45th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2002

REQUESTING THE CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT TO STUDY ALL POSSIBLE MEANS OF PROVIDING HEALTH INSURANCE AND RETIREMENT BENEFITS FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND FAMILY SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS IN NEW MEXICO.

WHEREAS, the majority of New Mexico's early childhood education and family support professionals have limited or no health insurance or retirement benefits; and

WHEREAS, the lack of health insurance and retirement benefits is a major contributing factor in the high rate of turnover in the field, and access to these benefits may result in greater retention of early childhood education and family support professionals; and

WHEREAS, the lack of health insurance and retirement benefits contributes to fewer qualified people being attracted to the field; and

WHEREAS, continuity of caregivers is critical to ensuring high quality educational experiences for young children; and

WHEREAS, research shows that high quality education for young children results in improved educational outcomes, reduced costs and reduced needs for special education and

delinquency programs later on; and

WHEREAS, models for providing health insurance and retirement benefits exist in other states;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the office of child development of the children, youth and families department lead a study of the mechanisms for the provision of health insurance and retirement benefits for early childhood education and family support professionals; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, to accomplish the study, the children, youth and families department include representation from early childhood educators, professionals, associations and organizations representing the needs of young children and the professionals who care for them; the department of health; the children, youth and families department; and the state department of public education; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study include review of successful models in other states and development of a plan to make health insurance and retirement benefits available for these professionals; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the children, youth and families department and the office of child development report progress and recommendations to the legislative education study committee and the legislative health and human services committee at their respective October 2002 meetings; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be sent to the children, youth and families department, the department of health, the state department of public education, the legislative education study committee, the interim legislative health and human services committee

and other appropriate parties.