Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 1, 2024
CONTACT
Micah McCoy
Communications Director
Email: micah.mccoy@ececd.gov.nm
Mobile: (505) 629–9575
1120 Paseo De Peralta
Santa Fe, NM 87501
Parents and caregivers of children are encouraged to provide feedback on state programs
SANTA FE – The New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) seeks parents and caregivers of children aged 0-5 to participate in the annual New Mexico Early Childhood Family Engagement and Satisfaction Survey at NextStepsNM.org.
ECECD aims to gain valuable insights from the survey findings regarding service effectiveness, accessibility, and community needs. The state will use the survey results to improve early childhood programs and better support families in New Mexico.
“ECECD continuously seeks ways our agency can better serve New Mexico families and young children,” said ECECD Cabinet Secretary Elizabeth Groginsky. “One of our top priorities over the next year is improving and investing in quality supports for the prenatal-to-five system in New Mexico. Hearing directly from those most impacted by these programs and services is critical to taking our outreach, communication, and services to the next level.”
Findings from the 2022 and 2023 surveys show:
- Awareness of child care programs has increased by 13.9%
- The demand for child care programs continues to exceed current availability.
- Child care is the most used program across New Mexico.
- Family well-being increases when child care programs are used.
The survey is confidential, takes 10-15 minutes to complete, and is available in English and Spanish. Community-based organizations will aid the state in diversifying participation outreach and provide one-on-one assistance with the survey.
For the survey and more information, visit https://nextstepsnm.org/
Project ECHO, a program of the University of New Mexico Health Sciences Center, administers the survey in partnership with the state. Through professional education and learning, Project ECHO supports local community providers, so they have the knowledge and resources to improve the well-being of families in New Mexico and beyond.
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Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham launched the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) in 2020, making New Mexico among the first states to consolidate all early childhood programs and services under a single cabinet-level agency. Under this administration, ECECD has led the nation by expanding access to free New Mexico PreK, overseeing the largest investment in early childhood infrastructure in state history, and implementing cost-free child care for a majority of New Mexico families. Learn more about how ECECD supports children, families, and the early childhood professionals that serve our communities at nmececd.org. On Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram as @NewMexicoECECD.