OPINION: CYFD just got caught — again. Where’s the accountability?

The Children, Youth and Families Department has once again betrayed the trust of New Mexicans — this time by misusing $20 million intended to expand behavioral health services for children.

Let that sink in.

This wasn’t vague or optional money. The Legislature clearly and deliberately earmarked it to develop providers who could serve kids eligible for federal reimbursement — meaning we could build long-term infrastructure to support mental health care in our state.

Instead, CYFD diverted those funds to congregate care facilities and direct services that are explicitly ineligible for Medicaid or Title IV-E reimbursement — two federal lifelines we desperately need to stabilize our failing system.

According to the Legislative Finance Committee’s letter to the Attorney General, CYFD’s spending was not only unauthorized — it defied the Legislature’s clear intent. As someone who has spent years drafting data-driven, science-based legislation to fix our broken child welfare system, this feels like a slap in the face.

How many more times must we watch CYFD turn opportunity into obstruction?

How many more dollars will be wasted while children remain in crisis, and providers on the ground scream for help?

The truth is, CYFD is a dumpster fire — and every time we throw more money into it without reform, we just fuel the flames.

Let’s be clear: This is not a partisan issue. This is about basic competence, accountability and protecting children. I applaud the LFC for demanding an investigation, but we need more than letters. We need consequences.

Every day that passes without action is another day a child in CYFD’s care goes without the services they need — and that, in my opinion, borders on criminal.

I call on the attorney general to fully investigate CYFD’s misuse of these funds, and I call on my colleagues in the Legislature — regardless of party — to stop protecting a system that continues to fail our kids.

Burn it down? No.

Rebuild it from scratch? Absolutely.

And this time, let’s do it right.