NM Political Report--New Mexico Voices for Children and CHI St. Joseph’s Children, both of which were sponsors of Monday’s conference, have long pushed for using additional money from the land grant permanent fund to pay for early childhood education. Proposals for such often get held up in the Senate Finance Committee.
Santa Fe New Mexican--Monday’s conference was sponsored by New Mexico Voices for Children, an Albuquerque-based group that advocates for more funding and programs to help young children. The event took place just days before the Baltimore-based Annie E. Casey Foundation plans to release its annual Kids Count report.
Albuquerque Journal--“While the bright spots are encouraging, we cannot lose sight of the fact that the state is failing Black children in many ways,” said James Jimenez, executive director of New Mexico Voices for Children, in a statement. “This report provides us a research-based focus on how we better support Black children and families in New Mexico.”
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.
KUNM FM--“Everyone says that our children are our most important asset, but it doesn’t really mean much if you’re not putting your votes behind the programs that really make a difference,” he said.
Gallup Independent--Like Bill Jordan, senior policy adviser for New Mexico Voices, said, “It’s all about fostering local connections and finding out what’s working, what’s not working, and helping to make changes.”
Gallup Sun--“The Kids Count data is a resource to tell you how your kids are doing,” Jordan said. He said data filters, like looking at statistics by school districts, are easily plugged into data searches to fit various statistical needs. The goal is to get the most accurate data possible, he said. Participants included families—many with children—community organizers, and professionals in the health care industry. Supper was served while discussions took place.
Public News Service--"Childcare is very expensive; it is more expensive than tuition at UNM,” says Kayne. “These are generally young parents who are starting out, and they simply don't have the kind of income that allows them to either have high-quality childcare, or have one parent stay home and take care of kids."
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.