NM Voices for Children 2012 Children’s Charter · robert mcneill, J.d., treasurer at Law memBers gail goldstein, m.ed. Early Childhood Consultant fred Harris Director, University

NM Voices for Children 2012 Children’s Charter:

Our Vision for the Next Generation1. Allchildrenandtheirfamiliesareeconomicallysecure.

2. Allchildrenandtheirfamilieshaveahigh-qualitycradle-to-careersystem

ofcareandeducation.

3. Allchildrenandtheirfamilieshavequalityhealthcareandsupportive

healthprograms.

4. Allchildrenandtheirfamiliesarefreefromdiscriminationbasedonrace,

ethnicity,religion,disability,gender,sexualorientation,orcountryoforigin.

5. Allchildrenandtheirfamiliesliveinsafeandsupportivecommunities.

6. Allchildrenandtheirfamilies’interestsandneedsareadequatelyrepresented

inalllevelsofgovernmentthrougheffectivecivicparticipationandprotection

ofvoters’rights.

7. Allchildrenandtheirfamilies’needsareahighpriorityinlocal,state,

andfederalbudgetsandbenefitfromataxsystemthatisfair,transparent,

andthatgeneratessufficientrevenues.

12012 Kids Count Data Book

Acknowledgements

ProductionofNewMexicoVoicesforChildren’s

annualKIDSCOUNTdatabookwouldnotbe

possiblewithoutthegeneroussupportofthe

AnnieE.CaseyFoundationandotherdonors.

Othercontributorstothisyear’spublication

include:EricGriego,FirestikStudio,andMs.Print.

SeveralkeystaffmembersfromNewMexico

VoicesforChildrenprovidedessentialdata

analysis,input,feedbackandsupport,including:

GerryBradley,ResearchDirector,KwakuSraha,

FinanceManager;AmberWallin,SFAIPolicy

Fellow;JulietYazzie,Administrator;and

AliciaManzano,OutreachDirector.

kIds coUnt stAff

Veronica c. garcía, ed.d.ExecutiveDirector

christine HollisNewMexicoKIDSCOUNTDirector

gerry BradleyResearchDirector

sharon kayneCommunicationsDirector

This research analysis was funded by the Annie E. Casey Foundation. We thank them for their support but acknowledge that the findings and conclusions presented in this report are those of the author(s) alone, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Foundation.

new mexIco VoIces for cHIldren

BoArd of dIrectors

offIcers

Joseph maestas, chairEngineeringandManagementConsultant,U.S.BureauofReclamation

debra l. Baca, Vice-chairVice-President,YouthDevelopment,Inc.

Andrew Hsi, m.d., secretaryPediatrician,Children’sHospitalofNewMexico

robert mcneill, J.d., treasurerAttorneyatLaw

memBers

gail goldstein, m.ed.EarlyChildhoodConsultant

fred HarrisDirector,UniversityofNewMexicoFredHarrisCongressionalInternshipProgramandFormerU.S.Senator

tiffany s. leeAssistantProfessor,Native-AmericanStudies,UniversityofNewMexico

diana Valdez, Ph.d.Psychologist,BernalilloPublicSchools

frances Varela, rn. msn, mAlAsPresident,VarelaConsultingGroup

luis Vargas, Ph.d.Psychotherapist,UNMChildren’sPsychiatricHospital

laurie weahkeeExecutiveDirector,NativeAmericanVotersAlliance

Ourmissionistochampionpublicpoliciesthatimprovethestatusand

well-beingofNewMexico’schildren,families,andcommunitiesintheareas

ofhealth,education,andeconomicsecuritythroughcredibleresearch

andeffectiveadvocacy.

2 New Mexico Voices for Children

IntrodUctIon: A ProfIle of tHe well-BeIng of oUr stAte’s cHIldren ............. 4

tABles And grAPHs

Population and economic data

TableI:TotalandChildPopulationbyCounty(2010-2011)................................................................................................................................................................. 14

TableII:FamiliesbyHouseholderTypeandCounty(2009-2011)..................................................................................................................................................... 15

TableIII:PercentofChildreninSingle-ParentFamiliesbyCounty(2011)...................................................................................................................................... 16

TableIV:MedianHouseholdIncomebyCounty(2010-2011).............................................................................................................................................................. 16

TableV:TotalandChildPopulationLivinginPovertybyCounty(2010-2011)............................................................................................................................ 17

TableVI:PercentofFamilieswithChildrenLivinginPovertybyFamilyTypeandCounty(2009-2011).......................................................................... 18

TableVII:PercentofChildrenLivinginAreasofConcentratedPovertybyCounty(2006-2010)....................................................................................... 19

TableVIII:PercentofFamiliesinWhichNoParentHadFull-Time,Year-RoundEmploymentbyCounty(2011)..........................................................20

TableIX:PercentofHouseholdsReceivingSNAPbyCounty(2008-2011)..................................................................................................................................20

TableX:PercentofHouseholdsinWhichFamiliesFaceaHighHousingCostBurdenbyCounty(2009-2011)............................................................ 21

TableXI:PercentofHouseholdswithIncomefromInterest,DividendsorNetRentalReceiptsbyCounty(2009-2011).......................................... 21

education data

TableXII:PercentofChildrenAttendingPreschoolbyCounty(2009-2011)............................................................................................................................... 24

TableXIII:TotalEnrollmentandPercentofStudentsEligibleforFree/Reduced-PriceLunchbySchoolDistrict(2011-2012)................................ 25

MapI:PercentofStudentsEligibleforFree/Reduced-PriceLunchbySchoolDistrict(2011-2012).................................................................................. 28

MapII:ProficiencyRatesinReadingbySchoolDistrict(2011)......................................................................................................................................................... 28

TableXIV:ProficiencyRatesinReadingandMathbySchoolDistrict(2011-2012)................................................................................................................... 29

TableXV:HighSchoolGraduationandDropoutRatesbySchoolDistrict(2010-2011).......................................................................................................... 32

