NEW MEXICO VOICES FOR CHILDREN

EDUCATION AND EARLY LEARNING/CARE - NMVC BELIEVES THAT INVESTING IN THE EARLY YEARS AND IN THE EDUCATION CONTINUUM IS THE BEST WAY TO ENSURE THAT NEW MEXICANS HAVE THE BEST OPPORTUNITIES TO SUCCEED IN SCHOOL AND THROUGHOUT LIFE. PROGRAM ACTIVITIES INCLUDE: PROMOTING ACCESS TO QUALITY HOME VISITS FOR INFANTS AND TODDLERS; SUPPORTING FUNDING SOURCES THAT SUSTAIN EDUCATION PROGRAMS; SUPPORTING METHODS FOR CLOSING RACIAL/ETHNIC ACHEIVEMENT GAPS IN ALL STAGES OF EDUCATION; AND SUPPORTING EFFORTS TO IMPROVE EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES FOR HOMELESS YOUTH. RACIAL/ETHNIC EQUITY AND CIVIC PARTICIPATION NMVC BELIEVES THAT OUR COLLECTIVE AND INDIVIDUAL NEEDS AND VOICES SHOULD BE REPRESENTED IN PUBLIC POLICY AND THAT THE RECOGNITION OF HUMAN AND CIVIL RIGHTS OF ALL PERSONS AND FAMILIES SHOULD NOT BE LIMITED BY RACE, ETHNICITY, RELIGION, ABILITY, GENDER, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY, OR COUNTRY OF ORIGIN. THIS INCLUDES SUPPORTING JUST IMMIGRATION REFORM, SUPPORTING POLICIES THAT ENSURE ACCESS TO PUBLIC PROGRAMS FOR ALL NEW MEXICO RESIDENTS REGARDLESS OF LANGUAGE OR IMMIGRATION STATUS, OPPOSING VOTER SUPPRESSION TACTICS, ENCOURAGING CIVIC PARTICIPATION AND OPEN AND TRANSPARENT GOVERNMENTAL PROCESSES, ENSURING ALL NEW MEXICO RESIDENTS HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN THE POLICYMAKING PROCESS, SUPPORTING POLICIES THAT ADDRESS SYSTEMIC INEQUITIES, AND SUPPORTING POLICIES THAT IMPROVE RACIAL AND GENDER EQUITY IN THE STATE.

ECONOMIC SECURITY & PROSPERITY - NMVC BELIEVES THAT LONG-TERM ECONOMIC PROSPERITY INVOLVES PROMOTING ECONOMIC AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL NEW MEXICANS AND SUPPORTING ACCESS TO ADEQUATE WAGES, BENEFITS, PAID LEAVE, AND WORK SUPPORTS. THIS INCLUDES EXTENDING INCREASE ACCESS TO, AND FULLY FUNDING WAGE AND WORK SUPPORT PROGRAMS SUCH AS UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE, ADULT EDUCATION, TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES, FOOD AND SECURITY PROGRAMS, AND ECONOMIC RELIEF AND CASH ASSISTANCE; PROMOTING CONSUMER PROTECTION INITIATIVES, ESPECIALLY THOSE RELATED TO FINANCIAL SERVICES; INCREASE FUNDING FOR PROGRAMS SERVING HOMELESS AND LOW-INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES; AND SUPPORT EVIDENCE BASED ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIES THAT ARE COMMITTED TO JOB CREATION, EDUCATIONAL IMPROVEMENT, AND INFRASTRUCTURE INVESTMENTS.