Statewide Advisory Committee (SAC)

The Citizens Substitute Care Review Act requires the establishment of a CRB Statewide Advisory Committee (SAC) composed of three persons with expertise in the area of substitute care (public members) appointed by the Governor or the Department of Finance and Administration, regional representatives, officers, and one representative from each local board. The SAC is authorized to adopt reasonable rules that include guidelines for the determination of the appropriate type of review and the information needed to adequately monitor cases. The committee must make annual recommendations to CYFD, the courts, and the legislature on statutes, policies, and procedures relating to foster care. SAC fulfills this mandate by preparing an annual legislative report with recommendations regarding the abuse and neglect system. This report is widely distributed throughout the state to participants in the abuse and neglect system. In addition, the SAC has several subcommittees to assist in performing mandated duties.

SAC Subcommittees

There are four SAC subcommittees each with an assigned chair. All subcommittee chairs are, by virtue of their position, members of the Executive SAC.

There are currently four subcommittees of the Statewide Advisory Committee:

• Legislative (Bonnie Geer, Albuquerque, Board #29) – Educates CRB board members to help raise awareness and educate legislators and the public about issues and legislation impacting children in foster care. Empowers board members to engage the public in discussions about efforts that help foster children.

• New Mexico Child Protection Evaluation Panels (NMCPEP) (John Myers, Las Cruces, Board #10) Facilitates CRB’s compliance with the federal Child Abuse And Prevention Treatment Act’s citizen review panel requirements. Assists with the creation of child protection evaluation panels statewide, and with recruitment of panel members. Provides guidance and support for panels, which review and make recommendations regarding the policies, procedures, and practices of the child protection system.

• New Mexico Friends of Foster Children Fund (Mary Ann Copas, Albuquerque, Board #5) – Raises funds and public awareness for the New Mexico Friends of Foster Children Fund (NMFFCF). The fund provides awards to meet the wishes and needs of individual foster children that are not funded by CYFD or other programs. More information about NMFFCF is available at www.nmcrb.org or by contacting CRB at 1-866-857-2976. For more information, see page 18.

• Reports and Publications (Rita Aronson, Albuquerque, Board #8) – Assists CRB staff with interim reports and the CRB Annual Report and Recommendations. It also develops the CRB Newsletter for distribution statewide.

• Training and Education (Patricia Dunn, Hobbs, Board #15) – Develops and implements curriculum for new member orientation training, ongoing member training, and training modules for the CRB website.