TableXVI:PercentofTeensbySchoolEnrollmentand/orWorkingStatusbyCounty(2009-2011)................................................................................. 35

TableXVII:PopulationbyEducationalAttainmentandCounty(2009-2011)............................................................................................................................. 36

TableXVIII:PercentofFamiliesWhereHeadofHouseholdLacksHighSchoolDiplomabyCounty(2007-2011)....................................................... 37

race/ethnicity data

TableXIX:TotalPopulationbyRace/EthnicityandCounty(2007-2011)..................................................................................................................................... 40

GraphI:YoungChildPopulationinNewMexicobyRace/Ethnicity(2007-2011)....................................................................................................................... 41

GraphII:TotalChildPopulationinNewMexicobyRace/Ethnicity(2007-2011)......................................................................................................................... 41

GraphIII:GraduationRatesinNewMexicobyRace/EthnicityandOtherCharacteristics(2010-2011)............................................................................ 42

GraphIV:TeenBirthRateTrendsinNewMexicobyRace/Ethnicity(2006-2011).................................................................................................................... 43

Table of Contents


Health data

TableXX:PercentofChildrenwithoutHealthInsurancebyCounty(2009-2011).....................................................................................................................46

TableXXI:ChildrenEnrolledinMedicaidbyCounty(2001-2012).................................................................................................................................................... 47

TableXXII:RateofBirthstoSingleMothersbyCounty(2011).........................................................................................................................................................48

TableXXIII:TeenBirthNumberandRatebyCounty(2010-2011)....................................................................................................................................................49

TableXXIV:PercentofLowBirthWeightBabiesbyCounty(2011)................................................................................................................................................50

TableXXV:InfantMortalityNumberandRatebyCounty(2011)...................................................................................................................................................... 51

TableXXVI:ChildDeathNumberandRatebyCounty(2011)............................................................................................................................................................ 51

TableXXVII:TeenDeathNumberandRatebyCounty(2011)........................................................................................................................................................... 52

TableXXVIII:SubstantiatedChildAbuseAllegationsbyTypeandCounty(2010-2011)......................................................................................................... 53

TableXXIX:PercentofHighSchoolStudentsWhoUseDrugsandAlcoholbyCounty(2001-2009).............................................................................. 54

metHodology ............................................................................................................................................................................................................................ 56

mAJor dAtA soUrces .................................................................................................................................................................................................. 58

otHer dAtA soUrces ...................................................................................................................................................................................................60

coUnty Index .............................................................................................................................................................................................................................60

end notes ........................................................................................................................................................................................................... InsideBackCover


EveryyeartheAnnieE.CaseyFoundationreleases

thenationalKIDSCOUNTdatabook.NewMexico

hasnotfaredwellwhenrankedagainsttheother

49states.Everyyearforthelasttwodecades,

NewMexicohasrankedinthebottomten—and

ofteninthebottomfive—ofstateswithregardto

childwell-being.In2012,thenationalKIDSCOUNT

programreviseditsrespectedindicatorsofchild

well-beinginordertoprovideamorecomplete

pictureofchildwell-being.Thiscomprehensive

indexisorganizedintofourdomainsanduses

indicatorsthatveryaccuratelypredictchildren’s

futuresuccess.Ingeneral,ourstate’sstatushas not

improvedwiththeuseoftheserevisedindicators.

The16indicatorsarelistedatright,withNewMexico’s

statisticsandrankingamongthe50states:

NewMexicoVoicesforChildrenispleasedtopresentthe2012 New Mexico

KIDS COUNT Data Book.Thisreportprovidesthemostup-to-date,reliable

datathatshowhowNewMexicochildrenandtheirfamiliesfareeconomically,

academically,socially,andwithregardtotheirhealth.Thisisthe20thyearinwhich

wehavepublishedtheannualKIDSCOUNTDataBook.Ourintentistoprovide

decision-makersatthestate,tribal,andlocallevelswiththeinformationtheyneed

topromoteandsupportchildren’sinterestsandfamilyeconomicsecurity.

New Mexico KIDS COUNT Data Book A Profile of the Well-Being of Our State’s Children


sUmmAry And meAnIng of

new mexIco’s dAtA

demographics:NewMexico’spopulationnow

standsatovertwomillion,andmorethanaquarter

(28percent)ofourpopulationisundertheageof

20.ThemostpopulouscountiesareBernalillo,Doña

Ana,SantaFe,Sandoval,andSanJuan.Thestate

continuestomaintainitsmajority-minoritystatus,

with46percentofthepopulationbeingHispanic,

41percentnon-Hispanicwhite,9percentNative

American,and6percentAfrican-American,Asian,

ormixed/otherrace.CountiesinwhichHispanics

makeupthelargestshareofthepopulationinclude

Mora,SanMiguel,Guadalupe,RioArriba,DoñaAna,

andLuna.McKinley,Cibola,andSanJuancounties

havemajorityNativeAmericanpopulations.Among

childrenandyouthages0to19,theracial/ethnic

breakdownalsoreflectsthemajority-minority

status:48percentareHispanic,23percentare

non-Hispanicwhite,10percentareNativeAmerican,

and19percentareAfrican-American,Asian,or

mixed/otherrace.

family and community:Thenumberofchildren

livinginsingle-parenthouseholdsinNewMexico

isatroublingindicator.Familystructureisswiftly

changing.Atthenationallevel,thepercentof

childrenlivingwithmarriedparentsdropped

steadilyfromthe1970stotheearly2000s,when

Source:KIDSCOUNTDataBook,2012:StateTrendsinChildWell-Being;TheAnnieE.CaseyFoundation

