Leadership New Mexico partnership targets better protection for vulnerable children

The Children, Youth and Families Department this week completed the first sessions of a comprehensive leadership conference series designed to strengthen its workforce and improve services to New Mexico’s most vulnerable children and families.

The agency is partnering with Leadership New Mexico to provide transformative education to more than 1,700 staff members statewide.

Themed “Reigniting Your PASSION — Defining Your WHY: ONE Mission — ONE Department,” this initiative represents CYFD’s commitment to fundamental change and its renewed focus on its core mission of protecting children and supporting families.

“When we invest in our people, we strengthen our ability to protect children and support families. We’re excited to team with Leadership New Mexico as they share their proven methods for transforming organizations and making them more effective,” said Secretary Teresa Casados.

Diego Espinoza, President of Leadership New Mexico, emphasized the organization’s commitment to the partnership.

“We’ve seen firsthand how investing in frontline workers translates directly to better community outcomes,” Espinoza said. “CYFD’s commitment to this comprehensive approach demonstrates genuine leadership accountability.”

During three sessions of interactive workshops that started on June 12, 2025, in Albuquerque, NewMexico, and in future sessions, participants focus on:

• Discovering Your WHY — Reconnecting with the deeper motivation behind their service to children and families.
• Building a Supportive Team Culture — Learning how to nurture inclusive, collaborative, and high-functioning teams.
• Improving Communication Across Differences — Gaining tools for empathetic, effective communication in diverse work environments.
• Understanding Yourself and Others — Building emotional intelligence to enhance collaboration and leadership impact.
• Building Resilience — Strengthening the ability to stay grounded and energized during difficult times.
• Having Fun and Connecting — Encouraging camaraderie and human connection as essential components of effective service delivery.

Rochelle Alvarado, CYFD Fostering Connections Trainer/Coach: “My ‘why’ is rooted in my lived experience in foster care. I know what it means to navigate systems that weren’t built for you — and to rise anyway. That experience ignited a fire in me to be the kind of leader who sees potential where others see problems. At this conference, I’m not just reigniting my passion — I’m re-committing to using my story to build a stronger, more compassionate system for the next generation. Because leadership isn’t about power — it’s about purpose.”

The program is part of CYFD’s broader commitment to measurable improvement in child placement stability, workforce retention, and compliance with the Kevin S. settlement agreement.

Since 1995, Leadership New Mexico has graduated more than 1,800 leaders from 88 New Mexico communities through its Core Program, Local Government Leadership Program, and Connect New Mexico initiatives.

“Every child deserves a community who will focus on their well-being,” added Casados. “Leadership New Mexico’s training has provided our staff with the confidence and resilience needed to remain in these incredibly challenging positions. Leadership New Mexico has the track record we need to make this work.”

The initiative comes as CYFD works to address court-mandated reforms and rebuild public trust following documented challenges including high staff turnover and strained service delivery.

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