Quality of Life Committee — Wed, Sep 2, 2026 · 5.a FY26 Immigration Committee Presentation (Kristen Woods, Youth and Family Services Program Manager; krwoods@santafenm.gov)
Immigration Committee Presentation Quality of Life Committee Context for This Work The Youth and Family Services Division was awarded One Time Funds totaling $250,000. Contracts were awarded as follows: Las Cumbres – Direct Services $60,000 Las Cumbres – Workshops $50,000 New Mexico Immigrant Law Center – Community Education $50,000 New Mexico Immigrant Law Center – Legal Services $60,000 New Mexico Immigrant Law Center – Toolkit 30,000 2 Immigration Committee The Immigration Committee meets in person the second Monday of each month, with Spanish-English interpretation provided at all meetings. The Staff Liaison to the Committee is Liz Camacho, and the Board Chair is Ivan Cornejo. 2026 meetings are well underway; Mayor Garcia attended during his first two weeks as Mayor. 3 Community Education and Workshop Series for Immigrants Term Ending: June 30, 2026 Amount: $50,000 Scope: Provide a Community Education and Workshop series to equip immigrants with knowledge about their rights, available services, and pathways to wellness through the following: • Know Your Rights Sessions led by legal experts ensuring immigrants understand workplace protections, housing laws, and legal aid options. • Wellness and Mental Health Workshops, addressing trauma recovery, stress management, and culturally appropriate coping strategies. • Navigation Training for Social Services, assisting immigrants in accessing housing, healthcare, food security, and employment resources. • Community Safety and Emergency Preparedness, providing practical guidance on interacting with law enforcement, protecting personal documents, and planning for emergencies. 5 Deliverables: • Prepare and submit invoices for program expense reimbursement with backup documentation. • Coordinate data entry and data tracking to account for progress and achievements and outcome performance measurements including the following: Attendance tracking Number of workshops delivered Number of total participants receiving training Pre/post surveys to assess participants’ knowledge gains and confidence in navigating resources. Percentage of participants reporting improved knowledge and understanding. Testimonials to gather qualitative feedback on the usefulness of sessions. Tracking Referrals and Service Linkages Percentage of participants reporting improved access to legal, housing, or health services within 30 days of attending a workshop. Percentage of participants reporting satisfaction with trainings and practical benefit. 6 Community Education and Workshop Series for Immigrants Direct Services for Immigrants Term Ends: June 30, 2026 Amount: $60,000 Scope: Provide the following direct services to 60 clients from all immigrant populations, regardless of legal status, country of origin, language, or background. • Comprehensive Navigation Services • One-on-one support to assist immigrants in navigating legal processes, accessing social services, and building long-term stability. • Mental Health and Wellness Support • Connecting immigrants with trauma-informed mental healthcare, peer support groups, and culturally responsive mental health resources. • Legal Navigation Assistance • Guidance on asylum, work permits, family petitions, and protection from deportation, in partnership with legal aid organizations. • Economic and Housing Stability Services • Support accessing housing resources, emergency assistance, food security programs, and workforce development opportunities. • Financial assistance for clients facing immediate threats to safety and stability, including risk of eviction, food insecurity, utility disconnection, and basic needs for children. 7 Direct Services for Immigrants Deliverables: • Prepare and submit invoices for program expense reimbursement with backup documentation. • Coordinate data entry and data tracking to account for progress and achievements and for outcome performance measurements including the following: • Case Management and Service Utilization Tracking • Number of immigrants receiving navigation services • Number of navigation services provided • Client Surveys and Feedback Forms • Referral Tracking • Percentage of clients reporting increase access to legal, mental health, and community resources • Economic and Housing Stability Metrics • Percentage of clients retaining/securing stable housing and/or employment, addressing food insecurity, and other basic needs • Percentage of enrolled clients accessing Emergency Discretionary Funding (EDF) to avert a critical risk factor • Complete check-ins with City staff as requested. 