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? In this webinar, the leaders behind this success share valuable lessons for other states interested in advancing similarly bold solutions for children and families.
Guests included:
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- 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
Click the button below to watch the recording, or read on for key take-aways and the shared resources.
The webinar highlighted strategies and lessons from New Mexico’s journey to universal child care that can help all states—red, blue, and purple—move toward bold goals for their child care systems. Our conversation with New Mexico leaders who were instrumental in getting the state to this milestone focused on the levers that political leaders used, the role of grassroots organizing, the work to shift narratives and mindsets, and the importance of revenue advocacy.
Advocates from Texas and New York also shared how the news from New Mexico is generating conversations about universal child care in communities and with elected officials.
- Meaningfully engage those who are most impacted—families, providers, educators—at decision-making tables and in their home communities. Share leadership with them throughout the process – from policy development to advocacy to implementation.
- Cultivate, grow, and attract political leadership to the cause. Continually work to align vision between the governor, agency, and the legislature.
- Organize and grow a powerful grassroots base of parents, educators, and providers who will sustain the drumbeat for change over time and apply pressure and hold elected official accountable when necessary.
- Focus on changing narratives and mindsets about child care and early childhood educators, as much as about changing policy.
- Engage in revenue advocacy. Every state has potential funding streams to tap. Elected officials will “pay for” what they care about.
- Don’t wait until the stars align to act. Transforming is a long-term proposition. Start building the base, staking out a North Start with bold positions, proposing ambitious ideas to proactively change the conversation, and advocate for incremental wins that are aligned with your vision. When the opportunity arrives, be ready to push for big changes.
Universal Child Care landing page, New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department
Universal Child Care Brief, New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department
Universal Child Care at a Glance for Providers, New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department
Universal Child Care at a Glance for Families, New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department
Universal Child Care at a Glance for Nations, Pueblos, and Tribes, New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department
FAQs by role, New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department
New Mexico’s Wage Scale and Career Lattice and Framework and Implementation Recommendations, New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department
Additional Resources:
New York State Child Care for All: The Plan to Achieve It, Empire State Campaign for Child Care
Statement on Governor Hochul and Mayor Mamdani’s Historic Child Care Announcement, Empire State Campaign for Child Care
Grassroots and Coalition Building Efforts Lead to a Successful New Mexico Ballot Initiative for a Permanent Early Childhood Revenue Stream, Alliance for Early Success