REQUESTING THE LEGISLATIVE EDUCATION STUDY COMMITTEE AND THE LEGISLATIVE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE TO STUDY THE MEANS TO INCREASE COMPENSATION AND TRAINING FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND FAMILY SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS.

WHEREAS, research studies show that quality early care and education for young children result in improved educational outcomes and lives for those children, along with reduced costs and reduced needs for special education and delinquency programs later; and

WHEREAS, continuity of caregivers and educators is key to providing quality educational experiences for young children; and

WHEREAS, for early childhood education and family support professionals, compensation is a central element in the decision of whether to stay in or leave the field; and

WHEREAS, the current compensation for early childhood education and family support professionals is so low that it is the major reason for the high turnover rate of those professionals; and

WHEREAS, successful models for increasing compensation and staff retention exist in other states;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the legislative education study committee and the legislative health and human services committee be requested to study the issue of compensation, training and retention of early childhood education and family support professionals; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislative education study committee convene a workgroup composed of early childhood educators and professionals, including representatives from the New Mexico association for the education of young children, the New Mexico child care association, families, head start staff, training and technical assistance program staff, New Mexico advocates for children and families, the New Mexico early childhood higher education task force, united way of central New Mexico, the success by six initiative, the Albuquerque child care round table, family support New Mexico, the children, youth and families department, the state department of public education and the department of health; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this workgroup review successful models and develop a plan to increase compensation and training for those professionals so that their salaries are moving toward being commensurate with professionals who have an equivalent education in other fields; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this workgroup report to the legislative education study committee and the legislative health and human services committee by October 1, 2001; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the chairs of the legislative education study committee and the legislative health and human services committee.