Rodey Advocates For Foster Youth

Charles VigilDirector, Rodey, Dickason, Sloan, Akin & Robb, P.A.

A settlement has been reached in a lawsuit filed in 2018 on behalf of 14 foster youth and two advocacy organizations.  The suit alleged that trauma-impacted children and youth in New Mexico foster care lacked safe, appropriate and stable placements and behavioral health services to meet their needs in the state system.  Rodey lawyer Andrew G. Schultz along with other law firms and organizations filed the suit on behalf of New Mexico’s foster youth. The ground-breaking settlement provides for:

  • The development of a trauma-responsive system of care for all children in state custody.
  • Placing children in out-of-home care in stable, safe, appropriate, community-based placements in the least-restrictive environment.
  • Building a relationship with each of the New Mexico Nations, Tribes and Pueblos, and complying with the Indian child Welfare Act (ICWA) – making every effort to ensure that all Native children and families receive appropriate support and services.
  • Building a statewide, community-based behavioral health system that all children and families will be able to access.
  • Implementing training, supervision and support for agency staff, foster parents, and other adults who serve children impacted by trauma.

Andrew Schultz is a Director in the Rodey Law Firm and the Chair of the firm’s Complex and Commercial Practice Group.  His practice focuses on class action and civil rights litigation, along with other complex procedural and appellate work.  Mr. Schultz has been an advocate for foster youth for many years.