NEW MEXICO (Washington Insider Magazine) – New Mexico is boosting a programme that covers the child care costs, potentially making it free for several households in the southwestern state.
According to ABC NEWS, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced last Thursday that the state’s Early Childhood Education and Care Department analysts estimate that around 30,000 additional families will be able to take full advantage of New Mexico’s Child Care Assistance Program beginning in May, more than doubling the number of households who are currently participating.
According to the release from the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department, the expansion will last through June 30, 2023.
Child care copayments are eliminated for households earning up to 400 percent of the federal poverty line, or $111,000 for a family of 4. The United States Government of Health and Human Services decides poverty levels, and for 2022, the federal department established a poverty threshold of $27,750 for a family of 4 in the District of Columbia and the 48 surrounding states.
In the United States, the expense of child care is a considerable financial hardship for many families.
According to new survey data from the Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children and Families, many families spend between 10% to 20% of their household finances for child care, including early childhood education. Many women quit working during the pandemic to look after their children at home, causing a halt in the return of employees to the working population.
The Economic Policy Institute in New Mexico reports that the average childcare costs in the state is $8,617 per year.
Child care employees are also in short supply, therefore New Mexico will grant stipends to students pursuing higher education in early education, in addition to expanding copay waivers for families.
Students who are eligible can appeal for $2,000 every semester to assist pay for their education at a New Mexico institution or college.
The state is also committing $10 million in funding to child care providers to help them expand or create centers in underprivileged areas.