Indicator by Category New Mexico Rate New Mexico State Rank

Overall Rank 49

Economic Well-Being

ChildreninPoverty(2010) 30% 49

ChildrenWhoseParentsLackSecureEmployment(2010) 37% 43

ChildrenLivinginHouseholdswithaHighHousingCostBurden(2010) 33% 15

Teens(Ages16-19)NotinSchoolandNotWorking(2010) 12% 42

Education

ChildrenNotAttendingPreschool(2008-2010) 62% 44

FourthGradersNotProficientinReading(2011) 79% 50

EighthGradersNotProficientinMath(2011) 76% 45

HighSchoolStudentsNotGraduatingonTime(2008-2009) 35% 48

Health

Low-BirthWeightBabies(2009) 8.3% 25

ChildrenwithoutHealthInsurance(2010) 10% 39

ChildandTeenDeathsper100,000(2009) 40 44

TeensWhoAbuseAlcoholorDrugs(2008-2009) 10% 48

Family and Community

ChildreninSingle-ParentFamilies(2010) 42% 47

ChildreninFamiliesWhereHouseholdHeadLacks

aHighSchoolDiploma(2010) 20% 47

ChildrenLivinginHigh-PovertyAreas(2006-2010) 20% 49

Teen(Ages15-19)Birthsper1,000(2009) 64 49

new mexIco rAtes And rAnkIngs In tHe 2012 nAtIonAl kIds coUnt dAtA Book


itheldsteady,thendroppedagainby2010.1In

NewMexico,approximately42percentofchildren

nowlivewithsingleparentsand29percentof

familiesareheadedbysinglemothers.

Morethanhalfofthechildreninfourcounties—

Cibola(62percent),McKinley(56percent),

SanMiguel(54percent),andRioArriba(53

percent)—liveinfamiliesheadedbysinglemothers.

Inthreeofthesecounties—McKinley,Cibola,and

RioArriba—thebirthratesforsinglemothersarealso

higherthanthestaterate(7birthsper1000women).

Researchshowsthatsingle-parentfamiliestend

tohavelowerincomesandassets,andthatchildren

inthesefamiliesareatgreaterriskforbehavioral

andhealthproblems,aswellasforlowereducational

attainment.AsNewMexico’seconomyslowly

recoversfromtherecession,single-parentfamilies

willneedsupporttoweatherthislengthyperiod

ofeconomicstrain.

Theterm“place”referstowherepeoplelive,play,

work,gotoschool,andinteractwithothersand,as

such,placehasagreatimpactonchildren’shealth,

well-being,andfuture.Unfortunately,fullyonefifth

ofNewMexico’schildrenliveinareasofconcentrated

poverty.(Placesofconcentratedpovertyareareas

inwhich30percentofthepopulationlivesin

povertyandwherecommunityresourcesarescarce

oroflow-quality.)Onlyoneotherstatehasalower

rankingthanNewMexicoonthisimportantmeasure.

Itisalarmingthatinfourcounties—McKinley(67

percent),Luna(62percent),Curry(45percent),

andDoñaAna(44percent)—theratesofchildren

livinginhigh-povertyareasareevenhigherthan

thatofthestateasawhole.

“YouthemploymentisatitslowestlevelsinceWorldWarII,”saidthe2012Youth and WorkPolicyReport

byKIDSCOUNT,theAnnieE.CaseyFoundation.InNewMexico,

only25percentofthose16to19yearsold,andjust59percent

ofthose20to24areemployed.Whyisthisaproblem?Youth

whodon’tgainearlyworkexperience—whoareneitherinschool

norintheworkforce—facechronicunder-orunemploymentand

arefailingtobuildtheskillsneededforasolidcareerinthe21st

century.Therearefewerjobstoday,recoveryfromtherecession

isveryslow,andemployersrequirehigherlevelsofskillsand

experiencethancanbegainedjustfromhighschool.NOWis

thetimeforacomprehensive,multi-facetedandmulti-system

approachtoprovideouryoungpeoplewithmultiplepathways—

education,training,communityserviceandearlyemployment

opportunities,support,andnetworkingservices—tomeet

theirneeds,buildtheirtalents,andpreparethemfor

today’sworkforce.


Studiesfromaroundtheworldshowtheimportance

ofparents’(especiallymothers’),levelofeducational

attainmenttothefuturewell-beingoftheirchildren.

Ingeneral,thehighertheeducationalattainment

ofparents,thebetterachildwilldoinlife.Itisdis-

concertingtonote,therefore,thatNewMexicoranks

verylow,47thamongthestates,withaproportion

ofitschildren(20percent)livinginfamiliesinwhich

thehouseholdheadlacksahighschooldiploma.In

addition,36percentofthestate’sfamiliesthatlivein

povertyareheadedbyanon-highschoolgraduate.

Notingagaintheimportanceof“place”inchildren’s

development,fewchildreninNewMexicoaregrowing

upinplaceswheremanyadults—potentialrole

models—haveabachelor’sdegreeorhigher.

NewMexico’sadults,age25andabove,havefairly

lowlevelsofeducationalattainment;only11percent

haveagraduate-leveldegree,andonly15percent

haveabachelor’sdegree.Itisalsodisturbingthat

somanystudents—upto28percentinsome

counties—enrollincollegebutnevergraduate.

education:Educationisakeyingredientintoday’s

recipeforsocialandeconomicsuccessinthe21st

century.Regrettably,toomanyofNewMexico’s

children,fromtheearliestyears,areonthewrong

trajectoryintermsofrealizingacademicand

economicsuccess.Extensivescientific,educational,

andeconomicresearchhasshownthatitisinthe

earliestyearsoflife,frombirthtoage5,thatthe

mostimportantandextensivebraindevelopment

takesplace.Earlylearningexperiencesduringthis

timemoldtheneurologicalcircuitryandarchitecture

ofthematuringbrain.Theseexperiences,including

interactionswithparentsandotheradults,build

eitherasturdyorfragilefoundationforachild’s

cognitive,emotional,social,andbehavioralcapacity.

High-qualityearlychildhoodcareandeducation

(ECE)includeserviceslikepre-natalcare,home

visiting/parentmentoring,licensedchildcare

(includingchildcareassistanceforlow-income

parents),andhigh-qualitypreschoolprograms.

