Integrated Support for New Mexico’s Disadvantaged Children
Receive Article Updates (RSS)November 20, 2008
What/Where: New Mexico Children’s Cabinet
When: Created in 2003
Who: Created by Governor Bill Richardson and Chaired by Lt Governor Diane Denish
Why: Established to oversee and coordinate cross-departmental efforts, assess and maximize resource allocation, remove administrative barriers to obtaining departmental services and track child and youth indicators.
History
In 2003, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson issued an executive order establishing the New Mexico Children’s Cabinet. The purpose of the cabinet was to create a venue for collaboration across departments in order to maximize resource allocation and to track the well-being of children and youth in New Mexico. During his campaign in 2002, Richardson had committed to prioritizing an agenda which promoted the well-being of children in New Mexico; the creation of the Cabinet was viewed by advocates as a first step towards fulfilling that commitment.
Following the executive order, Lt. Governor Diane Denish and the Cabinet members held a retreat and established five outcome areas on which to focus their work:
- Physical and mental health;
- Safety and support in families and communities;
- Readiness for, and success in school;
- Transitions to employment and adulthood; and
- Active participation of youth in their communities.
The NM Children’s Cabinet is chaired by the Lt. Governor and comprised of 15 Cabinet secretaries, as well as representatives from three agencies and the judiciary.
In order to ensure that the Children’s Cabinet be a continued presence in New Mexico in the future, Denish moved to institutionalize the Cabinet through statute. In August 2004, the Cabinet held a Legislative Institute to provide legislators with information on child and youth issues. Following the institute several legislators expressed interest in continuing to work with the Cabinet. Denish announced her intentions to make the Cabinet permanent at a conference in October 2004. Backed by a favorable analysis by the New Mexico Public Education Department, the Children’s Cabinet Act (SB 435) was passed by the New Mexico Legislature in 2005.
The legislation provided for the continuance of the Children’s Cabinet after the Richardson administration ends in 2008. It also cemented the duties and responsibilities of the Cabinet, requiring six meetings per year, as well as an annual report and budget.
Accomplishments
Since its founding, the New Mexico Children’s Cabinet has been tracking the state’s progress on the identified outcome areas. Each year, the Cabinet compiles a report card for how New Mexico is doing in each outcome area. Additionally, the Cabinet completes a review of the state budget and tracks how state money is spent in each area.
Since the Cabinet’s founding in 2003, much of the “on the ground” work in New Mexico has mirrored the integrated approach set forth by the Cabinet. Several initiatives have spun out from the Cabinet’s work including the Youth Alliance, the New Mexico Integrated Services in Schools Initiative (NMISSI), and the passage of the New Mexico Pre-K Act.
The New Mexico Youth Alliance was created in 2003, shortly after the formation of the Cabinet. The Alliance is comprised of 112 youth from across the state and serves in an advisory role to the Cabinet. Representatives range from ages 14-22. In addition to local organization and mobilization efforts, the Youth Advisors meet with the Cabinet four times per year to present their platform and recommendations.
The New Mexico Integrated Services in Schools Initiative (NMISSI) was created through a partnership between the New Mexico Community Foundation, the New Mexico Children’s Cabinet and Atlantic Philanthropies in 2007. NMISSI targets middle school students and works to provide educational, health and family services to the entire student body through the schools. A demonstration model for the initiative was launched in the 2007-2008 school year at five middle schools across three districts. Students at these schools received extended-day learning ranging from tutoring to academic enrichment to arts and physical activities. Additionally students at the five schools have access to comprehensive school-based health care including preventative medical care and dental services. The other main service offered through the program is school-based support for students’ families in areas such as access to public benefits and financial literacy. This initiative is funded by a $20 million grant from Atlantic Philanthropies through 2011.
The Cabinet’s interagency cooperation has also lead to successes in working with the New Mexico Legislature. Legislative accomplishments include the New Mexico Pre-K Act as well as legislation creating school based health centers and home visiting programs.
Successful Strategies
At a 2005 Children’s Cabinet Roundtable, hosted by The Forum for Youth Investment, Lt. Governor Denish outlined several examples of the New Mexico Children’s Cabinet’s success. First, she noted that the Children’s Cabinet director position is funded jointly by each state department. Denish explained that this ensures that “all departments hav[e] a stake in the position’s success” and the position is more neutral than if it were funded by one department. Second, Denish praised the “solid buy-in” of the agency directors on the Cabinet. Finally, Denish acknowledged the importance of broad stakeholder engagement. The New Mexico Children’s Cabinet has had wide support among philanthropic and non-profit organizations, as well as the business community, which has contributed to its success.
In addition, the Children’s Cabinet has worked hard to align policies and programs for children to better meet its outcome goals. The publication of the annual report cards and budget reports has helped to demonstrate the Cabinet’s value added to the public, and town hall meetings have helped to build demand and invest communities across the state. Finally, the active leadership of Lt. Governor Denish has rallied public support for the cause. Denish is active in the Cabinet and its efforts throughout the state and also writes editorials for local papers to reach out to more constituents on children’s issues.
Children’s Cabinets in Other States
In addition to New Mexico, 23 states have also established Children’s Cabinets or Councils. (Download the chart.)