Santa Fe New Mexican--“The data says to me that the policy approach that we have taken over the last eight to 10 years has not been working,” said James Jimenez, executive director of the Albuquerque-based advocacy group New Mexico Voices for Children, which works closely with the Casey Foundation. “It says that we really don’t have much of a commitment to improving the lives of children,” Jimenez added.
KRWG--Many great organizations, both state agencies and nonprofits, are hard at work addressing the major components of child development and care. Organizations such as New Mexico Kids, Farm to Table New Mexico, the Brindle Foundation and New Mexico Voices for Children address a wide range of issues, such as early childhood education, food security and safe neighborhoods.
Santa Fe Reporter--“It would be one thing if the economy was booming and there were job opportunities,” says James Jimenez, executive director of New Mexico Voices for Children, “[But] I think it’s bad policy to try and link poverty reduction strategies with ensuring that people have enough to eat.”
NMPolitics.net--Much of New Mexico’s array of scenic beauty has been enhanced and protected by a relatively little-known federal program called the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Unfortunately, at the end of the federal fiscal year, the sun will set on one of our country’s greatest conservation programs if Congress fails to reauthorize it. The loss of the LWCF would not bode well for America.
NM Political Report--Amber Wallin, the Deputy Director of New Mexico Voices for Children, pointed to the recent tax cut that became law as a driving force for the desire to cut federal spending from social welfare programs. “We just had a $1.4 trillion tax cut that mainly goes to wealthy individuals, the most well-connected, the biggest corporations,” she said. “But at the same time we’re cutting crucial benefits for the kids and families who need them the most. It’s just unacceptable.”
Public News Service--"When you look at the list of the different traumas and which states are doing well and which states are not, you see a strong correlation with childhood poverty," Wallin says. "Childhood poverty is one of the adverse childhood experiences. But we also know it is related to a lot of other issues that many children and families face."
New Mexico In Depth--“Children are resilient, and with strong support systems and attentive families, they can often overcome the challenges of having one adverse childhood experience,” said Amber Wallin, deputy director of New Mexico Voices for Children, a child advocacy organization. “But it’s the cumulative effects of several ACEs that are most concerning, and that’s where New Mexico fares poorly.”
Las Cruces Sun-News--If you can find an investment with a higher rate of return, that has the added benefit of improving the state’s economy and quality of life for all, we’d love to hear about it.
Albuquerque Journal--It was discouraging to see a bunch of anti-Medicaid letters parroting Governor Martinez’s inaccuracies about the cost of the program. The truth is, Medicaid is saving the state money while providing care to our children, seniors, the disabled, and neighbors in need—thanks in large part to the Affordable Care Act.
Associated Press--Operators of community health centers in New Mexico watched warily on Wednesday as congressional committees in Washington wrestled with proposals to extend crucial funding for clinics that are a mainstay of rural health care in the state. Federal funding expired at the end of September for federally qualified health centers, along with a popular health insurance program for children from low-income families.