ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - Parents, advocates and others on Saturday descended upon the State Capitol for a march to raise awareness in the fight against child abuse as New Mexico embarks on reforming its troubled child welfare system.
The procession from the capitol to Santa Fe’s historic plaza comes just days after Gov. Susana Martinez announced numerous policy changes and directives aimed at keeping abused and neglected children from falling through the cracks.
The governor’s move was in response to what she called the tragic death of Omaree Varela, a 9-year-old Albuquerque boy who police say was kicked to death by his mother. Critics say the system didn’t do enough to protect Varela despite previous reports of abuse.
Organizers of the march acknowledged the case has brought new light to the problem.
The Solace Crisis Treatment Center in Santa Fe has seen a dramatic increase in reported abuse cases since the beginning of the year, executive director Maria Jose Rodriguez Cadiz said. In February alone, there were 32 cases reported, marking one of the busiest months for the center in 20 years.
Saturday’s march is part of a nationwide effort in recognition of National Child Abuse Prevention Month, Rodriguez Cadiz said.
Participants wore royal blue shirts and blue ribbons. Some held signs calling for an end to child abuse.
The governor, who was attending a community event on child abuse in Estancia on Saturday, said through a spokesman that everyone in the community shares the responsibility of preventing and stopping abuse.
In Albuquerque, city officials attended a child-abuse summit Friday and announced they would be unveiling billboards and bus advertisements to encourage people to report suspected abuse to the state Children, Youth and Families Department hotline.
Advocates say they’re encouraged by the renewed interest in the fight against child abuse, but some state Democratic leaders say Martinez, a Republican, hasn’t done enough to address staffing problems and the overwhelming caseload within the state’s child welfare agency.
Sen. Michael Padilla, an Albuquerque Democrat who grew up in foster homes, said the problems go back decades and the governor’s initiatives “do not even scratch the surface when it comes to improving service delivery.”
One thing he suggested was for the state to increase the number of certified foster homes. The governor’s reforms will require at least four times the number of current foster homes, some of which are now caring for as many as 12 children, he said.
“This department was created over 25 years ago with the absolute best of intentions, and it will take a long-term approach to reforming it,” Padilla said.
Martinez acknowledged during a news conference this week that each state agency involved in protecting children can make improvements.
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