Advocates for NM Families See Chance to Improve Kids’ Lives

by Roz Brown, Public News Service – NM
June 17, 2019

SANTA FE, N.M. – New Mexico is once again ranked 50th out of the 50 states for child well-being in the 2019 KIDS COUNT Data Book, compiled by The Annie E. Casey Foundation.

But children’s advocates see opportunities for improvement.

The rankings are based on four factors – economic well-being, education, health, and family and community – and this is the third time New Mexico has ranked last in the nation.

Amber Wallin, deputy director of New Mexico Voices for Children, says it will take sustained investment to undo the damage from a decade of under-funding of programs that serve families.

“We’re seeing big disparities for our children of color,” she states. “And this is really problematic, especially in New Mexico, because 75% of our kids are children of color. But we also think we’ve made a lot of progress this legislative session in trying to create some opportunities for our kids.”

Read more at Public News Service – NM