Proposed regulation changes could expand access to high-quality child care across New Mexico, making it free to most families residing in the state.
Expanding access to child care in the state was initiated by federal relief money during the pandemic, helping thousands of families.
“We have seen incredible impact on the lives of families across New Mexico,” Elizabeth Groginsky, Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) Cabinet secretary, told KRQE this week. “Thousands of people across New Mexico are going to benefit from these policy changes.”
Though an estimated 7,000 more kids are in care now than last year, the provisions set during the pandemic are about to expire. To continue the expanded access, the department and Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham are proposing regulation changes.
A year ago, the state expanded eligibility for child care assistance to families earning up to 400 times the poverty level, which is approximately $120,000 a year for a family of four, according to KRQE. It also waived parent copays, making child care free for most New Mexico families.
The proposed changes include increasing pay for providers to a minimum rate of $15 per hour and notifying families and providers three months in advance if copayments do come back. The copayment structure is also being revised.
“Any family under 185% of poverty will never have a co-payment again,” Groginsky told KRQE. “The revised copayment structure is guaranteeing that for families in New Mexico forever. We have revised it so that at the top end of 350% poverty, families are not going to pay any more than 5% of their gross monthly income.”
The funding comes from some of the state’s land grant permanent fund approved by voters, KRQE said. The fund adds $140 million to the department’s budget. The department is also receiving funds from the early childhood trust fund created by the state legislature in 2021.
“We’re fortunate here in New Mexico that we’re able to have the resources because of the wisdom of the legislature, the governor, and the voters and the advocates out there in the community who said this is an investment, what we’re calling, a generational, historic and generational opportunity for New Mexico,” Groginsky said.
Public comments on the proposed changes can be made online or at the June 22 ECECD meeting. It will be held from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the PERA Building, Apodaca Hall (2nd floor), 1120 Paseo de Peralta in Santa Fe.
