New Mexico Launches Free Universal Child Care Initiative Next Week

New Mexico is set to become the first state in the United States to provide free universal child care starting on March 1, 2024. This groundbreaking initiative aims to alleviate the financial burden on families, allowing parents to access child care services without any cost, regardless of their income level. New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, who has been a strong advocate for this program, highlighted its potential impact, stating that families could save an average of $12,000 annually.

Parents in the state have long felt the financial strain of child care expenses. According to CBS News, many families have reported spending more on child care than on their mortgages. For instance, Santa Fe teachers Hannah Mierley and Nathan Herzog currently pay over $14,000 a year for the care of their toddler, Atticus. Herzog expressed the challenge, noting, “It is all of the leftover budget that we have.” Mierley echoed this sentiment, stating, “It’s second to our mortgage.”

Funding for the child care program will be sourced from New Mexico’s oil and gas revenues. Governor Lujan Grisham emphasized the importance of a robust economy, stating, “All sectors of our economy are overperforming. You can’t stay that course unless you have a robust early childhood and child care setting.” The initiative not only covers child care costs but also aims to expand the availability of services by recruiting and licensing more care providers, including qualified family members.

In addition to the child care coverage, the state plans to establish a $12.7 million low-interest loan fund aimed at supporting the construction, expansion, and renovation of child care facilities. An additional $20 million has been requested for the year 2027 to further bolster this initiative.

The program has faced criticism from some who view it as a partisan effort. In response, Governor Lujan Grisham defended the initiative, stating, “I say it’s a Democrat that’s got twice the national average in economic output. This is about investing in mothers and fathers, being able to go back to the workforce.”

For families like Mierley and Herzog, this initiative represents a significant shift in their financial landscape. “It gives us some relief,” Mierley remarked. Herzog added, “It’s the first time that we can really start thinking about, ‘How do I prepare for Atticus’ future?'”

As New Mexico prepares to implement this pioneering program, it sets a potential precedent for other states looking to address child care affordability. With approximately 67% of women with children under five currently participating in the labor force, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, the initiative aims to support working families and encourage greater workforce participation.