CCA has partnered with KTAL Radio to bring you data about the community, for the community! These short radio segments highlight some of the most informative data that we have gathered about Doña Ana County and beyond.
Below you can find audio recordings, transcripts, and more information about previously aired Data Deets.
Listen to Data Deets # 12 – Mental and Behavioral Health Services:
Data Deets # 12 – Mental and Behavioral Health Services
Transcript:
Did you know that as of January 2022, New Mexico removed all copays for behavioral health services? This is a huge step forward because according to the 100% Community Survey, 40% of adults in Doña Ana County who need mental health services said that they could not afford them. Adults are not the only New Mexicans struggling with their mental health; data shows that many children need services too. According to the 2019 Youth Risk and Resiliency Survey, 2 out of every 5 high school students in our county reported feeling sad or hopeless almost every day for two or more weeks in a row. The 100% Community Survey also shows that half of parents seeking school-based mental health services for their children had difficulty getting them. The top obstacles were a lack of mental health professionals in the school or a complete lack of mental health services altogether. While removing copays will greatly help New Mexicans who struggle with paying for care, we also need to increase the availability of services in schools. Here in Doña Ana County, community groups such as the Resilience Leaders and the LC3 Collaborative are taking this on. They represent a broad range of agencies and providers who are developing a comprehensive approach to increase access to mental and behavioral health services. To learn more about their work, visit the Resilience Leaders' and the LC3 Collaborative’s websites or Facebook pages.
Listen to Data Deets # 11 – High School Graduation Rates:
Data Deets # 11 – High School Graduation Rates
Transcript:
High school graduation rates in New Mexico continue to break record highs. In 2020, high school graduation rates in New Mexico rose to 77%, the highest rate the state has ever seen. Gadsden, Hatch, and Las Cruces schools exceeded the statewide graduation rate, with Hatch at 80%, Gadsden at 82%, and Las Cruces at an 87% graduation rate. While this is a major accomplishment, do we know what factors led to this great improvement? Standardized test scores were not any better, and the percentage of high school graduates who needed remedial classes in their first year of college actually increased. So, what could explain the significant increase in graduation rates? Some point to the credit recovery programs. Credit recovery classes allow students who have failed a course to retake it using alternative methods. Others attribute the rise to Dual Credit classes. Dual Credit allows high school students to earn credit towards graduation and towards a college degree or certificate at the same time. The SUCCESS Partnership, a local community coalition, is convening education stakeholders to assess and evaluate the most effective ways to promote student success. To learn more about their work, visit the SUCCESS Partnership website at successdac.org.
Did you know that only 30% of third-grade students in New Mexico are proficient in reading? Luckily, there are programs in New Mexico working to narrow these education disparities. The Public Education Department started the K-5 Plus program, allowing kindergarten students through fifth grade to begin school 25 days early. The K-5 Plus program helps marginalized students who may be at risk of having lower proficiency in reading and math. Students of color, English Language Learners, low-income, and students with disabilities show the greatest need for extra instructional support and opportunities. Studies show that participating in extra days of learning can help students improve their performance in core subjects like reading and math. Extra learning time can also help reduce opportunity gaps in education. To learn more about the K-5 Plus program and what might be available in your area, visit the New Mexico Public Education Department website.
Did you know that Hispanic students in Doña Ana County may be nearly 2 times as likely as White students to lack access to the internet or computers? This gap in technology access has serious consequences. Data shows clear ties between students’ racial, ethnic, or financial backgrounds and their chances of achieving academic success or pursuing higher education. The Urban Institute found that eighth-grade students without access to computers or the internet were more than two years behind their classmates academically. Fortunately, a local community organization, the SUCCESS Partnership, is working to improve educational results by reducing these inequities. For example, they created a local workgroup that successfully advocated for greater internet and broadband technology for students and families throughout Doña Ana. Now, the SUCCESS Partnership is launching a new Kindergarten through Career Coalition. By bringing together organizations, agencies, and individuals, the coalition will take on the urgent issue of improving educational outcomes of students tomorrow by identifying barriers and building on our assets today. If you would like to join the Kindergarten through Career Coalition visit the SUCCESS Partnership website at successdac.org.
