HM 59

1A MEMORIAL
2  REQUESTING THE CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT TO
3  CONDUCT A STUDY TO DETERMINE FAIR COMPENSATION FOR FOSTER
4  PARENTS.
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6WHEREAS, hundreds of New Mexicans serve the state and
7  its children as foster care parents and resource families for
8  children in the custody of the children, youth and families
9  department; and
10      WHEREAS, foster care parents and resource families
11 provide children in their care with unconditional love and
12 support, emotional safety, educational opportunities,
13 stability and, in many instances, the opportunity to be
14 children without the burden of adult responsibilities; and
15      WHEREAS, children in foster care rely on their foster
16 parents and resource families to accept them for who they are
17 and where they come from and to provide the necessary support
18 and encouragement to set goals for their futures and to
19 believe in the power of their dreams; and
20      WHEREAS, foster care parents and resource families open
21 their homes, hearts and lives to children who need love and
22 support while maintaining respect for, and fostering
23 connections to, the children's cultural communities and
24 religions; and
25      WHEREAS, foster care parents and resource families  HM 59
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1  selflessly bestow opportunities for educational, emotional,
2  mental and physical growth to the children in their care so
3  that each child is treated with dignity and respect, while
4  preparing the children to be confident, respectful,
5  responsible and self-sufficient adults; and
6WHEREAS, despite their dedication and service to the
7  state's most vulnerable children, foster care parents and
8  resource families in New Mexico can incur substantial
9  personal expenses as a result of providing care for children
10 in the custody of the children, youth and families
11 department;
12      NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF
13 REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the children,
14 youth and families department be requested to conduct a study
15 into fair compensation, including a cost-of-living allowance,
16 for foster parents in New Mexico and to report its
17 conclusions and recommendations to the legislative health and
18 human services committee by November 30, 2026; and
19      BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be
20 transmitted to the secretary of children, youth and families
21 and the legislative health and human services committee.
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