8 Immigrant Related Education Workshops and Service Provider Training Term Ends: June 30, 2026 Amount: $50,000 Scope: Provide Community Education Workshops covering the following topics: Immigrant rights Safety planning Accessible community resources Addressing emerging threats Crisis response strategies • Provide Service Provider Training to ensure that local service providers, such as social workers, healthcare providers, and educators are well-prepared to support immigrant families effectively during crises. The curriculum will be designed for the needs of the community partners and may include: • Preparedness for immigration enforcement actions • Legal rights education • Comprehensive family preparedness planning • Any other specific topics requested by service providers such as guidance on helping families obtain passports, establishing power of attorney for children, and strategies for asset protection. Deliverables: • Prepare and submit invoices for program expense reimbursement with backup documentation quarterly for trainings conducted at a rate of $5,000 per training. • Submit event flyer or other proof such as emails with partners that demonstrate training dates as evidence of progress towards deliverables. 10 Legal Aid to Immigrant Children and/or their Parents Term Ends: June 30, 2026 Amount: $60,000 Scope: Provide comprehensive immigration legal services to immigrant children and/or their parents in Santa Fe who are at risk of family separation or facing deportation, by addressing multiple interconnected legal needs including: • Deportation defense • Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) application • Family court petitions • Other urgent immigration legal aid Deliverables: • Provide legal representation to 15 clients at a rate of $4,000 per individual. • Complete check-ins with City staff as requested. 11 Development of a Comprehensive Santa Fe- Specific Immigrant Toolkit Term Ends: June 30, 2026 Amount: $30,000 Scope: Create a comprehensive Santa Fe-specific toolkit tailored for educators, immigrant students, and their families to address the following: • Equip educators, students, and families with clear explanations of their legal rights related to immigration enforcement, detention, and deportation. • Leverage the collective expertise of specialized legal and community partners to integrate critical family law guidance unique to New Mexico, addressing kinship guardianship, caregiver affidavits, and power of attorney, which are essential for maintaining family stability and continuity of care in cases of parental detention or deportation. Deliverables: • Prepare and submit draft of the toolkit with invoice for program expense reimbursement. 12 City of Santa Fe Toolkit Update April 2026 Progress Report REFUGEE SERVICES Serving immigrant and refugee populations in New Mexico: providing trauma-informed, culturally responsive support to individuals and families from every background, regardless of immigration status Santuario del Corazón Resource navigation, immigration legal services, and mental health for immigrant families in trauma; the Santa Fe Welcome Center - Zero-barrier hub for direct services and community connection STAR Program Trauma-informed mental health & wellness support for refugees WINGS Program Case management, immigration legal services, mental health, medical care and care coordination, and community integration for survivors of torture and their families A Two-Track Investment In FY26, Las Cumbres is partnering with the City of Santa Fe under two complementary contracts to walk alongside immigrant families Direct Services Comprehensive navigation, mental health, legal support, and emergency financial assistance for clients and family members Community Education & Workshops Educational trainings across four topic areas for immigrant community members Training offerings for providers covering trauma-informed practice, immigrant and refugee contexts, and practitioner self-care 1 Direct Services 1 Comprehensive Navigation One-on-one family navigation; legal processes, social services, and long-term stability Mental Health & Wellness Support Trauma-informed care, peer support, and culturally responsive mental health resources Legal Navigation Assistance Asylum, work permits, family petitions, and protection from deportation Economic & Housing Stability Emergency Discretionary Funds