Most American families struggle to afford child care, but as of November 1, families in New Mexico now have access to universal, free child care because the state eliminated income eligibility requirements. While implementation is in its early stages, New Mexico is paving the way for all states by showing universal child care is a realistic, rational, and popular investment for policymakers to make.
Want to hear more about how they did it? Join us on January 14, 2026, from 3:00-4:15pm ET, to hear about the solutions New Mexico policymakers chose to implement over more than a decade, and the advocacy strategies that influenced them.
The leaders behind this success will share valuable lessons for other states interested in advancing similarly bold solutions for children and families. Advocates from New York and Texas will also share reflections about how the news from New Mexico is influencing their discourse, goals, and plans for child care in their states.
Our guests will include:
- Elizabeth Groginsky, Secretary, New Mexico Department of Early Childhood Education and Care
- Matthew Henderson, Executive Director, OLÉ Education Fund
- Jacob Vigil, Chief Legislative Officer, New Mexico Voices for Children
Don’t miss the chance to go inside this history-making win for young children and their families.