SENATE MEMORIAL 23

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2017

INTRODUCED BY

Pete Campos

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT TO CONVENE A TASK FORCE TO STUDY HOW TO INCREASE COMMUNICATION, COORDINATION AND COLLABORATION AMONG EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICE PROVIDERS.

     WHEREAS, in the past, New Mexico pre-kindergarten state funds and programs have displaced and supplanted federal funding, resulting in the reversion of substantial funding back to the federal government; and

     WHEREAS, the reversion of these funds resulted in the under-enrollment at various New Mexico head start and child care programs around the state; and

     WHEREAS, under-enrollment in New Mexico head start programs may result in permanent reversion of funds to the federal government; and

     WHEREAS, in the past, limited state dollars have been unevenly allocated, with some communities with early childhood services for four-year-olds receiving disproportionately more funding than other communities; and

     WHEREAS, the disproportionate funding has led to financial stress and closure of some private and nonprofit programs; and

     WHEREAS, when child care programs close, some services, such as infant and toddler services, are lost; and

     WHEREAS, increased communication, collaboration and coordination among the children, youth and families department, the public education department and early childhood service providers would help working parents or parents attending school to obtain better information on access to the variety of services available to families with children from birth through five years old; and

     WHEREAS, such collaboration and coordination has the potential to maximize state resources and to prevent duplication of efforts; and

     WHEREAS, combined funding sources and services could strengthen and expand much-needed services for families;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the children, youth and families department be requested to convene a task force to study how to increase communication, coordination and collaboration among early childhood service providers; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be composed of representatives from the children, youth and families department's early childhood services division, the public education department's literacy and early childhood education bureau, the Indian affairs department, New Mexico head start, the New Mexico tribal head start association, the New Mexico association for the education of young children, the New Mexico child care and education association, the New Mexico early learning advisory council and family child care homes; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force report its findings and recommendations to the legislative health and human services committee, the legislative education study committee and the legislative finance committee by October 1, 2017; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of children, youth and families; the secretary of public education; the secretary of Indian affairs; the board chair of New Mexico head start; the board chair of the New Mexico tribal head start association; the executive director of the New Mexico association for the education of young children; the president of the New Mexico child care and education association; and representatives of family child care homes.

- 3 -