for rent, utilities, food security, and basic needs 2 3 4 Direct Services|Progress to Date Direct Services | Progress to Date 47 individuals + 71 family members total: 118 individuals Clients Served Goal: 24 individuals + 36 family members 1,058 Navigation Services Provided Goal: 540+ (bi-weekly, 45 weeks) 100% Clients Accessing Legal, MH & Community Resources Goal: 85%+ 100% Clients Maintaining/Securing Housing, Employment & Basic Needs Goal: 85%+ 100% Clients Receiving Emergency Discretionary Funds Goal: 75%+ Direct Services|Progress to Date Direct Services | Progress to Date 133 individuals Received Immigration Legal Services 369 Food Boxes Provided to: 1,386 individuals 2 Community Education & Workshops Know Your Rights Understanding your rights if approached by immigration authorities; including what to say, what not to say, and how to protect yourself and your family Wellness & Mental Health Trauma recovery, stress management, health and wellness, English classes Social Services Navigation Assistance in how to access housing, healthcare, food security, and employment resources Community Safety & Preparedness Guidance on interacting with law enforcement, protecting personal documents, and planning for emergencies All sessions multilingual, co-facilitated with bilingual experts and community leaders Community Education & Workshops | Progress to Date 78 Workshops Delivered Goal: 20+ sessions across locations & formats 221 Total Participants Receiving Training Goal: 220 100% Participants Reporting Improved Knowledge & Understanding Goal: 90%+ 83% Participants Reporting Improved Access to Services Goal: 60%+ (within 30 days of workshop) 100% Participants Reporting High Satisfaction Goal: 85%+ OOKING AHEAD LOOKING AHEAD Through June 2026 1 Continue direct services Maintain family navigation services and wraparound support for all enrolled and walk-in clients through contract end 2 Complete workshop series Deliver remaining sessions across all four topic areas; complete pre/post survey data collection 3 Final evaluation & impact report Compile outcome data, client feedback, and referral tracking for final evaluation report to the City of SF 4 Sustainability planning Community Education curriculum to be integrated into ongoing SDC and Welcome Center programming beyond FY26 Thank You! Thank Yo julia.montany@lccs-nm.org 505.819.1643 Hali Ca lzadillas-Andujo Training and Grant Partnerships Manager City of Santa Fe: Updates NMILCSe r v ice s NMILC Se r v ic e s • Direct Representation: • Survivors of crimes, including domestic violence, trafficking, etc. • Abandoned, abused, or neglected children • Asylum seekers and people detained by ICE • Economic justice concerns (profes sional licensure and immigrant business issues) • Pro se services: • Citizenship and green card renewals • DACArenewals • Asylum applications and work permit applications • Education Programs: • Community trainings • ICE detention presentations Legal Services and Community Education in city of Santa Fe Legal Services and Community Education in city of Santa Fe • Directly represented 204 individuals in an immigration case • Supported in 18 work permits submission • Provided navigation services to 16 clients • 913 individuals attended educational presentations During the period of January 2025-December 2025, NMILC delivered a range of lega l and educational services to community members through safety-net and navigation activities, including: Individua l immigration legal consultations and case assistance • Community education: “Know Your Rights” presentations, Immigration 101, Humanita rian visas • Family preparedness planning and resource development • Navigation support to help community members access legal services • Direct representation on their immigration case This means NMILC: Partners we have trained: • CONNECT SF • Communities in Schools • Growing Up NM • Sky Center • Sola ce • ECCOE • Santa Fe Spanish speaking Church • Severa l small businesses Family Preparedness Toolkit Family Preparedness Toolkit To further support immigra nt families and their school communities during periods of policy uncertainty, NMILC developed a Family Preparedness Toolkit with funding from the City of Santa Fe and in collaboration with local legal experts in immigration and family law like Pegasus and pro- bono attorney Julia Barnes. • This res ource provides help to students, and families with clea r information on their legal rights related to immigration, specific to the New Mexico context, and supports them to plan for potentia l