New Mexico's health care coordination for youth in foster care

New Mexico has a pediatrician on staff that helps coordinate health services and is available to consult with staff. The agency also works closely with the Family, Infant ,Toddler Program to coordinate services for the 0 to 3 populations. . The Behavioral Health Purchasing Collaborative provides the mechanism to allow for conversations as well as plan and contract negotiations to address the behavioral health needs of children in foster care and their parents including substance abuse treatment issues. The Collaborative was created by Governor Bill Richardson and the New Mexico State Legislature during the 2004 Legislative Session. The Legislation allows several state agencies and resources involved in behavioral health prevention, treatment and recovery to work as one in an effort to improve mental health and substance abuse services in New Mexico. This cabinet-level group represents 15 state agencies and the Governor's office.  More here.

The Fostering Connections Resource Center gratefully acknowledges the National Association of Public Child Welfare Administrators for providing these summaries of state approaches. Please visit NAPCWA for the complete implementation summary.