Extended Foster Care in New Mexico

General Eligibility 

New Mexico does not offer extended foster care.

New Mexico law does not allow for re-entry.

Court Oversight of Extended Care

Court may extend jurisdiction for a period not to exceed one year after young adult’s 18th birthday if it determines that the department has not made reasonable efforts to provide the child with certain identification documents and written information about the child’s family, medical, and education history, assist the child in obtaining Medicaid, or refer an eligible child for guardianship or limited guardianship and that termination of jurisdiction would be harmful to the young adult. N.M. Stat. § 32A-4-25.3.

Eligibility for Extended Adoption Assistance

Adoption assistance payments may continue between ages 18 and 21 for youth who are enrolled in the medically fragile waiver program. N.M. Stat. § 32A-5-45(B).

Eligibility for Extended Guardianship Assistance

New Mexico does not offer guardianship assistance for youth of any age.