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ECECD News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) presented Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham’s 2025 agency budget request to the House Appropriations Committee at the New Mexico State Capitol on Thursday.
The Executive Budget Recommendation for ECECD is $800 million to maintain expanded child care subsidy eligibility, expand access to quality infant and toddler child care, and continue the historic expansion of New Mexico’s PreK/Early PreK program. and an increase accompanied by an increase in investment. in quality and workforce support.
“Under this administration, New Mexico has established one of the best early childhood education and care systems in the nation,” said ECECD Cabinet Secretary Elizabeth Groginski. “This proposed budget builds on these successes and continues our momentum in creating an inclusive, equitable, affordable, and high-quality system that meets the needs of families and children across our state.” Today, we are laying the foundation on which generations of New Mexicans will build their futures.”
During the hearing, members expressed strong support for ECECD’s vision and praised the agency’s track record of improving access to early childhood programs and services, with Congressman Anthony Allison (4th District, San Juan) He commented as follows. Some of our best investments. ”
Highlights of ECECD’s Executive Budget Recommendation:
- $75 million to maintain expanded child care eligibility and expand access to quality care for infants and young children through contract facilities
- $33 million to serve up to 2,700 additional children in preschool and early preschool
- $30 million to improve quality child care and preschool supports, coaching and professional development for early literacy and social and emotional development, and improve compensation for early childhood and early childhood teachers.
General Fund special spending requests include:
- $7 million to increase the number of families participating in evidence-based home visiting. This visit is funded through Medicaid through incentives and a more tailored intake and referral system.
- $3 million to increase child care supply through low-interest loans for child care businesses
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