The New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department provides an array of prevention, intervention, rehabilitative and after-care services to New Mexico children and their families. These include Protective services such as Adoptions or Child Abuse & Neglect, and Early Childhood Services. Juvenile justice services can provide access to Reintegration Centers and Facilities. Behavioral health services include Domestic Violence and Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health.

ARCA is a non-profit organization that provides opportunities for individuals with intellectual, developmental, and cognitive disabilities to enjoy great lives. ARCA provides customized opportunities for individuals with intellectual, developmental, and cognitive disabilities to live, work and enjoy rich recreational experiences in valued community roles. Services include Acquired Brain Injury Services, Independent Living, Supported Living, Family Living, InterCare Living, Meaningful day Program, Supported Employment, ARCA Janitorial Services, La Paloma Greenhouse, SMART Living Program, Health Services, Health Promotion Initiatives, Foster Care, Prader-Willi Syndrome Project, and Respite.

Casa North – Transitional Living for Young Adults (TLYA) is a CYFD funded program that provides residential and scattered site services for youth ages 16-23. Priority is given to youth that are in CYFD custody and in the Fostering Connections program; involved with juvenile justice and/or tribal social services. Community referrals are accepted but must be cleared for acceptance by CYFD. YDI utilizes a One Site Model (located in Rio Rancho, NM) with a 24 hour supervised home setting that can house up to five (5) youths at a time and a Scattered Site Model which is comprised of leased apartments in the community for another five (5) youths. Services include: assessment, individual therapy; case management; educational assistance; employment assistance; life and social skills training; independent living skills training and linkage to other resources. Additional priority will be given to youth referred to the program that are high needs youth, who are considered to be at the greatest risk of homelessness.

Casa Hermosa is a residential transitional living services program for youth ages 16-21 who are runaway, homeless, or aging out of state custody (foster or institutional care). The program consists of eligible residential services up to 12 months, with a 6-month aftercare program to follow, for a total of 18 months. Casa Hermosa operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year in a staff-supervised apartment setting. The program offers the following services: crisis intervention, assessment, counseling/therapy, recreational activities, life and social skills training, case management, educational/vocational assistance, job training skills, and referral assistance.

This general support award funds items and experiences that are fundamentally a part of growing up for children/youth who are currently in state or tribal custody as determined by having a state (CYFD) or tribal caseworker. If applicable, activity/recreational, education, graduation, and/or travel funds provided by CYFD should be utilized prior to making an Expanding Horizons request. Examples of the work through the Expanding Horizons Awards program include: bicycles, museum/camp fees, tutoring, martial arts classes, sports equipment and team fees, musical instruments and family trips.

Resources to help prepare youths for living on their own.

Services Include:

• Consulting: Ongoing strategic consultation at no cost to child welfare systems and tribes.
• Public Policy: Comprehensive child welfare information to support policymakers
• Research and Analysis: Information to support decision-making, bolster system integration, build capacity, and support sustainability.
• Casey Life Skills: Free practice tool and framework for working with youth in foster care. It assesses independent living skills and provides results instantly. Intended to be done between a youth and their social worker, case manger, or other mentor.
• Direct Services: Operates nine field offices in five states (Arizona, California, Idaho, Texas, and Washington) that provide direct services to urban, suburban, and rural communities.

Provides foster, kinship and adoptive families with opportunities for advocacy, networking, and education.