New Mexico will become the first state in the United States to provide free universal child care, starting November 1. Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham announced this initiative, which aims to make child care accessible to all families in the state, regardless of their income.

A news release issued on Monday stated that the program will eliminate income eligibility requirements from the state’s child care assistance program. It will also continue to waive family copayments. This initiative fulfills a commitment made by the governor and the New Mexico Legislature when they established the Early Childhood Education and Care Department in 2019.

Previously, New Mexico had expanded free child care access to families earning below 400% of the federal poverty level. With this new initiative, all families in the state will be eligible for free child care. The governor noted that this change could save families an average of $12,000 per child each year.

"Child care is essential to family stability, workforce participation, and New Mexico’s future prosperity," Lujan Grisham said in a statement. "By investing in universal child care, we are giving families financial relief, supporting our economy, and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to grow and thrive."

Michelle Kang, president and CEO of the National Association of the Education of Young Children, praised New Mexico's efforts. "Achieving universal child care will make a huge difference for the state’s children, families, businesses, and educators—and for all of us, by showing that it can be done," Kang stated.

In addition to the universal child care initiative, New Mexico is investing millions of dollars to build, expand, and renovate child care facilities. The state anticipates that an additional 5,000 early childhood professionals will be required to fully implement the universal system.

For more details on how families and providers can access the benefits of universal child care, residents can visit the ECECD Universal Child Care Resources Page.