(The Center Square) – The New Mexico Senate confirmed Teresa Casados as the Cabinet Secretary for the New Mexico Children, Youth, and Families Department this week.
The Senate confirmed her with a bipartisan 32-8 vote that came a few days after it was revealed that the Department has a backlog of over 2,000 investigations of abuse and neglect, according to the Los Alamos Daily Post.
“This is an agency and a system that needs a leader who can get things done,” Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham said in a statement. “Secretary Casados is the right person for this job, and I thank the Legislature for recognizing that. We are already seeing meaningful changes at the Department, and that momentum will continue under Secretary Casados – New Mexico children and families deserve no less.”
Casados had served in the role on an interim basis since last spring.
“I look forward to collaborating with lawmakers and advocates to find solutions-focused ideas that support a strong future for CYFD,” Casados said in a statement. “There is a lot of work to do cooperatively, with everyone at the table focused on what is best for the children and families in New Mexico. I look forward to continuing our work in partnership with the determined, hardworking, and dedicated CYFD staff.”
Before working for CYFD, Casados was the Chief Operating Officer for Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s administration.
“While there, Casados was the operational partner to the governor including creating the comprehensive state response to COVID-19, mobilizing disaster relief for wildfires, and bringing to life the Early Childhood Education and Care Department – the first of its kind in the nation,” the release said.
The governor’s office touts these as achievements for Casados while leading CYFD since last spring:
Reorganization of CYFD prioritizing the three pillars: Family Services, Juvenile Justice, and Protective Services supported by five foundational principles.Creation of the Family Services Division from programs living within CYFD becoming the “front door” for the agency focused on preventive and proactive resources.Instated rapid hires. August’s rapid hire event, in Albuquerque, brought in 573 in-person candidates. Roswell’s event filled 73% of vacant positions. The agency has hired 280+ new employees since May 2023.Launch of TogetherwethriveNM.org, a website focused on agency transparency to ensure clear communication of the agency. This was the first immediate action set in place.