Theseservicesareessentialtothepositivelearning

andbraindevelopmentofourinfantsandtoddlers,

andpreschoolcanhelppreparethemtodobetter

ingradesK-12.Butonlyabout40percent—less

thanhalf—ofNewMexico’s3-and4-year-oldsare

enrolledinpreschoolprograms.Insomecounties,

notablyValencia,onlyaboutoneinfourchildren

attendpreschool.Besidesaccess,however,the

qualityofpreschool(andotherECEprograms)

isalsoveryimportantbutquiteoftenlacking.In

LunaCounty,forexample,whichhasoneofthe

bestpreschoolenrollmentrates(64percent),

schooladministratorsstillnotethattoomanyof

theirnewkindergartenstudentsarenotprepared

forschoolwhentheystart.2

Significantevidenceexistsshowingthatchildren’s

participationinhigh-quality,comprehensiveECE

programshelpsleadtoimprovedacademicprogress

andperformance.InNewMexico,wheremost

childrendonotattendpreschool,theconsequences

canbeseenasearlyas3rdgradeinreading

proficiencyscores.(Readingproficiencyby4th

gradeisconsidereda“make-or-breakbenchmark”

forwhetherachildwillsucceedinschoolandinlife.

Thisisbecausechildren“learnhowtoread”through

3rdgrade.In4thgradeandbeyond,theymust“read

tolearn,”i.e.usetheirreadingskillstolearnother

subjectslikemathandscience.3)Astudentwho

isnotproficientinreadingby4thgrademayfind

subsequenteducationalcontentextremelydifficult

toread.Thisleadstofrustrationasthesechildren

fallbehindotherstudentsinschoolperformance.

Suchstudentsoftenfacepotentialgraderetention,

andmaydevelopsocialandbehavioralproblems.

Childrenwhoarenotproficientreadersby4thgrade

aremorelikelytodropoutand/ornotgraduate

fromhighschool.4

ThenationalKIDSCOUNTProgram,usingthe

NationalAssessmentforEducationalProgress

(NAEP),astandardizedtestthatallowscomparability

ofreadingscoresacrossstates,ranksNewMexico


50th—deadlast—amongthestatesin4thgrade

readingproficiency.Onlyabout20percent—just

twooutofeverytenNewMexico4thgraders—can

readataproficientlevel.Ifweconsidertheresults

fromNewMexico’sown3rdgradereadingproficiency

test,theresultsarenotanymoreencouraging.

Whileinsixschooldistrictsasmanyas70percent

to80percentof3rdgradersscoreata“proficient

andabove”level,intoomanyothers—morethan

one-thirdofourpublicschooldistricts—only50

percentorlessofthe3rdgradersreadproficiently

orabove.Thisdoesnotbodewellformanystudents’

potentialtosucceedastheyprogressintohigher

gradelevels.Thisconcernseemsjustifiedwhen

weconsiderthelowmathproficiencyratesof

NewMexico’s8thgraders.Inonly11outofthestate’s

89publicschooldistrictsdo60percentormoreof

the8thgradersscoreata“proficientorabove”level.

Intwo-thirds(60)oftheschooldistrictslessthan

halfthestudentscandomathattherequiredlevel.

Giventhatskillinmathematicsisconsideredvital

for21stcenturytechnicaljobs,lowproficiency

inmathematicsisalarminginitsimplicationsfor

NewMexico’sfutureworkforcecapacity.

Theselowproficiencyscoreshaveaneffectonthe

state’shighschoolgraduationrate.A2012report

fromtheU.S.DepartmentofEducationranked

onlyonestatelowerthanNewMexicointerms

oftheon-timehighschoolgraduationrate.5The

state’sgraduationrate,63percent(only56percent

foreconomicallydisadvantagedstudents),means

thatmorethanone-third(37percent)ofouryouth

donotgraduatefromhighschoolwithinfouryears.

Therearebetterperformancerates,however.

Somepublicschooldistricts—mostoftheminsmall

communities—havegraduationratesof90percent

andabove.

economic well-Being: Manyoftheseeducational

indicatorsappeartocontributetothehighproportion

ofNewMexicoteens,ages16to19,whoarenotin

schoolandnotworking.Roughly12percentofthese

teens,oftenreferredtoas“disconnected”youth,

aremissingoutoneitherearlyworkexperiences

orhighereducationthatwillprovidethemwith

thepathwaystomorehighly-paidcareers,and/or

protectthemfromchronicunemployment.(See

box,page6.)InNewMexico,teensinthisagegroup

whodonothaveahighschooldiplomaaremore

likelytofallintothis“disconnected”youthcategory.

NewMexicofamilies,especiallythosewithchildren,

arestillstrugglingwiththeaftermathofthe

recessionandthesloweconomicrecovery.Always

consideredoneofthe“poor”statesinthenation,

NewMexico’smedianhouseholdincome,at$43,715,

ismorethan$7,000lessthanthenationalmedian.

Thenumberoffamiliesconsidered“middleclass”is

shrinkingasfamiliesstruggletostayabovepov-

erty,provideadequatenutritionfortheirchildren,

payexpensivemedicalcosts,andholdontohomes

andemployment.Currently,NewMexicoranks49th

amongthestatesinthepercentofchildrenlivingin

poverty—closetoone-thirdofourstate’schildren

livebelowthepovertylevel.Insomecounties,the

rateisevenhigherthanthat.InLunaCounty,more

thanhalfofthechildrenunderage18liveinpoverty,

andtwooutofeveryfivechildreninTaosCounty

arepoor.Oneindicatorofpovertyisthattwo-thirds

ofstudentsinNewMexicoschoolsareeligiblefor

freeandreduced-pricelunchandbreakfast.Insome

publicschooldistricts,90percentormoreofthe

studentsareeligibleforfreeorreduced-pricemeals.

Amarkerofhowmuchthelingeringrecession

impactsfamiliesisthefactthatmorethanone-third

(37percent)ofthestate’schildrenliveinfamiliesin

whichnoparenthasfull-time,year-roundemployment.

