intense scrutiny of the CYFD and ultimately, Secretary Trujillo’s departure. These include:
Foster Care Crisis: New Mexico has consistently struggled with a shortage of foster homes, leading to children being placed in inappropriate or temporary settings, including sleeping in CYFD offices. This situation has been exacerbated by a rise in the number of children entering the foster care system due to parental substance abuse and neglect.
Lawsuit and Court Oversight: A landmark lawsuit filed in 2023, Yazzie v. State of New Mexico,highlighted systemic failures in providing adequate educational and mental health services to native American children within the state’s systems. The resulting court order mandated significant reforms to CYFD practices.
Allegations of mismanagement: Reports surfaced throughout 2024 detailing allegations of mismanagement within the CYFD, including concerns about data accuracy, case worker caseloads, and the timely processing of background checks for foster parents.
Increased Child Fatalities: A concerning increase in child fatalities linked to families involved with CYFD has fueled public outrage and demands for accountability. Investigations into these cases have revealed potential lapses in oversight and intervention.
Funding and Resource Allocation: critics argue that the CYFD has been chronically underfunded, hindering its ability to effectively address the growing needs of vulnerable children and families. Questions have been raised about how existing funds are allocated and whether they are being used efficiently.
Impact on Ongoing Reforms
Secretary Trujillo’s resignation casts a shadow over the ongoing reforms mandated by the Yazzie settlement. The court-appointed monitor, overseeing the implementation of these reforms, expressed concern that the leadership change could disrupt progress. Key areas of reform include:
- Improved data Collection: Implementing a robust data system to accurately track child welfare cases and identify trends.
- enhanced Case Worker Training: Providing thorough training to case workers on trauma-informed care, cultural sensitivity, and best practices in child welfare.
- Increased Foster Care Capacity: Expanding the number of licensed foster homes and providing support services to foster families.
- Strengthened Collaboration: Fostering greater collaboration between CYFD, schools, healthcare providers, and tribal communities.
- Autonomous Investigations: Establishing an independent investigative unit to thoroughly review child fatalities and near-fatalities.
Stakeholder Reactions and Future Outlook
The resignation has elicited a range of reactions from stakeholders. Advocacy groups representing children and families have called for a thorough investigation into the issues plaguing the CYFD and a commitment to meaningful reform. Tribal leaders have expressed concerns about the continued disproportionate representation of Native American children in the foster care system.
State legislators have vowed to hold hearings to examine the CYFD’s practices and policies. Several lawmakers have proposed legislation to increase funding for the agency and strengthen oversight mechanisms.
The appointment of Angelina Gomez as interim secretary is seen by some as a positive step, given her long-standing experience within the CYFD. Though, she faces a daunting task in restoring public trust and addressing the systemic challenges facing the agency. The coming months will be critical in determining whether the CYFD can effectively implement the necessary reforms and ensure the safety and well-being of New Mexico’s most vulnerable children.
Resources for Families and Advocates
CYFD Website: https://www.cyfd.org/ (Official facts and resources)
New Mexico Children’s Law Center: https://www.nmchildrenslaw.org/ (Legal advocacy for children)
New Mexico Coalition of Children’s Rights: https://nmccr.org/ (Advocacy and support for children and families)
* Childhelp USA: 1-800-422-4453 (National child abuse hotline)