(Photo : pxhere)

New Mexico announced it will improve its foster care system after a legal settlement on Thursday.

Kevin spent most of his life going in and out of many foster homes after becoming a teenage victim of sexual abuse. He also cycled in and out of treatment centers, including one where staff members and residents allegedly restrained and harmed him repeatedly.

Diana entered New Mexico's foster care system at 14. Suffering from severe mental health disorders, she received nine psychiatric medications over the course of a year. The staff monitored her infrequently. She became "mostly uncommunicative" after two years in state custody.

Justin, whose parents were crystal meth users, did not receive adequate mental and behavioral health care after he witnessed his sister die in a house fire.

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Advocates for the three victims, along with 11 other foster children, sued the state in 2018 for its 'broken foster care system.' The lawsuit claimed the system was ill-equipped and understaffed.

They also claim the system was traumatizing to troubled children as it has continuously failed to provide basic mental health care services and a safe foster home to its charges.

New Mexico said it has decided to overhaul its foster care system as it aims to make a safer environment for the state's foster youth.

The state agreed to impose early screenings to diagnose and treat possible trauma. The agreement included reforms to give vulnerable children an easy access to necessary mental health services as well as long-term placement with families and communities that foster a good and culturally appropriate environment for the state's charges.

Foster parents and caseworkers will also receive training on the neurological effects of trauma.

New Mexico's decision is a step toward addressing issues that bring harmful effects to a child including poverty and parental addiction.

A study shows trauma can disrupt healthy brain development which leads to a reduced capacity for learning, processing and regulating emotions, decreased energy, and increased vulnerability to autoimmune disorders, among others. It can also lead to substance abuse, alcohol addiction, and incarceration.

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The need for change is dire in New Mexico as it was ranked last for overall child well-being and has one of the country's highest rate of childhood poverty. The lawsuit also said 18% of youth living in New Mexico experience three or more traumatic events.

In other parts of the country, children entering foster care often have experienced trauma both physical and sexual.

New Mexico has over 2,500 foster youth. Due to fund cuts, some places have only one child psychiatrists or one provider to whom the children rely on for basic services. The lack of staff often leads to kids not getting in the appointments or services they need for stability.

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The settlement was seen as a major victory to child advocacy groups. They believe the win could become a model for foster care reform throughout the country.

New Mexico is the first state to build a system that revolves around addressing the impact of trauma on foster youth. Advocates believe the overhaul is necessary and will be transformative for the children of New Mexico and foster youth across the United States.