ECECD News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) presented Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s FY25 agency budget request to the House Finance and Appropriations Committee Thursday at the New Mexico State Capitol.
The Executive Budget Recommendation for ECECD is $800 million, with requested increases that would maintain expanded child care assistance eligibility, expand access to high-quality infant and toddler child care, continue the historic expansion of New Mexico’s PreK/Early PreK programs, and increase investments in quality and workforce supports.
“Under this administration, New Mexico has established one of the top early childhood education and care systems in the nation,” ECECD Cabinet Secretary Elizabeth Groginsky said. “This proposed budget builds on those successes and maintains our momentum as we create a comprehensive, equitable, affordable, and high-quality system that meets the needs of families and children in our state. Today, we are laying the foundation that generations of New Mexicans will build their futures upon.”
During the hearing, members expressed strong support for ECECD’s vision and lauded the agency’s track record improving access to early childhood programs and services, with Rep. Anthony Allison (Dist. 4 – San Juan) commenting, “…I think that your agency is one of our best investments.”
Highlights from ECECD’s Executive Budget Recommendation:
- $75m to maintain expanded child care assistance eligibility and expand access to high-quality care for infants and toddlers through contracted slots
- $33m to serve up to 2,700 additional children in PreK and Early PreK
- $30m to improve quality supports for child care and PreK, coaching and professional development on early literacy and social and emotional development, and improve the compensation of infant and toddler teachers
General Fund Special Appropriation Requests include:
- $7m to increase the number of families participating in evidence-based home visiting that is funded through Medicaid through incentives and a more coordinated intake and referral system
- $3m to increase child care supply through low-interest loans for child care businesses
