Dodson: CYFD cuts would be devastating

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - Dorian Dodson, the secretary of the state Children, Youth and Families Department, said Thursday that budget cuts that have passed the Legislature and are awaiting the governor's signature would be devastating to social services.

During a news conference, Dodson labeled the cuts "draconian," and said every employee of the department would have to take nine days of unpaid leave to help save $15 million.

The Legislature last week passed budget-cutting bills in an effort to close the state's budget holes. Gov. Bill Richardson has until Nov. 12 to act on the bills, by signing them, vetoing them or vetoing portions of them.

She said the department's plan to shift the focus of juvenile justice from punishment to rehabilitation would be threatened by the cuts, and that juvenile probation officers are likely to see a major increase in caseloads.

Also, she said, the department may have to consider freezing or reducing the money it pays to foster parents.

"They are the cornerstone of our system. Without them, we cannot remove children when they need to be removed," she said. "We don't reimburse them enough as it is, but if we have to cut their reimbursements, that is of grave concern to us."

Dodson said her biggest fear is the stress on CYFD workers. She said they were overworked and underpaid already, and she's concerned the cuts will make the situation much worse.