Alex McCausland

Oct 27 2023

Heinrich, Fellow Senators Introduce Legislation to Help New Mexico Continue to Provide Free School Meals

Alex McCausland2023-10-30T11:32:55-06:00Economic Security News Coverage, Education News Coverage, Health News Coverage, News Coverage|

Rio Rancho Observer--“This year, New Mexico became one of the first states to provide healthy school meals to every student in part by leveraging federal meal reimbursements through the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program,” said Emily Wildau, director of New Mexico Kids Count at New Mexico Voices for Children. “But current meal reimbursement rates don’t cover the full cost of school meal programs."

Oct 17 2023

Board Statement on Leadership Transition at NM Voices for Children

Alex McCausland2023-10-17T13:06:45-06:00Press Releases|

It is with deep gratitude that the Board of Directors announces the departure of Amber Wallin as New Mexico Voices for Children’s Executive Director. After 11 years at NM Voices, Amber has accepted a senior position at the State Revenue Alliance. Amber’s final day with NM Voices will be in October of 2023.

Oct 12 2023

Yes to funding sustainable, affordable housing

Alex McCausland2023-10-12T12:55:30-06:00Blog Posts, Economic Security Blog, Economic Security News Coverage, News Coverage, Tax and Budget Blog, Tax and Budget News Coverage|

Santa Fe New Mexican--We support the proposed 3% tax because it’s a fair solution that asks those with plenty to help ensure all Santa Fe families and children have opportunities to thrive in the community they call home. The proposed 3% tax will generate an estimated $6 million per year to support working families in finding homes in Santa Fe, building wealth and raising their children here.

Oct 02 2023

Child Poverty Rates Are Soaring, Forcing States to Step In With Tax Credits

Alex McCausland2023-10-02T12:35:49-06:00Economic Security News Coverage, News Coverage, Tax and Budget News Coverage|

Bloomberg--“Facing the reality of so many families still struggling due to the economic and health impacts of the pandemic, states had to step forward in big ways,” said Amber Wallin, executive director of New Mexico Voices for Children, an advocacy organization.

Oct 02 2023

Several Staff Members Promoted

Alex McCausland2023-10-02T10:29:37-06:00Press Releases|

Five staff members from the policy team at NM Voices for Children have been promoted. Paige Knight, MPP, and Jacob Vigil, MSW, who were both Senior Research and Policy Analysts, have been promoted to Deputy Policy Directors. Javier Rojo, MPA, and Emily Wildau, MPP, who were both Research and Policy Analysts, have been promoted to Senior Research and Policy Analysts. Lydia Paukei, JD, MSW, who was a Tribal Policy Fellow and Research and Policy Analyst, has been promoted to Policy Counsel.

Sep 29 2023

Some States Are Fighting Rising Child Poverty With Tax Credits

Alex McCausland2023-10-02T12:26:18-06:00Economic Security News Coverage, Education News Coverage, News Coverage|

Capital & Main--“It was so positive for families in New Mexico,” said Amber Wallin, executive director of New Mexico Voices for Children. “It helped them pay bills, buy groceries and face the economic challenges of the pandemic. Seeing how much of a difference it made, state lawmakers shifted into gear and passed the credit.”

Sep 29 2023

Child care providers worry about coming loss of federal funds

Alex McCausland2023-10-02T11:58:07-06:00Economic Security News Coverage, Education News Coverage, News Coverage|

Santa Fe New Mexican--“Overall, New Mexico has the potential to weather that decrease in federal funding more than other states, but that means the state will really have to step forward in the 2024 legislative session to fill the gap and ensure parents and providers and kids don’t see disruptions in services,” Wallin said.

Sep 25 2023

Census data shows us poverty is a policy choice

Alex McCausland2023-09-25T10:09:26-06:00Blog Posts, Economic Security Blog, Kids Count Blog, Tax and Budget Blog|

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, economic assistance policies like the expanded federal Child Tax Credit resulted in a record decline in child poverty. Now, with the end of COVID-era assistance, the nation saw a record increase in child poverty – clearly showing us that poverty is a policy choice.

Sep 16 2023

Our State Must Continue Its Historic Investments In Families And Kids

Alex McCausland2023-09-18T13:57:43-06:00Blog Posts, Economic Security Blog, Economic Security News Coverage, Education Blog, Education News Coverage, Health Blog, Health News Coverage, News Coverage, Tax and Budget Blog, Tax and Budget News Coverage|

Rio Rancho Observer--New Mexico’s children deserve every opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential. With the critical funding our Legislature appropriated, these programs will reduce childhood poverty and improve educational outcomes for children. They will also expand economic opportunities for families across New Mexico. And we know that kids do better when families have the resources they need.

Aug 29 2023

As Pandemic Funds Expire, Child-Care Centers Struggle to Survive

Alex McCausland2023-08-29T13:55:14-06:00Economic Security News Coverage, Education News Coverage, News Coverage|

Wall Street Journal--In New Mexico, voters approved the first constitutional amendment guaranteeing funding for early childhood education last November. While the impending loss of Covid-relief funding wasn’t the reason for the amendment’s success, it did increase urgency around its passage, said Amber Wallin, executive director of New Mexico Voices for Children.

About Alex McCausland