EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICES ARE NOT JUST FOR KIDS. THEY HELP PARENTS WITH JOB TRAINING AND OTHER TOOLS THAT ALLOW THEM TO BETTER SUPPORT THE FAMILY. SHARON KAYNE WITH NEW MEXICO VOICES FOR CHILDREN SAYS THE STATE HAS A VARIETY OF SERVICES, BUT THEY'RE NOT USER-FRIENDLY.
KAYNE SAYS THE SERVICES OFFERED IN NEW MEXICO HAVE DIFFERENT ELIGIBILITIES AND REQUIRE GOING TO DIFFERENT AGENCIES TO APPLY FOR THEM. BUT AN ANNIE E. CASEY FOUNDATION REPORT STRONGLY RECOMMENDS CONNECTING FAMILIES WITH THOSE SERVICES.
THE FOUNDATION CONCLUDES THAT OF NEARLY 155-THOUSAND FAMILIES IN NEW MEXICO … THE PARENTS IN 11 PERCENT OF THEM DON'T HAVE A HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA … AND 12 PERCENT ARE HEADED BY PARENTS YOUNGER THAN 25 YEARS OLD.
