Jan 20 2022

Well-being of local children similar to state in most areas

2023-02-14T14:12:58-07:00Economic Security News Coverage, Education News Coverage, Health News Coverage, Kids Count News Coverage, News Coverage, Racial and Ethnic Equity News Coverage|

Roswell Daily Record--Amber Wallin, deputy director, said that Chaves County’s outcomes are often tied closely to the fortunes of the oil and gas industry. “Those are things like poverty rates, child abuse rates that are linked to that,” said Wallin. “We know when parents have steady wages and good steady income that is a good predictor of how children are doing.” She added that the pandemic had a dramatically different effect on people depending on their social circumstances.

Jan 20 2022

2021 Kids Count Data Book indicates positives but also continued challenges

2023-02-14T14:13:58-07:00Economic Security News Coverage, Education News Coverage, Human Rights/Civic Participation News Coverage, Kids Count News Coverage, News Coverage, Racial and Ethnic Equity News Coverage|

NM Political Report--Amber Wallin, executive director of NMVC, said New Mexico legislators should continue to enact legislation that will positively impact families and children, particularly families of color. “During this Legislative session we’re continuing to focus on public policy to provide robust safety net support, especially in direct economic assistance for families who need it the most, especially for low-income front line workers, refugee and immigrant families unable to access key forms of relief,” she said.

Jan 19 2022

NM Kids Count says pandemic undermined child well-being

2023-02-14T14:15:49-07:00Economic Security News Coverage, Education News Coverage, Health News Coverage, Kids Count News Coverage, News Coverage, Racial and Ethnic Equity News Coverage|

Albuquerque Journal--“If lawmakers continue putting kids and families first, we expect to see even more improvements, Wallin said. “However, in order to ensure an equitable recovery from the pandemic and recession, these policies must consider the unique barriers faced by our children, families, and communities of color.”

Nov 11 2021

Our history classes need a refresh

2023-02-14T14:26:26-07:00Education News Coverage, Kids Count News Coverage, News Coverage|

Santa Fe New Mexican--It’s a well-known fact that New Mexico has one of the worst education systems in the country. The 2021 Kids Count report from New Mexico Voices for Children shows New Mexico recently ranked last among states for education. This shouldn’t be a surprise to students or their parents who feel our state’s education system is failing them.

Oct 25 2021

Advocates urge more investment in youth at New Mexico Voices for Children conference

2023-02-14T14:27:08-07:00Economic Security News Coverage, Education News Coverage, Health News Coverage, Kids Count News Coverage, News Coverage|

Santa Fe New Mexican--“Equality of opportunity is not something that just happens,” said the organization’s deputy director, Amber Wallin. “Moving forward, we have to pass policy that supports families, prioritizes children and … improves opportunities for women and communities of color in our state.”

Jul 24 2021

When inspiration isn’t enough

2023-02-14T14:37:42-07:00Economic Security News Coverage, Kids Count News Coverage, News Coverage|

Las Cruces Sun-News--New Mexico ranked 49th in child well-being based on data gathered before the coronavirus pandemic. The year before, our state was 50th. New Mexico Voices for Children partners with the Annie E. Casey Foundation to release the annual Kids Count report that tracks 16 metrics of children's access to education, health and economic and social stability at home.

Jun 27 2021

Pre-pandemic improvement in child well-being a glimpse at what investments can do

2023-02-14T14:38:38-07:00Blog Posts, Economic Security Blog, Economic Security News Coverage, Education Blog, Education News Coverage, Health Blog, Health News Coverage, Kids Count Blog, Kids Count News Coverage, News Coverage|

Las Cruces Sun-News--Incremental improvements show us both that progress is possible and also that creating the nurturing environments our kids deserve and need to thrive will require bold and sustained actions and investments.

Jun 21 2021

Kids Count: New Mexico improves to 49th in child wellbeing

2023-02-14T14:40:55-07:00Economic Security News Coverage, Education News Coverage, Health News Coverage, Kids Count News Coverage, News Coverage|

Associated Press--“It’s encouraging to see that child wellbeing in New Mexico was improving before the pandemic hit,” said James Jimenez, executive director for New Mexico Voices for Children, which partners with the foundation. He’s cautiously optimistic that state policies “helped offset some of the health and financial problems caused by the pandemic.”

Jun 21 2021

New Mexico moves up to 49th in rank for child welfare

2023-02-14T14:41:29-07:00Economic Security News Coverage, Education News Coverage, Health News Coverage, Kids Count News Coverage, News Coverage|

Santa Fe New Mexican--New Mexico traditionally has not done well in the Kids Count rankings, usually swapping the 49th and 50th spots with Mississippi. But Jimenez said there are some reasons for optimism as New Mexico looks to the future, including the expansion of Medicaid several years ago and a just-passed working families tax credit that could reduce child poverty.

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