Listen to Data Deets # 8 – Rent and Utility Assistance:
Data Deets # 8 – Rent and Utility Assistance
Transcript:
Did you know that as of September 2021, more than 3,000 households in Doña Ana County are behind on their rent? Many families in the United States are at risk of losing their homes because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Black and Hispanic households often face the greatest risk because of the racial and ethnic disparities in employment and housing affordability. Housing insecurity was a problem faced by many local families before the pandemic, but today even more individuals risk losing their homes because of the current economic uncertainty. Luckily, Doña Ana is in a position to help. Recently, the county received 9.3 million federal dollars from the U.S. Department of Treasury for emergency rental assistance. The money can be used to pay rent and utility bills for those impacted by Covid-19. If you need housing assistance, fill out a rent or utility assistance application to see if you qualify. You can find it on the Doña Ana County website at donaanacounty.org.
Listen to Data Deets # 7 – Home Visiting Supports Parents:
Data Deets # 7 – Home Visiting Supports Parents
Transcript:
Did you know that home visits from trained professionals can support parenting skills while reducing rates of child abuse and neglect? Home visiting matches parents with advisers who provide information about children’s health, education, and developmental milestones. Home visitors also support families by promoting confident parenting and positive relationships with their kids. Since the pandemic, some home visitors have started offering their services online while others have begun meeting families in person. The home visiting program is available for free throughout Doña Ana County to improve the lives of children and parents. To learn more about home visiting and to find a provider for your family, visit cyfd.org and newmexicokids.org
Listen to Data Deets # 6 – High Quality Preschool:
Data Deets # 6 – High Quality Preschool
Transcript:
According to the Perry Preschool Study, high-quality preschool education is connected to higher graduation rates, school achievement, and better attitudes towards school. Early childhood education is especially important for children living in poverty, because it assists their intellectual and social development, such as improved reading skills and larger vocabularies. It also helps kids who may be starting kindergarten at different educational levels. Early childhood education has positive effects that last a lifetime, such as higher employment, higher earnings, less crime, and less drug use. In 2020, approximately 9,000 children under 5 in Doña Ana County were left out of free or subsidized early childhood education. Many families must settle for low-quality services, or none at all. While there are organizations in our county working to improve access to these programs, we need additional funding at the national or state level so that all children can benefit from these services. To find early childhood education services near you, visit the New Mexico Early Childhood Education & Care Department website at www.nmececd.org.
Did you know that roughly only 1 out of every 3 children under 5 in Doña Ana County is funded for early childhood education? That means 2 out of 3 kids are left out. Although the high numbers of young children not funded for free education programs may come as a shock to listeners, funding for early childhood education in Doña Ana County has actually improved. In fact, 809 new seats for children in high-quality early childhood programs have been added in Doña Ana County since 2017, and we may see even more next year. In November 2022, voters in New Mexico will decide on a constitutional amendment to expand funding for early childhood education programs across the state. According to the Harvard Graduate School of Education, children who attend high-quality early childhood education programs are less likely to be placed in special education, less likely to be retained in a grade, and more likely to graduate from high school. If the amendment passes, it could help the children in our state by improving access to early childhood education programs for years to come. To find opportunities for early childhood education for your kids right now, visit newmexicokids.org/coronavirus.
