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Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA)

The Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA) Program is designed to support families whose child has been born substance exposed. New Mexico passed legislation in 2019 to provide plans of safe care, which refer families to voluntary support and treatment services for the newborn and their caregivers. During the 2025 New Mexico Legislative Regular Session, the Governor signed Senate Bill 42 into law that made significant changes to the implementation of CARA in New Mexico.

Changes Coming to CARA

As of July 1, 2026, the administrative and oversight responsibilities for CARA will move from the Children, Youth and Families Department to the Health Care Authority.

The Plan of Safe Care (POSC) will include substance use disorder (SUD) treatment or prevention services and will include either Home Visiting services or early intervention Family Infant Toddler (FIT) services.

A universal, evidenced-based screening tool will help providers assess needed services for the mother and evaluate the health of the newborns.

Hospitals and health care providers will be trained on CARA and the Screening, Brief Intervention, and Referral to Treatment (SBIRT) model.

How CARA helps newborns and mothers

CARA aims to reduce the stigma surrounding substance use during pregnancy and increase access to services. Universal substance use screening helps providers refer patients to the program during and after pregnancy.

CARA connects pregnant people to evidence-based harm reduction support services to help them meet their health goals.

CARA supports families with physical and emotional needs during and after pregnancy and referrals to community-based support services that enhance family development and support the child’s growth and health.

CARA Navigators

With the Department of Health and HCA, CARA Navigators will work closely with families, hospital staff, and managed care organizations (MCOs) to identify needs and coordinate services for the newborn, mother, and family. CARA Navigators will work with families during pregnancy, provide in person support and information at the hospital, and will support and follow the mother and baby after discharge.

A Plan of Safe Care (POSC) to Support Families

A Plan of Safe Care, developed for each family, helps to ensure stability, safety, and well-being after leaving the hospital. The Plan of Safe Care may include, but are not limited to:

Medical & Behavioral Health Services
Substance Use Treatment & Recovery programs
Early Childhood services such as Home Visiting, Early Intervention, and Child Care
Assistance with other programs such as TANF, SNAP, WIC, and housing support

CARA Navigator Work Group

The CARA Navigator work group will create processes for DOH CARA Navigators to access information about members in the CARA Program who are identified prenatally, intrapartum, postpartum or in the emergency department and connect with these individuals to assist with fulfilling the plans of safe care. The CARA Navigators will be responsible for creating touch points and documentation as well as ensuring that referrals are completed via closed loop processes.

CARA Hospital Presence Work Group- The CARA Hospital Presence work group will create processes to act as a hub among the following stakeholders: facilities, CARA Navigators, CYFD, and MCOs. The processes must ensure timely Plan of Safe Care initiation and Safety Plans for Children in State Custody Situations as well as compliance with state and federal regulations.

CARA Plan of Safe Care Work Group- The CARA Plan of Safe Care work group will update the existing POSC template and expand it to include record of documentation for CARA Navigator Touch Points and all interdisciplinary actions.   This work group will also define ‘compliance’ metrics and outcomes for the POSC. This work group will draft patient information and informed consent documents to be standardized for use in all health care settings in the state.

CARA Training Work Group– The CARA Training work group will work with BHSD to identify screening tools and create training and protocols for health care providers across the state. This work group will also be responsible for aligning training with national standards for perinatal people with substance use disorders, as well as training providers in screening newborns.

CARA POSC Portal Work Group- The CARA Plan of Safe Care Portal Development work group will be a cross-state agency team responsible for researching and selecting a portal vendor, creating processes for the portal as required by SB42, influencing components of the portal, and holding testing sessions with providers to elicit feedback. This work group will create training for providers to use the portal.

CARA Tribal Work Group– The CARA Tribal work group will be responsible for oversight of interventions to ensure cultural safety, as well as ensuring timely communications with all Tribal Nations about individuals enrolled in a CARA POSC.

The application closes October 21, 2025. The survey asks for basic contact info and the experiences and background that drive your interest.

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