Foster care (also known as out-of-home care) is a temporary service provided by each state for children who cannot live with their families. Children in foster care may live with relatives or with unrelated foster parents. Foster care can also refer to placement settings such as group homes, residential care facilities, emergency shelters, and supervised independent living.
In New Mexico, foster care is managed by the Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD). This service is intended for children who are unable to safely live with their families due to various reasons such as abuse, neglect, or abandonment. Foster care is considered a temporary arrangement until a permanent living situation can be established, whether that be reunification with the child's family, adoption, or another permanent living arrangement. Children in foster care may be placed with relatives, known as kinship care, or with licensed foster parents. There are also other placement options such as group homes, residential treatment centers, emergency shelters, and supervised independent living programs for older youth. The state of New Mexico has specific regulations and statutes that govern the foster care system, including the licensing of foster homes, the rights of children in foster care, and the responsibilities of foster parents.