immigration-related emergencies. • The Toolkit, which is comprised of a guide and a user-friendly workbook includes guida nce on: Family safety planning, important document preparation, caregiver designation planning, and accessing legal and community resources. • Partners we have trained/shared toolkit: • Communities in Schools • Las Cumbres • Scheduled to train • ECCOE • Growing Up NM Family Preparedness Toolkit Family Preparedness Toolkit Key goal: To ensure families are prepared and informed to respond to legal or emergency situations, such as detention or deportation. The Family Preparedness toolkit is a set of tools, guidelines and strategies that a family can implement in the event of an emergency. These tools can be used before and after detention/interaction with ICE Two part toolkit: Guide and workbook It includes both legal strategies (know your rights, access to legal aid) and practical steps (communicating with family members, organizing documents). Components of the plan: Family emergency contacts (including legal and medical contacts), template Childcare and guardianship plans, templates Complete document list to gather (e.g., IDs, immigration papers, family medical records) Information on looking up family member that was detained Se c tion s in th e G u id e • Know your rights • Trauma informed practices • Drafting a Plan • What happens when parents are detained • Information on looking up a detained pers on • Expedited removal • Annotated POA, Caregiver Affidavit, Parental Consent forms for KG Reunification and adoption information Sections in the Workbook • Complete document list • Template for gathering important information • Template Caregiver Affidavit • Template Power of Attorney • Template Travel Consent for Minor Children • Parental Consent forms for KG Two Part Toolkit Two Part Toolkit EXAMPLES EXAMPLES Annota te d Pow e rof Attorn e y Annota te d Pow e r of Attorn e y An n ota te d C a re g ive r Affid avit An n ota te d C a re g ive r Affid avit An n ota te d KGC on se n t An n ota te d KG C on se n t Caregive r’s Authoriza tion Affida vit Minor Power of Attorne y Kins hip Guardians hip Term ● Up to 1 year. Term ● Up to 6 months. ● Can specify the time. Term ● Indefinite. ● Valid until court revocation of guardia nship. Parental Rights ● No effect: Parents reta in a ll rights. Parental Rights ● No effect: Parents reta in a ll rights. Parental Rights ● Suspends all parental rights. Parental Consent ● Notice to parents, where contact is possible. Parental Consent ● At least one parent. Parental Consent ● Parents may consent, or it can be implied if they are unava ilable. Power &Duties ● Acaregiver has the authority to enroll in school and school related medical care. ● Aqualified relative can also authorize medical and dental ca re. Powers &Duties ● Only those powers specifica lly stated in the Power of Attorney. ● Can be specific, such as “only for educational decisions,” or can be broad, such as “for all parental decis ions.” Powers &Duties ● All those of a parent except consenting to adoption. How to Execute ● Signed by the caregiver in front of a Nota ry Public. ● No court required. How to Execute ● Signed by a pa rent or legal gua rdian in front of a Notary Public. ● No court required. How to Execute ● Parent may appoint, or adult caregiver can petition. ● Requires a court order from a judge. All the differences: Power of Attorney, Caregiver Affidavit & Kinship Guardianship Additional Resources Additional Resources Apples eed Network Deportation Planning Manual: https://deportationpreparation.org/ Women’s Refugee Commission: https://www.womensrefugeecommission.org/rights/gbv/resources/1409-resources- for-families-facing-deportation-separation CLINIC Emergency Planning Guide: https://www.cliniclegal.org/resources/protecting-your-community/clinic- emergency-planning-guide United We Dream Preparedness Packet: https://unitedwedream.org/resources/stay-ready-with-a-preparedness- packet/ Immigra nt Legal Res ource Center Preparedness Plan: https://www.ilrc.org/resources/step-step-family-preparedness- plan Holistic services and supports: Statewide New Mexico resources: https://sharenm.org/nm-resources • Call (505) 247-1023, Mondays 1-5pm,Tuesdays-Fridays, 9am-12pm or 1- 5pm. • You will be scheduled for a phone appointment to be screened for eligibility for our services or referred to other organizations. • Access the toolkit online: https://www.nmilc.org/toolkit/familypreparedness HowToRe a chUs How To Re a ch Us Th a n kyou , q u e stion s? Th a n k y o u , q u e stio n s?