FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: March 2, 2019
Contact: Chris Nordstrum chris.nordstrum@nmlegis.gov, 415-601-1992
Bill Creating Early Childhood Education and Care Department Passes on Senate Floor
(Santa Fe) Today, Senate Bill 22, legislation that would establish the “Early Childhood Education and Care Department,” a new, cabinet-level department focusing on the needs of New Mexico’s youngest population, passed in the New Mexico Senate on a vote of 39-2. Senator Michael Padilla (D-Bernalillo) is the bill’s sponsor, along with Representative Linda M. Trujillo of Santa Fe.
“Early childhood education and care is our path to prosperity,” says Senator Padilla. “The creation of an Early Childhood Education and Care Department will help New Mexico drive a consistent and accountable method for closing the achievement gap and building a stronger economy.”
The new department would bring together and oversee multiple divisions responsible for the well-being of children and families in New Mexico, including childcare licensing, early childhood education, and early intervention services.
“Placing all early childhood education and care efforts in a unified department will help drive an efficient use of resources that suddenly become fully measurable,” Padilla continues.
In an executive message to the Senate dated February 20, Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham expressed her support for this measure. In the letter she stated: “A child’s early years of life are formative and constitute the foundation for his or her future health, development and scholastic achievement. It is our collective responsibility to ensure New Mexico’s children are afforded the educational opportunities and resources necessary for success.”
Currently three states have standalone state-level departments to oversee their early childhood programs: Washington, Georgia and Massachusetts. Massachusetts has a Department of Early Education and Care, along with a Board of Early Education and Care. Washington has a cabinet-level Department of Early Learning and Georgia has established a Department of Early Care and Learning.
“New Mexico can tackle its widespread poverty issue by preparing our children at the earliest opportunity to succeed,” Senator Padilla concludes.
Senate Bill 22 now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.
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