Countieswithparticularlyhighratesoffamilies

whereparentslacksecureemploymentinclude

GrantandSanMiguel(31percenteach),andCibola

andRioArriba(29percenteach).Anothersignthat

familieswithchildrenareunderfinancialstressis

theincreasedpercentageofhouseholdsreceiving

SNAPbenefits(formerlyknownas“foodstamps”).


80%DON’T

New Mexico’s Educational Outcomes are Unbalanced

20%OF OUR 4TH GRADERS

READ PROFICIENTLY

40% OF OUR 3- AND 4-YEAR OLDS

ATTEND PRESCHOOL 60% DON’T

24% OF OUR 8TH GRADERS ARE

PROFICIENT IN MATH 76% AREN’T

63% OF OUR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

GRADUATE ON TIME 37% DON’T


Thestate’srateofenrollmenthasgrownfrom

11percentto13percent(2008-2011),andinsome

counties,likeLuna,asmanyasoneinfivefamilies

receivesSNAP.

Anadditionalmeasureoffamilyeconomicsecurity

istheextenttowhichhouseholdshavefinancial

assetsandresources—suchassavings,interest

frominvestments,andrentalincome—tohelpthem

weatheracatastrophicfinancialevent.Theseevents

canincludethelossofajob,crushingmedical

debt,orevenarecession.Inthisstate,lessthan

oneinfivehouseholdshasthesetypesofassets

tofallbackon.Agreaterpercentoffamilieswith

investmentandrentalincomeliveinSantaFe,

Lincoln,andGrantcounties,whilelessthanonein

tenhouseholdsinCibola,McKinley,andSanMiguel

countieshastheseresources.

InNewMexico,alargenumberofhouseholdsalso

strugglewithhighhousingcosts;thatis,theypay

morethan30percentoftheirincomeforrentor

onamortgage.Approximately65percentofNew

Mexicohouseholdsareshoulderinghighhousing

costs,andone-thirdofthestate’schildrenlivein

thesehouseholds.Thismeansthatthesefamilies

havelessmoneytopayforfood,clothing,utilities,

andotheressentialsthatensurethehealthand

well-beingoftheiroffspring.

Health:Allofthefactorsdescribedabovehavean

impactonchildren’sphysicalandemotionalhealth

andwell-being.Onemajormeansofpromoting

children’shealth—onethatiskeenlyinfluencedby

policydecisions—ishealthinsurancecoveragefor

youngpeople,especiallythoselivinginpoorand

low-incomefamilies.Withinsurancecoverage,

childrenaremorelikelytogetthepreventivevisits,

immunizations,developmentalchecks,andcare

neededtokeepthemonapositivetrajectoryof

physical,intellectual,andemotionalgrowth.InNew

Mexico,approximately14percentofchildrenunder

age18donothavehealthinsuranceofanykind,and

ofthe86percentofchildrenwhodohaveinsurance,


46percentarecoveredbyMedicaid.6Overhalf(52

percent)ofNewMexico’schildrenunderage19are

livinginpoverty-levelandlow-incomefamilies.7It

isclearthatMedicaid,whichcoversabout337,000

kidsunderage21,isofcrucialimportancetothe

healthofouryouth.Medicaidmustbesustained

andalleligiblechildrenenrolled.

OtherKIDSCOUNTindicatorsthathighlightthe

healthstatusofNewMexicoadolescentsshowthat

thereisroomforconcern:NewMexicoranks48th

amongthestatesintheproportionofteenswho

abusealcoholanddrugs.Accordingtodatafrom

thestate’sDepartmentofHealthandtheYouthRisk

andResiliencySurvey,oneinfourofthestate’shigh

schoolstudentsuseillicitdrugsand/orengagesin

bingedrinking.(Bingedrinkingisdefinedbythe

YRRSashavingfiveormoredrinksofalcoholina

row,withinacoupleofhours,ononeormoreof

thepast30days.)Insomeofourstate’scounties

theratesofteensreportingtheybingedrinkare

evenmorealarming:42percentinUnionCounty;

38percentinSantaFeandMoracounties;and

37percentinSierraandTaoscounties.Alcohol

anddrugusemayalsobefactorsinthehighteen

deathratesinthestate—59per100,000teens.

Inaddition,NewMexicocontinuestohavethe

secondhighestrateofteen(ages15-19)births,

especiallyamongHispanicsandNativeAmericans.

Althoughthestate’steenbirthrateappearstobe

slowlydecreasing,wecontinuetohavehigher

ratesthanmostotherstates.Childrenbornto

teensareatmuchgreaterriskofbeingtrappedin

thecycleoffamilypoverty,havingpooreducational

achievement,engagingincriminalbehavior,and

becomingteenparentsthemselves.

tAkIng ActIon

NewMexicodoesnothavecomprehensivepolicies

thatprovideallchildreninourstateaccesstothe

opportunitiesthatpromoteprogressandallow

youthtoreachtheirfullpotential.Theresearch

existsthatcanguideustodevelopandimplement

policiesthatpromoteandsupportchildren

andfamilies,from(andbefore)birththrough

adolescence.NewMexiconeedstomovefrom

knowledgetopractice.

Stategovernmentshouldsupportandfunda

comprehensive,high-qualityearlychildhoodcare

andeducationsystemofservices.Theseservices

includeprenatalcareandhomevisitingprograms,

high-qualitychildcare,andpreschool.Such

programswilldomuchtoimprovethewell-being

ofNewMexico’schildren,givinginfantsand

toddlersthebeststartduringthemostcritical

developmentalstageoftheirlivesandensuring

thatchildrenarereadingbythirdgradeandwill

havethenecessaryfoundationforasuccessful

pathtohighschoolgraduationandcollege/career

readiness.Wealsoneedtoprovidegreateraccess

toeducationandtrainingopportunitiestoadults

inourcommunities.Weknowthattheincreased

educationalattainmentlevelsoftheadults(parents)

inourstatewillresultinimprovededucational

outcomesforourchildren.Wemustalsoensure

thatchildrenandfamilieshaveadequateaccessto

healthcareandinsurance.Providingfundingthat

supportschildandyouthdevelopmentacross

education,health,workforcedevelopment,and

othersystemsisneeded.Policymakersshould

requireaccountabilitybylinkingprogramfunding

tomeaningfuloutcomesandcontinueoreliminate

programsbasedontheireffectiveness.