Listen to Data Deets # 4 – More About Child Care Subsidies:
Data Deets # 4 - More About Child Care Subsidies
Transcript:
Did you know that the monthly cost of high-quality childcare in Doña Ana County is more than the monthly cost of tuition at NMSU? We all know that childcare is expensive, and for many families the annual cost of childcare alone takes up much of the money that they earn. So, it comes as no surprise that according to the 100% Community Survey, more than three-fourths of parents in Doña Ana County reported that the main obstacle to finding childcare was the expense. Fortunately, on August 1st (2021) New Mexico greatly expanded eligibility for the childcare assistance program. Now, a family that earns up to 350% of the federal poverty level (roughly $7,700 a month for a family of four) may be able receive a subsidy to pay for childcare. In addition, the same family can continue receiving help until their income reaches 400% of the federal poverty level. This means that parents who receive even a slight pay increase can still receive this childcare subsidy. When families are unable to access childcare, parents struggle, and children miss out. Using a childcare subsidy benefits the whole community. To see if you qualify for childcare assistance, visit the New Mexico Early Childhood Education & Care Department website at www.nmececd.org. *Note: “More than three-fourths” = 76%
Listen to Data Deets # 3 – Home Visiting Benefits:
Data Deets # 3 – Home Visiting Benefits
Transcript:
Did you know that a baby is born with as many neurons as there are stars in the Milky Way? One hundred billion neurons to be exact. This is twice as many neurons as adults have. These neurons are responsible for regulating feelings, learning to speak, forming bonds with caregivers, and more. This is why programs that teach parents techniques to foster their child's development and create stronger bonds are so important. In Doña Ana, we have many programs that do just this, such as home visiting. It is a free program that matches parents with trained professionals who provide information and support, like parenting and health care education, child abuse prevention, and supporting parents to be their child’s first teacher. Home visiting plays a critical role in a child's development that can impact the rest of their life and is very beneficial to pregnant mothers, new parents, and those needing extra help. Unfortunately, data reveals that many parents are not using this free service. The 100% Community Survey about access to services shows that 65%, nearly two-thirds, of parents in Doña Ana County reported not needing home visiting services. But, among families needing services, approximately 1 out of every 7 parents had difficulty getting them. One of the top obstacles included a lack of knowledge about the program. Fortunately, organizations in our county like the SUCCESS Partnership and the Resilience Leaders are working hard to raise awareness about these services and their benefits. To look for home visiting programs visit the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department website at www.nmececd.org.
Listen to Data Deets # 2 – Child Care is Available:
Data Deets # 2 – Child Care is Available
Transcript:
Did you know that many kids in our county are missing out on childcare services because of cost? Approximately 1 out of every 5 children under 6 living in low-income homes in Doña Ana County received subsidized childcare in 2020. Childcare subsidies are funded through federal block grants and state appropriations to help low-income families pay for childcare for children 6 weeks to 13 years old. Parents using a childcare subsidy can choose from a wide variety of childcare providers in Doña Ana. Parents can enroll their children in a childcare center, home based childcare, or even before- and after-school programs. Since the cost of childcare is the main obstacle to accessing it in our county, subsidies are very important for low-income and single parents. Luckily, New Mexico has changed some rules to make it easier to qualify for free or reduced priced childcare. For example, parents looking for work, graduate students, and families with income up to 350% of the federal poverty level can now apply. They are also no longer forcing parents to pursue child support from an absent parent to qualify for assistance. To see if you qualify for a childcare subsidy, contact a Child Care Services Bureau field office in Doña Ana or visit the New Mexico Early Childhood Education and Care Department website at www.nmececd.org.
Listen to Data Deets # 1 – Child Care Helps Parents:
Data Deets # 1 – Child Care Helps Parents
Transcript:
We know that kids benefit tremendously by receiving high-quality childcare. For example, children can gain increased cognitive abilities, better vocabulary, and skills like self-esteem, communication with others, and managing behavior. But did you know high-quality child care also helps parents? Studies show that when parents have good childcare, it improves their productivity at work, they miss fewer days, and they have more opportunities like job training. Results from the 100% Community Survey in Doña Ana, a survey about access to services, highlight the essential role childcare plays for parents who want to use job training programs. One out of every 3 parents who reported difficulty getting job training said they didn't have anyone to watch their child during training. In addition, as more parents struggle to pay for childcare, it is often mothers who must stay home to care for their children. This means fewer women have opportunities for job training or more education, and it also leads to fewer women in the workforce overall. Good childcare is available, and you can find a local childcare provider at newmexicokids.org.
