For Immediate Release: Melody Wells, Public Information Officer
10.10.2019
New Regulation Ensures More Families Can Receive Financial Support
Santa Fe – On October 1, 2019, new regulations took effect that allow families with incomes up to 200% of the federal poverty level to begin receiving financial assistance for child care services and up to 250% of the federal poverty level to exit the child care financial assistance program .
This means that families with qualifying incomes can receive support to pay for their childcare at any of the CYFD licensed childcare centers, or licensed or registered home providers.
“We’re proud to offer childcare assistance for more families in our great state of New Mexico, because when families can have quality, affordable childcare, they can work and pursue education that can help them get out of poverty and fully participate in their communities,” said Alejandra RebolledoRea, Director of CYFD’s Early Childhood Services Division.
Childcare assistance is secured for families that enter the program at up to 200% of the federal poverty level even if their income increases, up to 250% of the federal poverty level. “We wanted to eliminate the “cliff effect” that often occurs when families start earning more money,” said RebolledoRea. “This way, families can build up their income and continue to receive financial support for childcare within the same year, if they are already receiving assistance.”
CYFD will also now pay the required childcare registration fees for families that qualify for assistance, helping support providers for those up-front costs.
To enquire about child care eligibility or to find a high quality child care program, please call 1-800-691-9067 or visit pulltogether.cyfd.nm.gov for more information on providers in your area and to take an online eligibility quiz.
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