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F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T

SPONSOR Ortiz y Pino

DATE TYPED 3/8/2005 HB

SHORT TITLE Children’s Cabinet Act

SB 435/aSPAC/aSFL # 1

ANALYST Dunbar

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained Estimated Additional Impact Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY05

FY06

FY05

FY06

See Narrative

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

LFC Files

Responses Received From

Children Youth and Families Department (CYFD)

Department of Health (DOH)

Human Services Department (HSD)

NM Public Education Department (NMPED)

SUMMARY

Synopsis of SFL# 1 Amendment

The Senate Floor amendment # 1 in the Power, Duties and Goals section changes the ages of

children from those less than 25 years of age to less than 21 years of age. The children’s cabinet

will conduct a study and make recommendations for a design of coordinated system to maximize

outcomes for these children.

Synopsis of SPAC Amendment

The Senate Public Affairs Committee amendment of Senate Bill 435 inserts language that in-

cludes the interim Legislative Health and Human Services Committee and the Legislative Educa-

tion and Study Committee in the twice a year meetings coordinated by the children’s cabinet

with designated NM citizens and public officials.

Senate Bill 435/aSPAC/aSFL # 1 Page 2

Synopsis of Bill

Senate Bill 435 proposes to establish the Children’s Cabinet, permanently and administratively

attached to the Office of the Governor. The Children’s Cabinet would meet at least six times

each year. The New Mexico Children’s Cabinet would be comprised of the Governor, the Lt.

Governor and Agency Heads of the following Departments: Children, Youth and Families, Cor-

rections, Human Services, Labor, Health, Finance and Administration, Economic Development,

Public Safety, and Aging and Long Term Services, and the Office of Indian Affairs, Public Edu-

cation Department.

The Cabinet will make recommendations to the Governor and the legislature by September 1 of

each year. These recommendations will include a child and youth report card identifying the

status and well-being of children and youth and a child and youth policy and inventory budget

identifying state programs and initiatives that affect the well-being of children and youth.

Significant Issues

New Mexico has had a Children’s Cabinet in operation for 2 years. This Cabinet is currently au-

thorized by Executive Order 2003-005. The mandate of the current cabinet was to prepare draft

legislation for introduction in the January 2005 legislative session.

Activities also included:

helping achieve outcomes for children & families, advising the Governor and Legislature on pol-

icy matters; coordinating /integrating /aligning services; developing a budget collaboratively for

children and youth; public outreach and education; and promoting state and local partnerships for

children and families.

Governors' Children's Cabinets are collaborative governance structures that seek to promote co-

ordination across state agencies and improve the well-being of children and families. A strong

and effective Children's Cabinet can improve coordination and efficiency across state depart-

ments and local levels of government, mobilize resources around the governor's priorities for

children and strengthen partnerships with the non-profit and private sectors. At least 16 states

have a Children's Cabinet.

The express goals of the Cabinet are:

•

all children and youth will be physically and mentally healthy;

•

all children and youth will be safe and supported in their families and communities;

•

all children and youth will be ready for and successful in school, able to achieve their full

potential;

•

all children and youth will be able to transition successfully to meaningful and purposeful

adulthood and employment; and

•

all children will be valued contributors and active participants in their communities.

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

There are identified recurring resources in the above noted agencies to support the Children’s

Cabinet.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

The PED, CYFD, HSD and DOH strongly support this legislation. The work of the New Mexico

Senate Bill 435/aSPAC/aSFL # 1 Page 3

Children’s Cabinet could be the most effective way to align systems and improve state services.

TECHNICAL ISSUES

SB 435 Section 2.C line 18 states, “Each year the Children’s Cabinet shall select the governor or

lieutenant governor to be the chairperson.” It may be advisable to clarify how this process will

be determined.

SB 435 Section 2.B line 16 includes the Secretary of Indian Affairs. However, in the public

group referenced in Section 3.C lines 13-21, native representation is not included. Tribal gov-

ernments could be important resources for creation of policies affecting the well being of native

children.

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

Though features vary from state to state, Children's Cabinets typically involve senior state offi-

cials, including cabinet executives from a range of state agencies (i.e., health, mental health, edu-

cation, child care, income supports, child and family services, youth development, labor, and ju-

venile justice services.) Many Children's Cabinets also include representatives of key stake-

holders from the private sector. A Children’s Cabinet can develop and implement a shared vi-

sion across agencies for improving child and family outcomes, improve the state's economy and

prospects for competition in the global marketplace by investing in the education and skills of

children, the state's future workforce, fostering public awareness of major children's issues, en-

gaging new partners in public efforts to serve children and their families, and building a long-

term commitment to children's issues in the state. (Source: National Governors Alliance Center

for Best Practices).

The above note departments agree that:

•

Tracking New Mexico indicators concerning child and youth well being through the child

and youth report card could provide schools, parents, communities and agencies with in-

formation and data critical to improving services and opportunities for New Mexico’s

children and families.

•

The child and youth report card and a child and youth policy and inventory budget could

provide policymakers with comprehensive high-quality data to support public policy de-

cisions that will have a positive long-term impact on the lives of children (KIDS

COUNT, Annie e. Casey Foundation).

•

The comprehensive membership of the Secretaries and the public group, including par-

ents, children, youth, educators, public officials and representatives of faith-based organi-

zations, community-based organizations, philanthropic organizations, public schools, col-

leges and universities, health care providers, nonprofit organizations, youth service pro-

viders and political subdivisions, could serve to ensure that appropriate services are de-

signed, implemented and coordinated to maximize outcomes among children and youth

under age 25, particularly those in disadvantaged situations.

•

The child and youth policy and inventory budget could identify state programs and initia-

tives that affect the well-being of children and youth, including proposed budget alloca-

tions toward outcome areas based on age, ethnicity and special target populations as de-

Senate Bill 435/aSPAC/aSFL # 1 Page 4

termined by the Children’s Cabinet. This report could provide objective evidence and

data to enhance results and performance accountability, decision making and budgeting.

BD/sb:yr