New Mexico Becomes First State to Offer Free Universal Child Care as Local Nonprofit Secures $69,000 Grant

By Thursday, September 18, 2025

New Mexico launches statewide free child care program; Pomeroy nonprofit awarded grant to expand local services.

New Mexico’s universal child care program kicked off today, providing free early childhood care and preschool to every family in the state, while Pomeroy Community Connection in Ohio secured a $69,000 state grant to bolster childcare services.

The universal day-care initiative aims to improve child well-being and educational outcomes in New Mexico, which ranks lowest nationally on key child welfare metrics. Its rollout marks the first time any U.S. state has offered cost-free child care and early education regardless of income, reflecting Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham’s commitment to closing opportunity gaps and supporting working families.

In Pomeroy, Ohio, the newly formed Pomeroy Community Connection (PCC) received a $69,000 grant from the state to enhance staffing, purchase learning materials, and upgrade facilities at its community childcare center. The funding is expected to increase enrollment capacity and reduce waiting lists in the small Meigs County town.

Universal Coverage Across New Mexico

  • All families in New Mexico can now access child care from infancy through preschool at no cost.
  • Services include center-based care, in-home programs, and Head Start collaboration.
  • Early studies predict long-term economic benefits by boosting parents’ workforce participation and children’s school readiness.

Local Impact in Rural Ohio

  • The Pomeroy Community Connection nonprofit will use its $69,000 grant to hire two additional early-childhood educators and expand operating hours.
  • Improved capacity addresses chronic shortages in rural childcare availability, aiding parents’ return-to-work efforts.

Broader Implications

Experts say New Mexico’s bold move could serve as a model for other states grappling with childcare affordability and access, potentially reshaping national policy discussions. Rural initiatives like PCC’s grant demonstrate that targeted funding can alleviate local childcare deserts and strengthen community resilience.

Short-term benefits include immediate cost relief for families and job creation in the early-childhood sector, while long-term gains are expected in educational achievement and economic productivity.