N.M. Stat. § 32A-26-5
Fostering connections program; participation; voluntary
services and support agreement; periodic reviews.
A. An eligible adult may participate in the fostering connections program for any
duration of time by entering into a voluntary services and support agreement
immediately upon turning eighteen years of age or any time thereafter.
B. There is no limit to the number of times an eligible adult may opt out of and
reenter the fostering connections program.
C. When an eligible adult elects to participate in the fostering connections program,
the department and the eligible adult shall execute, and the eligible adult shall be
provided with a signed copy of, a voluntary services and support agreement that sets
forth, at a minimum, the following:
(1)
a requirement that the eligible adult continue to be eligible in accordance
with the Fostering Connections Act for the duration of the voluntary services and
support agreement;
(2)
the services and support that the eligible adult will receive through the
fostering connections program;
(3)
the voluntary nature of the eligible adult's participation and the eligible
adult's right to terminate the voluntary services and support agreement at any time; and
(4)
conditions that may result in the termination of the voluntary services and
support agreement and the eligible adult's early discharge from the fostering
connections program pursuant to Section 32A-26-6 NMSA 1978.
D. As soon as possible and no later than forty-five days after the eligible adult and
the department execute the voluntary services and support agreement, the department
shall conduct a determination of income eligibility for purposes of compliance with
federal foster care and transitional care assistance; provided that within fifteen days
after execution of the voluntary services and support agreement, the department shall
provide those services and supports set forth in that agreement.
E. The department shall assign an eligible adult a case manager, who shall be
trained in primarily providing services for transition-aged eligible adults.
F. The department shall make active efforts to assist eligible adults in achieving
permanency and creating permanent connections.
G. The department and at least one person who is not responsible for case
management, in collaboration with the eligible adult and additional persons identified by
the eligible adult, shall conduct periodic reviews of the transition plan not less than once
every one hundred eighty days to evaluate progress made toward meeting the goals set
forth in the transition plan. The department shall use a team approach in conducting
periodic reviews of the transition plan and shall facilitate the participation of the eligible
adult.
H. The department shall hold the periodic review of the transition plan no more than
thirty days before and no less than five days before each review hearing.