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Report

Kevin S. v. Blalock Co-Neutrals’ 2023 Annual Report

November 2024

The Kevin S., et al. v. Blalock and Scrase (“Kevin S.”) lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for New Mexico on September 22, 2018, on behalf of a class of children in the custody of New Mexico’s child welfare system (“Plaintiffs”) by Disability Rights New Mexico, the Native American Disability Law Center, Public Counsel, Pegasus Legal Services for Children, and associated counsel. The Defendants in the lawsuit include State officials responsible for administering and supervising New Mexico’s child welfare system – Children, Youth, and Families Department (CYFD) – and the system responsible for delivery of Medicaid services for eligible children as well as other behavioral health services for adults, children, and their families – Health Care Authority (HCA). Following months of negotiations among the Kevin S. parties, on March 17, 2020, the parties executed a Final Settlement Agreement (“FSA,” also referred to herein as “Agreement”), and on March 26, 2020, filed a Joint Stipulation of Dismissal of the lawsuit. In reaching this Agreement, the parties acknowledged their mutual commitment to the development of a trauma-informed system of care that meets the needs of New Mexico’s diverse children and youth and their families.

This is the fourth Kevin S. report produced by the Co-Neutrals on the State’s efforts to achieve the commitments of the FSA. The report summarizes the State’s performance on agreements in each FSA Appendix.

Co Neutrals' 2023 Annual Report
Webinar

Policy in Action – Building a Community that CARES for Young Adults: Mental Health and Well-Being

October 2024

Hosted by the CARES Initiative and the Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP), this session discussed youth-centered policy recommendations for mental health and well-being, co-designed with young people who have transitioned out of foster care. During the conversation, we heard reflections on the importance of policies for mental health and well-being and the Atlanta CARES mental health and well-being policy agenda.

This event was part one of a two-part discussion on reimagining a future where public policy empowers young people to pursue their goals and live fully.

Featured Speakers:

  • Malaka "Mali" Y. Nzinga, CHES, Program Manager in the National Center for Primary Care at Morehouse School of Medicine
  • Dimple Desai, MSW, Senior Policy Analyst, Voices for Georgia's Children
  • Jada Brigman, CARES Ambassador, Atlanta
  • Tiffany Cannon, CARES Ambassador, Atlanta
  • Shadi Houshyar, Senior Associate, Center for the Study of Social Policy
Header image for Policy in Action webinar - Building a Community that CARES for Young Adults - Mental Health and Well-Being
Webinar

Policy in Action – Building a Community that CARES for Young Adults: Housing Policies for NYC & L.A.

October 2024

Hosted by the CARES Initiative and the Center for the Study of Social Policy (CSSP), this session discussed youth-centered policy recommendations for housing—developed in collaboration with young people who have transitioned out of foster care. During the conversation, we heard reflections on the importance of housing policies and discussed the NYC and L.A. CARES policy agendas and the recommendations they elevate.

This event was part two of a two-part discussion on reimagining a future where public policy empowers young people to pursue their goals and live fully.

Featured Speakers:

  • Michael Santos, Associate Director, RESULTS Educational Fund
  • Jenny Pokempner, Policy Director, Youth Law Center
  • Cara Baldari, Vice President of Family Economics, Housing, and Homelessness, First Focus
  • Kayonda Branch, CARES Ambassador, New York City
  • Elizabeth Villa, CARES Ambassador, Los Angeles
  • Alex Citrin, Senior Associate, Center for the Study of Social Policy
Header image for Policy in Action webinar - Building a Community that CARES for Young Adults - Housing
Policy Paper

Advancing Culturally Responsive Services: Incorporating Community-Defined Evidence When Evaluating What Works

October 2024

Despite the body of research demonstrating the benefit of services that respect cultural and racial identity, government funders are increasingly favoring “colorblind” programs that have been approved by research clearinghouses as evidence-based practices (EBPs). This limited approach to evidence promotes services that may be non-responsive to diverse communities’ needs while hampering the development and dissemination of responsive services that have community buy-in. This publication outlines the concerns with exclusively relying on empirical data at the expense of community-defined evidence and identifies actions government agencies can take to ensure services are evaluated according to the standards set by the community members who are supposed to benefit.

(4 pp)

Advancing Culturally Responsive Services Incorporating Community Defined Evidence When Evaluating What Works
Report

I Just Want to Be a Father: Protecting the Rights of Young Fathers Involved with Child Welfare Systems and Promoting Family Well-Being

October 2024

This brief spotlights systemic barriers faced by fathers who are themselves youth in New York City's foster care system or who co-parent with a young parent in foster care when they try to exercise their rights to be with their children. It highlights nine key recommendations with action steps that ACS and its contracted agencies can take to ensure that they respect the rights of fathers to family autonomy and that they treat young fathers in their care equitably and without discrimination based on race, gender, and intersecting identities.

(15 pp)

I Just Want To Be A Father (1)
Publication

A Community that CARES for Young Adults: A Youth-Centered Housing Policy Agenda for New York City

September 2024

Young people in New York City face significant barriers to affordable, stable housing, with high rents, limited assistance, and a complex system making it difficult for many to secure a safe place to live. CARES Ambassadors envision a housing system that respects their independence and provides affordable, reliable housing in safe communities, particularly for youth aging out of foster care and youth of color. Learn more about A Youth-Centered Housing Policy Agenda for New York City here.

Nyc Local Agenda Cover
Publication

A Community That CARES for Young Adults: A Youth-Centered Housing Policy Agenda for Los Angeles

September 2024

Young people in Los Angeles face extreme housing challenges due to high costs, limited assistance, and a complex system, with many struggling to afford rent or navigate housing programs. CARES Ambassadors envision a housing system that provides stability, safety, and support, allowing them to focus on their goals and well-being, particularly for those aging out of foster care and youth of color. Learn more about A Youth-Centered Housing Policy Agenda for Los Angeles here.

La Local Agenda Cover
Publication

A Community that CARES for Young Adults: A Youth-Centered Mental Health and Well-Being Agenda for Atlanta

September 2024

Young people in Georgia face significant barriers to accessing mental health services, including a shortage of providers, high costs, and inadequate insurance coverage. CARES Ambassadors in Atlanta call for universal access to high-quality, culturally responsive care that affirms their identities and provides the support they need to thrive. Learn more about A Youth-Centered and Mental Health Well-Being Agenda for Atlanta here.

Atl Local Agenda Cover
Report

Expanding the Perspectives and Research Foundation for the Strengthening Families & Youth Thrive Frameworks (2024)

February 2024

This report expands on the perspectives and research evidence that inform the Strengthening Families and Youth Thrive frameworks by addressing key issues not highlighted in the initial research foundation reports.

(38 pp)

Expanding the Perspectives and Research Foundation for the Strengthening Families & Youth Thrive Frameworks Small Cover
Policy Paper

Supporting Youth Aging Out of Foster Care through SNAP

October 2023

The Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 (FRA) includes new provisions which should eliminate some of the barriers former foster youth have  experienced in accessing SNAP. This brief explains the new rules and the steps that state agencies can take to ensure that former foster youth are able to access the critical nutrition assistance they are now owed.

This brief updates a version originally published in 2016.

(11 pp)

Supporting Youth Aging Out Of Foster Care Through Snap Small Cover