NOTE:  As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended only for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used for other purposes.

 

The most recent FIR version (in HTML & Adobe PDF formats) is available on the Legislative Website.  The Adobe PDF version includes all attachments, whereas the HTML version does not.  Previously issued FIRs and attachments may be obtained from the LFC in Suite 101 of the State Capitol Building North.

 

F I S C A L   I M P A C T   R E P O R T

 

 

SPONSOR:

Miera

 

DATE TYPED:

3/15/03

 

HB

700/aHAFC

 

SHORT TITLE:

Youth Program Public- Private Partnerships

 

SB

 

 

 

ANALYST:

Dunbar

 

APPROPRIATION

 

Appropriation Contained

Estimated Additional Impact

Recurring

or Non-Rec

Fund

Affected

FY03

FY04

FY03

FY04

 

 

 

 

See Narrative

 

 

 

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

 

Relates to:  SB 295, HB 199

 

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

 

Responses Received From

Department of Health (DOH)

Health Policy Commission (HPC)

Children Youth and Families Department (CYFD)

New Mexico State Department of Education (NMSDE)

Human Services Department (HSD)

Department of Finance (DFA)

New Mexico Department of Labor (NMDOL)

 

SUMMARY

 

     Synopsis of HAFC Amendment

 

 The House Appropriation and Finance Committee amends the bill by:

 

·        Removing the appropriation.

·        Providing for CYFD, SDE, DOH, HSD and DOL to contract for programs, subject to appropriations provided for that purpose which is funded through a public-private partnership for community-based after-school programs for youth.

·        Ensuring that private matching funding is available and committed for the purpose of the contract.

 

The amendment requires DOH and the other four state agencies to develop public/private partnerships for funding after-school and other youth services with existing resources. 

 

     Synopsis of Original Bill

 

House Bill 700 appropriates $250,000 from the general fund to the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA) for expenditure in FY 2004 to provide matching funds in support of public/private partnerships that fund community-based after-school and other prevention services and programs for youth.  The funds would be allocated at $50,000 each to the Departments of Health, Human Services, Labor, Children, Youth and Families and the State Department of Education on the condition that the departments demonstrate to DFA that matching funds are available and committed for youth services.

   

     Significant Issues

 

The New Mexico Forum for Youth in Community (NMFYC) is a diverse public/private partnership that advances the well-being of young people to change how young people are viewed and responded to by communities and major social institutions, and to develop local and state-wide strategies that engage youth in a wide variety of positive and constructive activities.  The Forum works to instill a sense of future possibilities in youth.  Further, the Forum advocates for policies and funding streams that support young people’s full development, and for creation of policy instruments and initiatives that directly impact opportunities for youth.

 

The Department of Health (DOH) is an active participant in this funding partnership between local, state, federal and private funding sources to generate the funds necessary to develop programs to ensure New Mexico’s youth have opportunities within their communities, grounded in the strength of our state’s diversity, and based on respect.  In addition, DOH has engaged its Youth Development Advisory Council to bring the voice of youth to the table as the effort moves forward.

 

Private foundations, such as the Mott Foundation, have sought applications from states and communities with public/private funding partnerships to establish statewide after-school initiatives to develop quality youth programs for out-of-school time and to develop sustainable funding mechanisms utilizing matching funds.

 

NMSDE states that this legislation reflects the understanding that quality out-of-school programs are beneficial to children.  Students who spend one to four hours per week in extracurricular activities are 50% less likely to use drugs and 30% less likely to become teen parents (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services).

 

According to a 2002 SDE report presented to the legislative Welfare Reform Oversight Committee, the New Mexico Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) School Age program is an example of a successful initiative that provides many services beneficial to at-risk students.  While TANF serves students age’s five to eight, it could potentially serve as a model for older children.   The program serves 3,185 children and 1,329 parents in 96 New Mexico school sites in a combination of before school, after-school, holiday and summer programs. All TANF programs are based on:

 

  • Thematic literacy, including mathematics, science, cooking, reading, sports, dance, art, literature, technology, movement, homework and good manners;
  • The school Educational Program for Student Success;
  • Content standards and benchmarks;
  • The local cultural and physical environment;
  • Adult-child learning communities; and
  • Access to museums, libraries and other cultural partners

 

FISCAL IMPLICATIONS

 

The appropriation of $250.0 contained in this bill is a recurring expense to the general fund. Any unexpended or unencumbered balance remaining at the end of FY 04 shall revert to the general

fund.

 

This fiscal year HSD is providing $2.5 million to the State Department of Public Education for this Early Childhood Development/Before and After School program. 

 

If HSD intends to use the $50,000 awarded under HB 700 to expand the existing before-and-after schools programs, which are supported by TANF funds, HSD will require a legislative appropriation in order to access TANF block grant funds to match the $50,000 available under HB 700.

 

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

 

The legislation may require the SDE, in consultation with CYFD, DOH and HSD, to develop guidelines for quality youth after-school and prevention programs.

 

RELATIONSHIP

 

Relates to:

  • SB 295, which would create an cabinet level interagency behavioral health coordinating committee;
  • HB 199, which would to create a youth council and council coordinator position in CYFD.

 

OTHER SUBSTANTIVE ISSUES

 

The DOH has participated in the New Mexico Forum for Youth in Community (NMFYC) for the past three years.  Youth development efforts are an integral part of DOH programming and participation in the Forum is vital to increasing a focus on youth development, including involvement of youth in policy development and program planning.

 

For more than two years, the NMFYC has been meeting to create the organization, vision and scope of work necessary to expand out-of-school and youth development opportunities for all students statewide.  While the NMFYC has had a major role in building infrastructure, mobilizing resources and talent, and focusing on expanded public awareness and more specific public policy agendas, the organization is not yet been able to build greater direct service capacity at the community and school level.

 

Quality after-school and prevention programs can cut crime and violence and transform prime time into productive hours of academic enrichment, recreation and community service.  Good programs keep kids off the street, giving them constructive alternative to gangs, drugs and crime.   Quality year-round programs during the out-of-school time have not been available to all children and youth who need them in New Mexico as a result of such issues as limited resources, geographical distance and resulting transportation challenges.  Several of New Mexico’s larger communities (Albuquerque, Santa Fe, Las Cruces, Taos, and Roswell) have developed imaginative learning options for children and youth.  The availability of 21st Century Learning Centers funds and other resources has provided seed funding for new projects in several other communities.  However, many of New Mexico’s youngsters still lack access to programs that would enable them learn, serve and be challenged to reach their full potential in the after-school hours.

 

BD/njw:yr