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Last edited Thu Jun 1, 2023, 04:00 PM - Edit history (9)

June 1, 2023
Re: Request payment for 48 hr emergency provider-- Theresa Chavez & letter dated May 17, 2023.

To: E. Barbi; From T. Chavez; I've decided to not challenge denial of app for foster parent,. Yet, would be remiss, complicit as to not address several questionable accounts mentioned that led your (etc al.) decision...

First. request by way of this text, I formally request payment for 48 hr emergency care provide to 4 children placed under my care-- start date March 8 @ approx 6 pm.. As you know March 9
my application for emergency care provider was vetted and approved by your office that same day. Please remit request to appropriate dept. Now, to continue--In response to your letter dated May 17, 2023:

**March 8.during intake you stated that parent, my niece; the emphasis asking me if " I believed I would have difficulty adhering to this rule since mother was my niece" Fact: on't recall latter statement. Ms. Barbi, let me make this pellucidly, transparently clear-I understood the brevity of the situation when I took on commitment to provide emergency care for my nieces and nephew seriously--their safety , well being as well as providing a loving, nurturing environment as well as keeping them all together. And, at no time while children were under my care --officially or unofficially* [*issue broached below] was mother allowed near children. You also state that, IS Dawna Benavidez, while delivering my 4 children to my home to my home that same evening, that she iterated said to me as well. FACT. No--she did not. At no time while she was in my home did we discuss anything pertaining to their mother. She brought in items purchased for children-- helped serve dinner; took photo (s) of children having their meal, seated at dinner table; then left. Now, I did call DB later that night, after children were settled in--mentioned my concern that grandmother was planning to pick up all children when she arrived in Albq., next day and drive to Las Cruces where she planning to move in with her brother or had relocated to Las Cruces-- DB said that had spoken to grandmother earlier, informed her that there is a legal process that she must follow before she can take children from my home.

**March 10, . Grandmother arrives in Albq., was picked up by her Brother at airport where he drove her to scheduled meeting @CYFD /children's court (?) At approx 6 pm that evening, Grandmother and her Brother arrived at my home to pick up children and return to Las Cruces. Ms Hernandez arrived shortly after that and through her statement to both me and Grandmother (.Uncle present as well) where she, a CYFD Official, literally hands over, or in your words -- officially 'transfers care' from me to Grandmother. We asked Ms Hernandez to clarify -- that my responsibility as emergency provided has ended-- that grandmother is now in charge. [ Not verbatim] With Ms Hernandez' knowledge and approval, and expressed permission Grandmother and to my dismay left for Las Cruces without children with her Ms Hernandez' expressed permission to pick up all 4 children my home upon her return-- no date was set. Ms Hernandez was aware that grandmother left children under my care and I was left in an unofficial capacity per Ms Herandez - only in capacity as say...Aunt.
On Sunday March 12. Bc grandmother would not give me a tentative date of return, school/ daycare was concern. We agreed that she would pick them up on Sunday, March 12 bc and planned to register children with Las Cruces scholl district upon her return to Las Cruces. Fact: CYFD was made aware of transfer of care bc Ms Herandez, personally transferred full care and responsibility to grandmother and knew full well that grandmother was leaving

March 11..Spent day with children; borrowed appropriate sized vehicle; safety seats..ordered lunch from subway and drove all children to nearby park---children played, had lunch..a fun time was had by all.

Sunday, March 12 Grandmother agrees to pick up children that after noon. She along along with her Brother ( children's uncle ) arrived at my home at approx 4 pm.,that same sfternoon--her brother loaded tote bags filled with children's belongings/ items CYFD purchased for them-- Grandmother went next door to pick.up.car seat from family member-- they [ grand mother, her brother and ALL 4 children were all loaded into their Uncle's vehicle and drove away. Your account of that day--is blatantly false-- either you were grossly misinformed or entire was made up-- you write that children's mother (my niece) and her mother went together to procure hotel room whereas, I then loaded all 4 children ages 2 - 9 without having proper safety seats then delivered all four children to hotel. .FACT: At no time did I transport any one child, let alone in small vehicle owned and registered under my son's name, something mentioned to you during intake visit.

