Policies in New Mexico

Data-driven foster parent recruitment

New Mexico used the Diligent Recruitment Navigator and data reports to develop its plan. Each county prepares a diligent recruitment plan based on a Targeted Recruitment Planning Tool that asks for information about current placement resources, the children most in need of homes, recruitment targets and strategies, outreach activities, and supports for foster families. The tool also calls for an action plan and includes an evaluation component. The department’s IT unit developed a web-based dashboard that tracks pending foster parent applications and active licensed providers in terms of capacity, number of placements, and child characteristics. The agency’s goal is to license foster parents within 120 days and to increase the number of foster homes by 15 percent statewide. New Mexico has a goal to have at least two placement options for each child removed from home.

See New Mexico's diligent recruitment plan for more information.