Stateandlocalpolicymakersneedtomakeuseof

credibledatainconsideringthepotentialimpact

ofbudgetaryandpolicydecisions.Thedataand

informationonthecurrentstatusofchildandfamily

well-beingprovidedinthis2012NewMexicoKIDS

COUNTDataBookaremeanttobeofuseto

decision-makersintakingmeaningfulstepsto

addressandreducetheadverseeconomic,social,

andeducationalfactorsimpedingourchildren’s

prospectsforfuturesuccess.


Tables and Graphs:Population and Economic Data


“Oneindicatorofpovertyis

thattwo-thirdsofstudentsin

NewMexicoschoolsareeligible

forfreeandreduced-pricelunch

andbreakfast.Insomepublic

schooldistricts,90percentor

moreofthestudentsareeligible

forfreeorreduced-pricemeals.”


Note:Thesearepopulation estimates,basedon

datafromJuly1,2010toJuly1,2011.

Source:UniversityofNewMexico,BureauofBusinessandEconomicResearch,2011StateandCountyPopulationEstimatesfromtheU.S.Census,at:http://bber.unm.edu/demo/coestchar.htm

tABle I: totAl (All Ages) And cHIld (Ages 0-19) PoPUlAtIon

By coUnty (2010-2011)

Total Child Total Population PopulationLocation (All Ages) (Ages 0-19)

NewMexico 2,082,224 578,777

BernalilloCounty 670,968 177,762

CatronCounty 3,733 625

ChavesCounty 65,890 20,682

CibolaCounty 27,658 7,617

ColfaxCounty 13,640 3,103

CurryCounty 49,649 15,403

DeBacaCounty 1,945 460

DoñaAnaCounty 213,598 64,260

EddyCounty 54,152 15,396

GrantCounty 29,380 7,066

GuadalupeCounty 4,619 1,078

HardingCounty 704 126

HidalgoCounty 4,861 1,379

LeaCounty 65,423 21,253

LincolnCounty 20,454 4,290

LosAlamosCounty 18,222 4,677

LunaCounty 25,281 7,480

McKinleyCounty 73,664 26,114

MoraCounty 4,773 1,096

OteroCounty 65,703 17,989

QuayCounty 9,026 2,158

RioArribaCounty 40,446 10,967

RooseveltCounty 20,446 6,498

SanJuanCounty 128,200 40,468

SanMiguelCounty 29,301 7,452

SandovalCounty 134,259 38,258

SantaFeCounty 145,648 33,276

SierraCounty 11,943 2,140

SocorroCounty 17,873 4,974

TaosCounty 32,917 7,414

TorranceCounty 16,345 4,281

UnionCounty 4,433 936

ValenciaCounty 77,070 22,099

“InNewMexico,approximately

42percentofchildrennowlive

withsingleparents.Thisisa

troublingindicator.”


Single Male Single Female Married Couple Householder HouseholderLocation Total Number Families Families Families Families

UnitedStates 73,283,099 67% 7% 26%

NewMexico 513,431 61% 10% 29%

BernalilloCounty 156,681 60% 11% 29%

ChavesCounty 17,991 60% 9% 31%

CibolaCounty 6,844 43% 17% 40%

CurryCounty 13,343 66% 8% 26%

DoñaAnaCounty 55,635 62% 7% 31%

EddyCounty 13,852 67% 8% 25%

GrantCounty 6,310 63% 11% 26%

LeaCounty 18,842 67% 12% 21%

LincolnCounty 3,863 61% 3% 36%

LunaCounty 6,735 54% 10% 36%

McKinleyCounty 22,664 53% 10% 37%

OteroCounty 15,922 63% 6% 31%

RioArribaCounty 9,840 50% 12% 38%

RooseveltCounty 4,980 69% 10% 21%

SanJuanCounty 34,720 61% 14% 25%

SanMiguelCounty 36,836 48% 19% 33%

SandovalCounty 6,332 61% 14% 25%

SantaFeCounty 29,913 64% 7% 29%

TaosCounty 6,658 50% 11% 39%

ValenciaCounty 19,908 65% 11% 24%

Source:U.S.Census,AmericanCommunitySurvey,2009-2011,TableB09005

tABle II: fAmIlIes By HoUseHolder tyPe And coUnty (2009-2011)


2010 2011Location Income Income

UnitedStates $51,222 $51,484

NewMexico $43,830 $43,715

BernalilloCounty $47,394 $47,103

ChavesCounty $35,259 $36,662

CibolaCounty $34,916 $36,219

CurryCounty $38,996 $38,695

DoñaAnaCounty $35,869 $36,278

EddyCounty $47,630 $46,871

GrantCounty $38,860 $37,386

LeaCounty NA $46,029

LincolnCounty $42,448 $42,632

LunaCounty $28,935 $30,768

McKinleyCounty $30,403 $31,417

OteroCounty $37,342 $36,834

RioArribaCounty $40,737 $40,366

RooseveltCounty $39,336 $39,369

SanJuanCounty $47,019 $48,943

SanMiguelCounty $29,686 $30,663

SandovalCounty $57,054 $56,545

SantaFeCounty $52,045 $51,674

TaosCounty $33,186 $33,660

ValenciaCounty $42,204 $42,465

The median (middle) household income in

New Mexico continues to be lower than that

of the U.S.

