Veronica Krupnick

Background

About Veronica Krupnick

I am proudly an Indigenous Advocate (Hopi/Jemez) within the local, state and national child welfare community. After serving for nearly 5 years as a Youth Specialist and the Mentorship, Advocacy and Peer Support Program Coordinator at CASA First (Court-Appointed Special Advocates, First Judicial District), I transitioned to serve as the organization's Vice President of the Board of Directors. In Fall 2022, I began my venture into the New Mexico Legislature, first serving as a campaign assistant and then the Senate Liaison and Office Support for the House Majority Office. In my current position as a Leadership Analyst for the New Mexico House of Representatives Majority Leader, I feel that I am able to provide essential background, education and specialty on issues and priorities relating to the protection of children and families in New Mexico, specifically those system-impacted by child welfare. I have been able to share my personal lived expertise with foster care and adoption with local, state, and national stakeholders, and have established myself as a strong voice for those in the foster care and juvenile justice system. I often push and encourage stakeholders to think critically, gain a deeper and more personal understanding of this experience, and to center and prioritize lived experience voices. My current child welfare advocacy includes serving as a member of the National Child Welfare and Racial Equity Collaborative, a member of the Racial Equity Grant Team with FosterClub, and as the Co-Chair of the Training Committee, focused on expanding education and training on the Indian Family Protection Act and the Indian Child Welfare Act, for the New Mexico Partners. I believe system transformation is attainable, when we empower and center the voices of those who have been and are directly impacted, as well as those who have been historically underrepresented and excluded. I truly aspire to be a role model, a supportive and positive mentor, and a fierce and dedicated voice for other children, youth and young people impacted by the child welfare system, especially those from tribal communities.