“We are a voice for families, advocating for them to stay intact by creating solutions to help families connect to resources in the community and address their basic needs, such as food and shelter, while also implementing safety approaches to prevent unnecessary out-of-home placements,” says Kimberly Lucero, Community Based Child Abuse Prevention, Intervention and Reunification (CBPIR) Program Manager. Ms. Lucero enthusiastically expresses her gratitude for two recent contract awards, extending CBPIR services at Las Cumbres.
CBPIR assistance has just expanded with two four-year contract awards to the agency through New Mexico’s Children Youth and Families Department (CYFD) and the CYFD Prevention and Initiatives Bureau. Las Cumbres has been providing CBPIR services since 2015 in four counties, Los Alamos, Santa Fe, Rio Arriba and Taos. Beginning in July of 2021, CBPIR services expanded to Bernalillo County. With the continuation of CBPIR services, coupled with a new Family Outreach Services contract, Las Cumbres will continue to assure that all children, youth and families are healthy, safe, nurtured and thriving and strengthened by their culture and community.
“Our team of navigators are wholeheartedly invested in supporting families through some of the toughest times in their lives. We understand that during those tough times, the risks of neglect are higher and when families need our services most. We will continue to empower caregivers to assure safe and healthy families, which ultimately supports every child's right to a loving and secure environment”, explains Lucero.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 15 in every 1,000 children in New Mexico are identified as victims of maltreatment. This number is nearly double the U.S. rate of 8 in 1,000. Las Cumbres’ CBPIR and Family Outreach programming seeks to increase the community’s general knowledge about child abuse and neglect and awareness of child abuse prevention services along with provision of services to address issues of abuse and neglect before they occur. This includes case management, increased parenting skills for caregivers, and working with families after a child returns that may have been temporarily placed in foster care.
“Additionally, when we are unable to prevent out-of-home placements,” Lucero continues, “we will work closely to support families during the reunification process, ensuring that children can return home to loving arms after temporary foster care placements. We are deeply appreciative for the trust placed in us by CYFD and the opportunity to serve our community in the fight against child abuse and neglect.”