Source:U.S.Census,AmericanCommunitySurvey,TableB19013

tABle IV: medIAn HoUseHold Income

By coUnty (2010-2011)

Location 2011

UnitedStates 34%

NewMexico 42%*

BernalilloCounty 41%

ChavesCounty 41%

CibolaCounty 62%

CurryCounty 35%

DoñaAnaCounty 42%

EddyCounty 35%

GrantCounty 40%

LeaCounty 31%

LincolnCounty 42%

LunaCounty 48%

McKinleyCounty 56%

OteroCounty 38%

RioArribaCounty 53%

RooseveltCounty 32%

SanJuanCounty 43%

SanMiguelCounty 54%

SandovalCounty 41%

SantaFeCounty 38%

TaosCounty 47%

ValenciaCounty 38%

Note:Thenumeratoristhenumberofchildrenin

singleparentfamilies,dividedbythetotalnumber

ofchildrenlivingwithfamilies.

*Thisreadsas:“OfallchildrenlivingwiththeirfamiliesinNewMexico,42percentliveinhouseholdsheadedbyasingleparent.”

Source:U.S.Census,AmericanCommunitySurvey,2009-2011,TableC23008

tABle III: Percent of cHIldren

In sIngle-PArent fAmIlIes By

coUnty (2011)


Source:2009-2011AmericanCommunitySurvey,TableB17001

The national KIDS COUNT program ranks New Mexico

as 49th in the nation in terms of its high rate of child

poverty. While almost one in three children in the

state live in poverty, at least 11 counties have rates

that are much higher than that of the state.

tABle V: totAl And cHIld PoPUlAtIon lIVIng In PoVerty By

coUnty (2010-2011)

2010 2011

Total Children Total Children

Population Under Age 18 Population Under Age 18

Living in Living in Living in Living in Location Poverty Poverty Poverty Poverty

UnitedStates 14% 20% 15% 21%

NewMexico 19% 27% 20% 29%

BernalilloCounty 16% 23% 18% 25%

ChavesCounty 22% 27% 23% 30%

CibolaCounty 26% 38% 27% 42%

CurryCounty 20% 30% 19% 29%

DoñaAnaCounty 25% 36% 28% 39%

EddyCounty 12% 16% 12% 13%

GrantCounty 16% 26% 18% 26%

LeaCounty 16% 20% 17% 22%

LincolnCounty 15% 34% 13% 26%

LunaCounty 31% 49% 29% 51%

McKinleyCounty 31% 37% 31% 39%

OteroCounty 20% 27% 21% 30%

RioArribaCounty 17% 20% 20% 25%

RooseveltCounty 23% 29% 25% 33%

SanJuanCounty 21% 30% 22% 30%

SanMiguelCounty 29% 36% 28% 36%

SandovalCounty 12% 15% 14% 19%

SantaFeCounty 15% 23% 16% 24%

TaosCounty 19% 33% 24% 43%

ValenciaCounty 21% 34% 24% 36%


Note:Povertyratesforfamilieswithchildrenare

notcomparablewithoverallchildpovertyratesfor

severalreasons:familiesmayincludemorethan

onechildandchildrenliveinsituationsthatdo

notfallwithinthesethreepresentedcategoriesof

households(i.e.theymaylivewithagrandparent

orsomeonenotarelative).

New Mexico continues to have a high proportion

of its families living in poverty. The state also has a

high percent of its children living in single-parent

households, which often have access to fewer

resources and/or assets than married-couple

families to promote their children’s well-being.

*Thisreadsas:“Ofallfamilieswithchildrenunderage18inNewMexico,6percentwereheadedbyasingle-femaleparentwhoseincomewasbelowthefederalpovertylevel.”

Source:U.S.Census,2009-2011AmericanCommunitySurvey,TableC17010

tABle VI: Percent of fAmIlIes wItH cHIldren (Under Age 18) lIVIng In

PoVerty By fAmIly tyPe And coUnty (2009-2011)

Married Single Male Single Female Total Couple Householder Householder Families Families Families FamiliesLocation in Poverty in Poverty in Poverty in Poverty

UnitedStates 11% 3% 1% 5%

NewMexico 15% 4% 2% 6%*

BernalilloCounty 14% 3% 1% 6%

ChavesCounty 17% 5% 2% 7%

CibolaCounty 21% 5% 2% 10%

CurryCounty 15% 4% 2% 7%

DoñaAnaCounty 22% 7% 1% 9%

EddyCounty 8% 2% 1% 4%

GrantCounty 12% 3% 2% 4%

LeaCounty 13% 3% 1% 6%

LincolnCounty 9% 1% 1% 6%

LunaCounty 21% 6% 1% 10%

McKinleyCounty 26% 6% 2% 10%

OteroCounty 16% 6% 1% 6%

RioArribaCounty 16% 3% 3% 6%

RooseveltCounty 20% 6% 2% 9%

SanJuanCounty 18% 4% 3% 6%

SanMiguelCounty 19% 5% 4% 7%

SandovalCounty 11% 2% 2% 4%

SantaFeCounty 12% 3% 1% 5%

TaosCounty 17% 3% 2% 7%

ValenciaCounty 19% 6% 3% 7%


tABle VII: Percent of cHIldren lIVIng In AreAs of concentrAted PoVerty

By coUnty (2006-2010)

Location 2006-2010

UnitedStates 11%

NewMexico 20%


CatronCounty 0%

ChavesCounty 19%

CibolaCounty 7%

ColfaxCounty 0%

CurryCounty 45%

DeBacaCounty 0%

DoñaAnaCounty 44%

EddyCounty 0%

GrantCounty 0%

GuadalupeCounty 0%

HardingCounty 0%

HidalgoCounty 0%

LeaCounty 12%

LincolnCounty 0%

LosAlamosCounty 0%

LunaCounty 62%

McKinleyCounty 67%

MoraCounty 0%

OteroCounty 31%

QuayCounty 29%

RioArribaCounty 0%

RooseveltCounty 26%

SanJuanCounty 26%

SanMiguelCounty 24%

SandovalCounty 2%

SantaFeCounty 8%

SierraCounty 0%

SocorroCounty 12%

TaosCounty 0%

TorranceCounty 0%

UnionCounty 0%

ValenciaCounty 13%

One in five children in New Mexico live in areas of

concentrated poverty—that is, they live in communities

in which 30 percent or more of the population lives

in poverty. This means that even middle-class and/or

high-income families with children may live in these

areas, and suffer from the lack of resources. This

indicator is different from the “child poverty” indicator,

which is based on the level of income for the family

of the child.

