Juvenile Justice Programs Unit
The Juvenile Justice Programs Unit is charged with planning and implementing grant processes and systems, monitoring/auditing grant recipient performance and impact, and producing reports on federal and state requirements. The Unit manages four grant funded programs: One-on-One and Group Mentoring Program, Juvenile Continuum funding, federal JJDPA Title 2 funding, and Juvenile Community Corrections Program.
Programs
One-on-One and Group Youth Mentoring Programs
New Mexico’s Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) is committed to supporting a network of quality youth mentoring providers and effective approaches that provide a consistent, positive influence in the lives of youth people who would benefit from mentoring support, connecting the young person to personal growth and development, and social and economic opportunities.
Juvenile Continuum Grant Funds Programs
The Juvenile Continuum Act was enacted in 2007 (Section 9-2A-14.1 NMSA 1978). The target population is youth 10-17 who are referred to juvenile probation or are at risk of such referral. Services are provided by Continuum service providers in five funding priority areas: delinquency prevention, alternatives to detention, graduated and appropriate sanctions, diversion and restorative justice services, and gender-specific services. In Fiscal Year 2024, Continuums served 3,675 youth statewide, using 76% of their funds. For Fiscal Year 2025, there are 16 JJAC-funded Continuums in 16 counties, with Curry County added as a new site in September 2024. Funds are overseen by JJAC and administered by CYFD Juvenile Justice Field Services Youth Services and Delinquency Prevention Unit.
Juvenile Community Corrections (JCC)
The Juvenile Community Corrections (JCC) program is an alternative for youth on probation or supervised release, providing services to assist adjudicated youth in successfully completing their probation or release requirements for positive discharge out of the juvenile system.
Program referrals are made to JCC service providers from juvenile probation officers, district court judges, district attorneys, public defenders, private attorneys, juvenile correctional facilities or the CYFD supervised release panel. The program utilizes a team approach which includes the client, family, JCC-contracted agency, local public schools staff, juvenile probation officers and other significant individuals in the client’s life. The program provides participants with program services based on the client’s individualized needs but focuses primarily on teaching life skills (job search support, social skills development, school support and tutoring, and other services offered within the community) so that the youth can learn how to manage their affairs appropriately and responsibly.
Title II Formula Grant Funds Programs
CYFD’s Juvenile Justice Services Division (JJS) proposes to continue implementing the Title II Formula Grants Program. The purpose is to fund local providers to pilot new services to youth at risk of involvement or further involvement in the Juvenile Justice System, including substance abuse and mental health services, school-based programs, after-school middle school programs, Native American tribe programs, and community-based programs and services. Project activities include providing funding for local units of government, non-profits nongovernmental organizations, New Mexico school districts, and Federally Recognized Indian Tribes in New Mexico. Funds from the Title II Grant program have been set aside for federally recognized tribal governments that serve tribal youth, which will be awarded through a Request for Proposal (RFP) process. This grant will also target the reduction of the overrepresentation of youth of color in contact with the juvenile justice system.