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Child Abuse Cases Overwhelm Social Workers In New Mexico

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Child welfare officials are seeking a $12 million budget increase in hopes of lightening the caseloads of the state's overburdened social workers.

The New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department appealed to members of a key legislative committee Wednesday, saying some workers face caseloads that are three times that of federal recommendations.

Of the request, $5 million would pay to fill vacancies and hire 50 new caseworkers to protect neglected children.

The agency says its investigators handle about 17 cases at a time when federal guidelines recommend between 10 and 12 cases.

Once abuse is confirmed, social workers attend to 19 or 20 cases on average when federal guidelines call for no more than 17.

Sen. Howie Morales of Silver City pointed to Socorro County, where he said caseloads reached 43 per worker.