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

REQUESTING THE CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT TO CREATE A TASK FORCE TO DEVELOP A PLAN TO EXPAND THE CURRENT COLLABORATION MODEL BETWEEN HEAD START PROVIDERS AND OTHER CHILD CARE PROVIDERS, BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE.

WHEREAS, the federal head start program spends a total of forty-one million six hundred ninety-five thousand six hundred seventeen dollars ($41,695,617) per year in New Mexico on seven thousand five hundred sixty-four children, an average five thousand five hundred twelve dollars ($5,512) per child; and

WHEREAS, the state of New Mexico spends sixty-seven million one hundred twenty-one thousand nine hundred ninety-nine dollars ($67,121,999) per year with block grant and general fund money on twenty-four thousand children, an average two thousand seven hundred ninety-six dollars ($2,796) per child; and

WHEREAS, federally supported pre-kindergarten programs and preschool programs strengthen and expand existing early care through child care providers and education networks and programs; and

WHEREAS, collaboration between head start providers and all other child care providers could strengthen the delivery of child care in New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, funding for child care should address the needs of all children in New Mexico regardless of whether they live in rural or metro areas or whether they attend a public or private child care program;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the children, youth and families department be requested to create a task force to develop a plan to expand the current collaboration model between head start providers and other child care providers, both public and private; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force be composed of child care experts, parents, children's advocates, child care providers, head start providers and others with appropriate interests to assist the development of the plan; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the secretary of children, youth and families and the task force present the plan and legislative recommendations to the appropriate committee by October 2002; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the secretary of children, youth and families.