AMIkids Inc., a Florida-based non-profit, has declined to extend its contract with the Children, Youth and Families Department of New Mexico to operate a foster group home in Albuquerque. The two-year contract is set to expire on June 30, 2026.

Background

The organization provides alternative care to juvenile incarceration, focusing on education and behavioral counseling for at-risk youth. However, there have been concerns over alleged maltreatment and deaths within the state’s child welfare system, including a lawsuit filed by the estate of Jaydun Garcia, a 16-year-old who committed suicide at the group home in 2025.

A spokesperson for AMIkids Inc. stated that the decision not to pursue a contract extension was made after careful consideration, and the organization remains committed to its mission of helping young people develop skills and confidence to succeed. The New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department (CYFD) confirmed that contracts for multi-service homes expire at the end of the fiscal year and that they are working with AMIkids Inc. on transition plans for the three youth currently placed at the facility.

Kevin S. Settlement

The Kevin S. settlement is an agreement aimed at transforming New Mexico’s child welfare system. The settlement team has expressed concerns over CYFD’s ongoing placement of children in congregate care, citing national consensus that children do best in family-based settings. Tara Ford, Senior Counsel at Opportunity Under Law, stated that the state needs to invest in solutions that help children in foster care heal, rather than those that worsen their outcomes.

Original reporting: KOAT Albuquerque — read the source article.