Money allocated for juvenile justice

SANTA FE (AP) - Juvenile justice programs across New Mexico are getting $250,000 in federal economic stimulus money to help them cope with a budget squeeze.

Gov. Bill Richardson is allocating the money to help programs in 18 counties. Money will go to support substance abuse programs as well as teen courts and other juvenile justice rehabilitation services.

The Children, Youth and Families Department will oversee how the money is spent.

Richardson provided the money from a nearly $58 million pool of federal aid that he can distribute at his discretion.