45th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2001

REQUESTING THE CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT TO LEAD A STUDY OF THE OPTIMUM STAFFING NEEDS FOR INFANT CHILD-CARE PROGRAMS.

WHEREAS, a child's early brain development is an on-going process of circuitry development, with studies showing that early experiences have a dramatic impact on this growth, sometimes increasing or decreasing growth by as much as twenty-five percent; and

WHEREAS, as the quality of care infants receive directly impacts their growth, it is crucial that their caregivers are well-trained and healthy in every respect in order that their interaction with the infants paves the way to formation of healthy emotional and intellectual development; and

WHEREAS, small groups and low child-to-adult caregiver ratios create environments that promote optimal development of infants and toddlers; and

WHEREAS, adequate reimbursement rates for early childhood teachers and caregivers is critical to retaining high-quality, experienced personnel; and

WHEREAS, the New Mexico requirement of one adult caregiver to every six infants, set by the children, youth and families department, does not meet the nationally-recognized standard for quality care for infants;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the children, youth and families department be requested to appoint and lead a task force of early childhood professionals to examine national best-practice standards for infants-to-caregiver ratios and develop a plan to implement a four-to-one ratio standard in all licensed child-care settings; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force include representatives of statewide groups of parents for the education of young children, advocates for families and children, child-care associations, family child-care groups, early head-start groups, early childhood higher education and a statewide pediatric association; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the children, youth and families department notify the legislative council of the appointees at its May 2001 meeting and report progress on the work of the task force to the interim legislative health and human services committee at its July 2001 meeting and present its findings and recommendations to that committee and to the legislative finance committee at their respective meetings in November 2001; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be sent to the secretary of children, youth and families, to the interim legislative health and human services committee and to the legislative finance committee.