A JOINT MEMORIAL
REQUESTING THE CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES DEPARTMENT AND
THE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO STUDY FUNDING AND ACTIVITIES
RELATING TO OUT‑OF‑SCHOOL PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOL‑AGED CHILDREN.
WHEREAS, the hours before and
after school, particularly from three to eight p.m., and during the summer
months have all been shown to be the most at‑risk periods in a child's
life; and
WHEREAS, research has shown the
availability of positive youth development activities for children and youth to
be a significant contributor to student success in and out of school, including
social‑emotional and intellectual growth; and
WHEREAS, access to safe places,
caring adults and constructive activities in the after school hours, in
particular, positively influence youth development; and
WHEREAS, the legislature has
supported children and youth programs during out‑of‑school hours as
a preventive intervention strategy for at‑risk children and a response to
the needs of children and families; and
WHEREAS, the investment of
public dollars in programs which directly address children and youth issues is
a fundamental support in most New Mexico communities;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED
BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the children, youth and
families department in cooperation with the labor department, state department
of public education, department of health and other appropriate agencies be
requested to identify direct dollars being expended to support local community,
school or nonprofit organizations that operate out‑of‑school,
before or after school programs, including programs related to tutoring,
homework help, literacy support, youth leadership training, service‑learning,
twenty‑first century learning centers, arts, health and wellness and
other enrichment‑oriented learning activities for school‑aged
children; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the
cooperative agreement advisory committee, which was formed by executive order,
be requested to conduct a study providing a description and accounting of out‑of‑school
programs, including overall purpose, key activities, participants served and
state dollars invested, in coordination with all major departments for the
fiscal years 2001 through 2003 to gain a complete and accurate picture of
public investment in out‑of‑school programs; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that
advice on the scope and effect of these programs be sought from leaders in the
field, service providers, parents and youth through appropriate government
outreach vehicles, such as maternal child health councils and related agency
advisory bodies; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that given
the availability of transportation services in all school districts, special
attention be given to the needs, challenges and potential solutions associated
with providing adequate and appropriate state subsidized transportation to and
from these out‑of‑school programs; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a
summary report be issued on the findings of this study, including total dollars
invested in each county and municipality by program area and impact, with
recommendations on relevant issues requiring further study and attention; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the
cooperative agreement advisory committee and the children, youth and families
department report their findings and recommendations to the legislative
education study committee by November 2003; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that
copies of this memorial be
transmitted to the children,
youth and families department
and the director of the
legislative education study committee
for distribution.