New Mexico
‘Frustrating’ lack of CYFD reforms turns criticism toward governor
The Kevin S. Settlement was a resolution to a class-action lawsuit meant to improve deficiencies within New Mexico’s Children Youth and Families Department.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — The Kevin S. Settlement was a resolution to a class action lawsuit meant to improve deficiencies within New Mexico’s Children Youth and Families Department.
Five years after the settlement, a lack of progress is weighing on those monitoring progress.
“This has been kind of a frustrating five years. We would have hoped by this point the system would be in a better place than it is right now,” said Judith Meltzer one of the two ‘co-neutrals’ appointed to oversee the court settlement.
During a three hour hearing, an arbitrator heard from CYFD officials, Health Care Authority officials and attorneys for both sides of the lawsuit.
The other co-neutral monitoring the case, Kevin Ryan, highlighted how other states have been able to turn around troubled child protective services departments.
“There was a very committed governor, in all of these instances. There was an executive who was very focused on implementation and making sure the executive branch was working full throttle,” Ryan said.
The plaintiffs asked for Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to attend the next settlement hearing.
KOB 4 reached out to the Lujan Grisham’s office and did not receive a response before our deadline.
“Where there’s a will there’s a way. So when the executive branch makes a decision that it’s a priority to achieve its commitment… then all the other barriers fall,” Ryan said. “Of course, CYFD can’t do this on its own. It really requires other agencies, come to the table and say, ‘Yea, we’re going to prioritize this.’ And it is just very unclear to me that, that has happened here.”
SANTA FE, N.M. (KFOX14/CBS4) – The New Mexico Department of Health says it will continue to recommend the full schedule of childhood vaccines.
State officials announced the move Tuesday, directly defying a new federal policy that scaled back routine immunization guidance.
The announcement comes after U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS), under Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., reduced the number of vaccines it recommends for all children.
The New Mexico Department of Health stated the federal changes were “not based on new scientific evidence or safety data.”
“New Mexico will not follow the federal government in walking away from decades of proven public health practice,” said Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. “Our recommendations remain unchanged.”
State health officials sought to reassure parents, emphasizing that vaccines remain widely available and covered by insurance.
“We know this is confusing for parents, but the science is clear: vaccines are safe, effective, and save children’s lives,” said Dr. Miranda Durham, chief medical officer for NMDOH.
All childhood vaccinations will continue to be covered under programs like Medicaid and the federal Vaccines for Children Program.
The state encourages parents to consult their healthcare providers using the American Academy of Pediatrics’ immunization schedule.
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SANTA FE, N.M. — Former New Mexico Public Regulation Commissioner Jim Ellison is running for governor as a Republican, he announced on social media Tuesday.
Ellison is running on affordability, opportunity and trust in government as the key points of his campaign. His experience includes serving on the NMPRC in 2023 and 2024.
“New Mexico deserves leadership that listens, acts, and delivers results. Our state has enormous potential, but too often that potential is held back by policies that don’t serve everyday New Mexicans,” he said on his website. “I’m running to bring practical solutions, honest accountability, and a renewed focus on the public interest.”
A Georgia native, Ellison has lived in New Mexico for 20 years and currently lives in the Albuquerque area with his wife and two children.
Ellison is aiming to get 5,000 signatures by Feb. 2, to appear on the primary ballot with at least three other Republicans who have announced their candidacy.
Ultra Health CEO Duke Rodriguez announced his campaign in December and recently confirmed to KOB 4 that he received enough signatures to appear on the primary ballot. Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull and New Mexico State Sen. Steve Lanier are also running.
Three Democrats are running – Bernalillo County District Attorney Sam Bregman, Former Interior Secretary Deb Haaland and Former Las Cruces Mayor Ken Miyagishima.
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