Workforce and Governance Issues Top Concerns in Early Childhood

By NMECDP

In partnership with the Native American Budget and Policy Institute, NMECDP reached more than 300 people in early childhood in 39 communities and 160 organizations. The team held ten community conversations, conducted dozens of key informant interviews, compiled a participant survey, and polled likely voters in order to produce the Community Outreach Report which includes policy recommendations for moving forward in early childhood.

Three policy recommendations are included in the report, 1) the creation of an Early Childhood Services Department which would create alignment in service delivery, 2) the need for strategic workforce development and planning to address low-wages and other issues for early childhood professionals, and 3) the need to expand early childhood programs with quality.

Of note, the report drew on a recent poll by Research & Polling which found that “three-quarters of New Mexico’s registered voters support dedicating more funds… to expand New Mexico Pre-K programs and two-thirds think State government needs to be doing more to ensure children in New Mexico begin kindergarten with the knowledge and skills they need to do their best in school.”