SANTA FE — The state of New Mexico has been awarded a $5.4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to assist in efforts to build a high-quality early learning system for families and young children. The Children, Youth and Families Department is designated as the lead agency for the grant — formally called the Preschool Development Grant, Birth to Five. CYFD applied collaboratively with the Department of Health and Public Education Department. The one-year award includes the option of applying for additional funding for additional years.

The grant includes funding for the following:

—A statewide birth-to-five needs assessment and data-gathering process through public forums with parents and other stakeholders in order to qualitatively determine community needs.

—Development of statewide birth-to-five strategic plan, a three-year road map toward a higher-quality early learning environment. 

—A statewide early learning media campaign to maximize parents’ understanding of resources and learning services available in their communities.

—Workforce training activities and professional development for childcare providers, early interventionists and others. 

—An online family engagement tool that will also allow early childhood programs to self-evaluate.

“This award is a great jumpstart for our effort in moving our early childhood system forward,” said Secretary-designate Brian Blalock of the Children, Youth and Families Department. “Education is a cornerstone, and I’m excited about this opportunity to put some funding behind analysis and planning.”

“Quality early learning services for children birth to five play an essential role in making sure that kids enter kindergarten with the best possible foundation,” Gov. Lujan Grisham said. “As I’ve said many times, early learning is a priority.” 

The early learning system in New Mexico includes both home-based and classroom-based services that promote the healthy development of young children prenatal to age 5 and that provide critical child care for working parents and parents who are pursuing their own education. Early learning services are provided through a mixed delivery system that includes both public schools and local community agencies. 

Content on the Beat

WARNING: All articles and photos with a byline or photo credit are copyrighted to the author or photographer. You may not use any information found within the articles without asking permission AND giving attribution to the source. Photos can be requested and may incur a nominal fee for use personally or commercially.

Disclaimer: If you find errors in articles not written by the Beat team but sent to us from other content providers, please contact the writer, not the Beat. For example, obituaries are always provided by the funeral home or a family member. We can fix errors, but please give details on where the error is so we can find it. News releases from government and non-profit entities are posted generally without change, except for legal notices, which incur a small charge.

NOTE: If an article does not have a byline, it was written by someone not affiliated with the Beat and then sent to the Beat for posting.

Images: We have received complaints about large images blocking parts of other articles. If you encounter this problem, click on the title of the article you want to read and it will take you to that article's page, which shows only that article without any intruders. 

New Columnists: The Beat continues to bring you new columnists. And check out the old faithfuls who continue to provide content.

Newsletter: If you opt in to the Join GCB Three Times Weekly Updates option above this to the right, you will be subscribed to email notifications with links to recently posted articles.

Submitting to the Beat

Those new to providing news releases to the Beat are asked to please check out submission guidelines at https://www.grantcountybeat.com/about/submissions. They are for your information to make life easier on the readers, as well as for the editor.

Advertising: Don't forget to tell advertisers that you saw their ads on the Beat.

Classifieds: We have changed Classifieds to a simpler option. Check periodically to see if any new ones have popped up. Send your information to editor@grantcountybeat.com and we will post it as soon as we can. Instructions and prices are on the page.

Editor's Notes

It has come to this editor's attention that people are sending information to the Grant County Beat Facebook page. Please be aware that the editor does not regularly monitor the page. If you have items you want to send to the editor, please send them to editor@grantcountybeat.com. Thanks!

Here for YOU: Consider the Beat your DAILY newspaper for up-to-date information about Grant County. It's at your fingertips! One Click to Local News. Thanks for your support for and your readership of Grant County's online news source—www.grantcountybeat.com

Feel free to notify editor@grantcountybeat.com if you notice any technical problems on the site. Your convenience is my desire for the Beat.  The Beat totally appreciates its readers and subscribers!  

Compliance: Because you are an esteemed member of The Grant County Beat readership, be assured that we at the Beat continue to do everything we can to be in full compliance with GDPR and pertinent US law, so that the information you have chosen to give to us cannot be compromised.