46% Of New Mexico Children’s Behavioral Health Spending Was For Acute Residential Care

During state fiscal year 2015-2016, 46% of New Mexico’s child behavioral health spending was for acute residential placements and treatment foster care. During fiscal year 2016, the state spent about $196 million on children’s behavioral health through Medicaid and the Children, Youth, and Families Department (CYFD). About $89 million was for out-of-home residential treatment for about 1,000 children. In fiscal year 2007, about 72% of the state’s child behavioral health spending was for residential treatment.

Children’s behavioral health services spending represented about 31% of the total $625 million dollars spent in fiscal . . .