The NMECDP is a public-private partnership that is on a mission to create the public awareness and political will for early childhood education programs in New Mexico. Funded by the Kellogg Foundation and with the endorsement and leadership of Lt. Governor Diane Denish, the United Way of Santa Fe County has been tasked with leading the NMECDP multi-year effort.
The work of the NMECDP includes:
- Poverty. Our state cannot move forward in addressing our most critical economic challenges until the effects of poverty on our families, communities, and state are minimized.
- Research. Investment in early childhood development has been proven to be the best strategy to minimize the effects of poverty. The last three decades of research has demonstrated that early home visiting programs and high quality early education programs result in immediate gains for infants and children AND also result in long-term educational, financial and social benefits in adulthood. Further, careful analysis by leading economists has established that investment in early childhood programs, delivers the highest rate of return for public dollars of any long-term investment strategy.
- Intervention. NMECDP accepts the research which states that the "earlier the intervention, the greater the return, and the more intensive the intervention, the more effective it is".
What you can expect from the NMECDP:
- Civic Engagement. Across the State, the NMECDP will be creating pathways for communities to actively engage in the early childhood conversation. Public awareness is key but public understanding and willingness to work with policy makers and the business community in effecting change in this area will be the only way for the NMECDP work to be both meaningful and sustainable statewide.
- Public Financing Strategies. The NMECDP will further its work in exploring various financing strategies for early childhood investment.
- Legislative Strategies. The NMECDP will advocate for effective public policies in the area of early childhood education, specifically for Pre-Kindergarten and Home Visitation programs.