By: Gabrielle Uballez and James Jimenez

Six years ago, Governor Lujan-Grisham and the New Mexico Legislature created the Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) to optimize the health, development, education, and well-being of young children across the state. By establishing a coordinated system of high-quality prenatal and early childhood services, the department can ensure every family in New Mexico has access to support during the most important years of a child’s development when 90% of the brain’s neurological foundation is built.

In 2022, New Mexico made their voices heard, voting overwhelmingly to guarantee the right to early childhood education. Since then, we’ve made a significant impact on the lives of families, from single parents to grandparents raising grandchildren to two-parent households, and our early childhood policies have garnered national recognition.

The most recent New Mexico Kids Count State Databook shows that 97% of New Mexico adults with children enrolled in childcare assistance are employed, and more than half of these families receiving childcare assistance have an income of less than $47,000 annually for a family of four.

New Mexico’s investment has also improved quality, with licensed childcare providers earning a 4- or 5-star rating, increasing from 40% in 2018 to 50% today.

We can be proud that New Mexico essentially provides universal free childcare. A family of four with two kids in full-time care can save over $23,000 annually, which, for the average family, could be half of their income. Now, parents can pursue new career opportunities or advance their education with the peace of mind that their children are safe and well cared for.

But we still have work to do!

Senate Joint Resolution 6 (SJR6), sponsored by Senator Padilla, is the next step to sustain these investments. The constitutional amendment would ensure the fund is used exclusively for prenatal and early childhood programs, providing a predictable yearly distribution of $500 million. However, funds would still be appropriated by the legislature, and in the case of catastrophic budget situations, it could be tapped into as a source of revenue.

Passing SJR6 this session will give voters another opportunity to express their belief in the importance of the early years in a child’s development. SJR6 will expand upon the progress we’ve made in building a strong prenatal-to-early-childhood system, ensuring that future generations continue to benefit from these investments.

We share lawmakers’ sense of urgency in making swift progress to improve childhood well-being. But, it’s important to recognize that we are building an early childhood system from the ground up, and only five other states have established early childhood agencies at the cabinet level. This makes our work both groundbreaking and complex.

To ensure equity in access, we must intentionally ensure implementation is data-informed, culturally responsive, and address the real needs of everyday New Mexicans. While we’ve made significant strides, our vision of a fully funded, comprehensive early childhood ecosystem is still a work in progress. Advocates, early childhood professionals, and our organizations are advocating for additional policies, including a wage and career ladder to provide fair compensation for the early childhood workforce, increased access to in-home visiting and maternal health programs, and expanded infrastructure for early education. These investments are essential to achieving lasting impact.

Supporting SJR6 will strengthen New Mexico’s commitment to early childhood education and care. Let’s continue leading the nation by ensuring our youngest children have the support they need to thrive. The future of New Mexico starts with our kids, who deserve every opportunity to succeed.

Gabrielle Uballez is the Executive Director for New Mexico Voices for Children.

James Jimenez is the Executive Director of the New Mexico Voices Action Fund.