New research from The University of New Mexico’s Cradle to Career Policy Institute (CCPI) indicates that while child care subsidies are making care more affordable, some families still face challenges in finding suitable child care.
Researchers at CCPI interviewed 35 New Mexico families who receive child care subsidies through a special eligibility category for those facing complex circumstances such as unstable housing or involvement with child protective services. The subsidy program provides families with a voucher covering the full cost of child care, which can be used with a provider of their choice. Following policy expansions in recent years, it is estimated that more than half of New Mexico children are now eligible for these subsidies. CCPI’s latest study focused on families with complex circumstances who receive additional support in accessing the program.
“Families who qualify for the program can get free child care and it really frees families up economically,” said Hailey Heinz, deputy director of the Cradle to Career Policy Institute.
The study examined these families’ perspectives and experiences using the program and identified several benefits. Findings indicated that the program was easy to use and that families reported positive interactions with specialized eligibility workers supporting those with more complex needs. However, some families experienced difficulties finding child care that met their requirements, particularly those working non-traditional hours or facing transportation challenges. Families of children with special behavioral or health needs also struggled to find available care.
“New Mexico’s made all these investments," Heinz stated. "More families than ever before are accessing child care and getting it for free, which is making a huge difference for them, but there’s more work to do to ensure that child care is available during the hours families need."
According to Heinz, this study represents only a part of CCPI's broader research agenda, which examines how child care subsidies and the sector as a whole are performing in New Mexico for all residents, not just those in special eligibility categories.
“New Mexico is doing all of these different policies to try to expand the supply of child care that meets families' needs and we're trying to evaluate whether those policies are working," Heinz said. "Do families in New Mexico have better access to child care than before these investments? How is access looking for families? Things like that."
The latest research was funded by a $1.5 million federal grant received by CCPI in 2019. Additionally, parts of the Institute’s broader research on child care have been supported by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.