STUDY FAIR FOSTER PARENT COMPENSATION

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