**" Your statement about not having, having vehicle, could borrow appropriate vehicle is actually nonsensical. Fact I did then, do now. have access to appropriate vehicle at anytime as mentioned to you during intake at my home to accommodate any child, children under my care safely. Ironically.your reference to my having not having a vehicle available-- my lack of vehicle to meet guidelines while transporting children to and from say..scheduled visits parent/CYFD and or say Drs appt; school is actually ironic in that, after talking to my niece last week-- checking to see if she was ok, if she needed anything..had she had chance to visit with children..that day she had a scheduled visit, asked if she needed ride..asked if all four children would be there, only three and 4 yr old [that is being by nonfamily member, owner operator of childe Care center where all 4 children frequented and or some or all may still be utilizing..she said no, 4 yr old will not be there-- why, I asked bc foster parent did not have a vehicle to take him to scheduled visitation appt. Seems to me that as owner and operator of day care, now foster parent has a van parked in front of her place of business daily-- how do I know that bc her business is right in main business hub..have to pass by to get to banks, grocery stores, laundry, barber shop, salon etc.etc. odd don't you think..given required access to a vehicle to care for 1 or more child; adherence rules and regulations. Sadly, she didn't get to see her; perhaps, foster parent was able to find transportation say taxi? Relative? Or perhaps care for other children at her day care took precedence. Out of curiosity and generally speaking -- how does that work? Does a foster parent who owns same day care that fosters a child that also attends said daycare daily, but as day are provider by State.. seems a conflict of interest. Nothing personal re person in sure he/she is a good person; is giving my nephew optimal care.

Monday 13. You, via text, state that you aware that grandmother was granted guardianship; asks if I'd like to continue applic process for foster care being that I had an open application was proceeding to gather, complete requirements -- had been vetted and approved for 48 hr care for my own nieces at that asked that you place my application hold-- well the events that followed that week..whereas grandmother changed her mind re guardianshio ..all four children were displaced again-- how traumatizing it must have been -- how many times in 2 weeks, past few months. As you and Ms Hernadez both know via texts and telephone conversations when I found out what had occured I immediately ask that they all be placed with me-- was told they were placed with my younger sister and my niece and 4 yr old with ASD what of him ..you mentioned that he was placed with non family member-- I then asked, pleaded really to have him placed with me. You told me to sent request to Herandez-- which I did..that is be the ideal person to care for child; would have 1:1 attention and be in the loving care of a family member-- given ,over 20 yrs working with children with disabilities 4ranging from moderate to severe, incl ASDgive me time to consider. Unfortunately by midweek.grandmother changed her mind and denounced guardianship. As soon as I found out that children were needing home..I contacted Ms Barbi and Ms Hernandez to request that all 4 children be placed with me; found that 2 oldest children were placed with my younger sister and her husband, that younged with my niece. (children's cousin) and 4 yr old child with ASD.? Said to Barbi, Hernandez to please place with me..I'd be ideal.placement given my extensive experience, training and education [ BS, MA, Post graduate credentialling EDe. Along with teaching special education for 10 yrs aggregate experience with working with children with moderate to severe disabilities.]>info btw which was updated to appplc as I collected info to complete application pact ..Ms Hernandez responded back that all children have been placed. 4 yr old child has p/#ced with non.family member.. who happ3ns to be daycare owner operator that he and siblings frequented in past full day or after school. He at present with out his mommy, and placed with stranger with Mon family to comfort him. This is perhaps the safest of all.placements..hes just a little child who.needs understanding, care love that only a mother, tia could give..he was is misunderstood in.my experience with.vhilften.with ASD is that people ev family, teachers only see the behavior not the child. I see the child, person, adult first. I may have tough.isues past and present in my "home " to deal with, yet in my "home" with all it's issues noone is discriminated, excluded or judges or turned away, rejected-- in.my home there is compassion, empathy, intellectual.fevrlopment creative artful and yes a safe environment for a child to thrive, develop.to his/ her potential.

Finally..based on my professional observation of 2 yr old and 4 yr old niece and nephew ..they need immediate assessment as to their development Wich is not being met through in a daycare setting..a more intensive therapeutic program.is needed for both..UNM child care and APS (.for 4 yr old ).ISD are more better equipped to address cognitive, physical, communicative skills..