A NEW REPORT SAYS NEW MEXICO DOES A GOOD JOB WHEN IT COMES TO PLACING FOSTER CHILDREN WITH FAMILIES. THE REPORT, PART OF THE “KIDS COUNT” PROJECT FROM THE ANNIE E. CASEY FOUNDATION, SAYS CHILDREN REMOVED BY THE STATE FROM UNHEALTHY OR DANGEROUS SITUATIONS, USUALLY FARE BETTER WHEN PLACED WITH FAMILIES.
NEW MEXICO’S PLACEMENT RATE IS ABOVE THE NATIONAL AVERAGE. IN 2017, 92 PERCENT OF ALL CHILDREN IN FOSTER CARE WERE PLACED IN FAMILIES, A 2 PERCENT INCREASE OVER 2007. NATIONWIDE, THE AVERAGE CAME IN AT 86 PERCENT.
THE REPORT DOES SAY THAT THE PLACEMENT OF TEENS REMAINED STAGNANT, AND THERE ARE STILL PERSISTENT RACIAL DISPARITIES FOR CHILDREN OF ALL AGES.
