New Mexico Statutes Chapter 32A. Children's Code § 32A-3A-2. Definitions

A. “child or family in need of family services” means a family:

B. “family services” means services that address specific needs of the child or family;

C. “guardian” means a person appointed as a guardian by a court or Indian tribal authority;

D. “guardianship assistance agreement” means a written agreement entered into by the prospective guardian and the department or Indian tribe prior to the establishment of the guardianship by a court;

E. “guardianship assistance payments” means payments made by the department to a kinship guardian or successor guardian on behalf of a child pursuant to the terms of a guardianship assistance agreement;

F. “guardianship assistance program” means the financial subsidy program provided for in the Voluntary Placement and Family Services Act;

G. “kinship” means the relationship that exists between a child and a relative of the child, a godparent, a member of the child's tribe or clan or an adult with whom the child has a significant bond;

H. “subsidized guardianship” means a guardianship that meets subsidy eligibility criteria pursuant to the Voluntary Placement and Family Services Act; and

I. “voluntary placement agreement” means a written agreement between the department and the parent or guardian of a child.