pg_0001

.167211.1

SENATE JOINT MEMORIAL 37

TH LEGISLATURE

- STATE OF NEW MEXICO -

FIRST SESSION

, 2007

INTRODUCED BY

Linda M. Lopez

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT TO STUDY

MET AND UNMET NEEDS OF STUDENT PARENTS FOR CHILD CARE.

WHEREAS, student parents attend schools throughout the

state and have needs for adequate child care for their progeny

so that they can continue their own education; and

WHEREAS, in the Albuquerque south valley, a group of

student parents has identified the needs of student parents in

middle school, high school, community college and university

and has found their needs inadequately met; and

WHEREAS, staff at child care centers should be qualified,

licensed and available, but this is not consistently the case;

and

WHEREAS, the ratio of children to adults at child care

centers is often too high; and

pg_0002

.167211.1

WHEREAS, child care centers used by student parents are

often available on an inadequate schedule, too expensive or

inconveniently located; and

WHEREAS, the responsibility of child care centers to

report on their activities and to be held accountable is spread

too broadly throughout agencies and committees, and the reports

of child care centers should be transparent and widely

available; and

WHEREAS, student parents rely on decent child care in

order to improve the likelihood that they and their children

will lead productive lives and achieve economic and educational

success;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE

STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the children, youth and families

department study the met and unmet needs for child care for

student parents and report its findings to the welfare reform

oversight committee or another appropriate interim legislative

committee during the 2007 interim; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be

transmitted to the secretary-designee of the children, youth

and families department, the superintendent of Albuquerque

public schools, the chair of the interim welfare reform

oversight committee and the governor.

- 2 -