Note: Dataanalysisofcensustractratesofpoverty

werepreparedbythePopulationReferenceBureau

forthenationalKIDSCOUNTprogramtogetthese

estimatesofconcentratedpovertyatthecounty

level.Thosecountieswitha0percentrateof

childrenlivinginareasofconcentratedpoverty

didnothaveanycensustractswitha30percent

orhigherrateofpoverty.

Source:U.S.AmericanCommunitySurvey,2006-2010,withdataanalysisdonebyKIDSCOUNT


Families Families At Below Poverty or Above Location Poverty Level Poverty Level

UnitedStates 40% 16%

NewMexico 38%* 18%**

BernalilloCounty 39% 16%

ChavesCounty 25% 17%

CibolaCounty 38% 26%

CurryCounty 25% 13%

DoñaAnaCounty 33% 19%

EddyCounty 25% 15%

GrantCounty 47% 29%

LeaCounty 40% 15%

LunaCounty 28% 27%

McKinleyCounty 58% 18%

OteroCounty 30% 23%

RioArribaCounty 67% 21%

RooseveltCounty 25% 17%

SanJuanCounty 53% 14%

SanMiguelCounty 48% 27%

SandovalCounty 41% 17%

SantaFeCounty 27% 17%

TaosCounty 27% 22%

ValenciaCounty 36% 21%

Location 2008-2010 2009-2011


NewMexico 11% 13%




CurryCounty 18% 17%


EddyCounty 14% 14%

GrantCounty 9% 12%

LeaCounty 11% 13%

LincolnCounty 12% 13%

LunaCounty 17% 20%


OteroCounty 12% 16%



SanJuanCounty 8% 9%



SantaFeCounty 8% 9%

TaosCounty 14% 14%


This table presents data by families in which no

parent had secure employment. However, since

2008, New Mexico has also seen a rise in the

percent of children whose parents lack secure

employment—from 30 percent in 2008, to

37 percent in 2010—an indication that the

consequences of the recession are still affecting

the well-being of children in our state.

*Thisreadsas:“OfallNewMexicofamilieslivinginpoverty,38percentwerefamiliesinwhichnoparenthadfull-time,year-roundemployment.”

**Thisreadsas:“OfallNewMexicofamiliesatorabovepovertylevel,18percentwerefamiliesinwhichnoparenthadfull-time,year-roundemployment.”


A recent study (November 2012) by Hoynes, H.,

Schanzenbach, D. & Almond, D. finds that “access to

food stamps [SNAP program] in childhood leads to

a significant reduction in the incidence of obesity,

high blood pressure, and diabetes,” even decades

after originally utilized.


tABle VIII: Percent of fAmIlIes In

wHIcH no PArent HAd fUll-tIme,

yeAr-roUnd emPloyment By

coUnty (2011)

tABle Ix: Percent of

HoUseHolds receIVIng snAP

By coUnty (2008-2011)


Rental Households Location Households with Mortgage


NewMexico 44% 21%



CibolaCounty 34% 6%

CurryCounty 38% 15%


EddyCounty 35% 13%

GrantCounty 56% 14%

LeaCounty 36% 13%

LincolnCounty 34% 20%

LunaCounty 34% 16%


OteroCounty 36% 17%







TaosCounty 53% 18%


Location 2009-2011

UnitedStates 22%

NewMexico 19%


ChavesCounty 15%

CibolaCounty 8%

CurryCounty 15%

DoñaAnaCounty 15%

EddyCounty 16%

GrantCounty 23%

LeaCounty 13%

LincolnCounty 25%

LunaCounty 15%

McKinleyCounty 8%

OteroCounty 17%

RioArribaCounty 12%

RooseveltCounty 14%

SanJuanCounty 13%

SanMiguelCounty 8%

SandovalCounty 22%

SantaFeCounty 29%

TaosCounty 22%

ValenciaCounty 13%

Note:A‘highhousingcostburden’isdefinedas

paying30percentormoreoffamilyincomeon

rentormortgage.

Source:2009-2011AmericanCommunitySurvey,TablesB25070(rent)andB25091(mortgages)

Having assets, like dividends, gives families resources

on which to fall back and get through periods of

financial hardship, such as the loss of a job.


tABle x: Percent of HoUseHolds

In wHIcH fAmIlIes fAce A HIgH

HoUsIng cost BUrden By coUnty

(2009-2011)

tABle xI: Percent of HoUseHolds

wItH Income from Interest,

dIVIdends or net rentAl

receIPts By coUnty (2009-2011)


Tables and Graphs:Education Data


“Learningexperiencesduring

thefirstfiveyearsoflifemold

theneurologicalcircuitryand

architectureofthematuring

brain,buildingeitherasturdy

orfragilefoundationfora

child’scognitive,emotional,

social,andbehavioralcapacity.”


Location 2009-2011

UnitedStates 48%

NewMexico 40%*


ChavesCounty 46%

CibolaCounty 50%

CurryCounty 39%

DoñaAnaCounty 29%

EddyCounty 40%

GrantCounty 29%

LeaCounty 30%

LunaCounty 64%

McKinleyCounty 52%

OteroCounty 40%

RioArribaCounty 33%

RooseveltCounty 44%

SanJuanCounty 33%

SanMiguelCounty 30%

SandovalCounty 53%

SantaFeCounty 40%

TaosCounty 38%

ValenciaCounty 25%

*Thisreadsas:“Outofall3-and4-year-oldchildreninNewMexico,40percentwereenrolledinpreschool.”

Source:U.S.Census,AmericanCommunitySurvey,2009-2011,TableB14003

tABle xII: Percent of cHIldren

(Ages 3-4) AttendIng PrescHool By

coUnty (2009-2011)

“Ingeneral,thehigherthe

educationalattainmentof

parents,thebetterachildwill

doinlife.NewMexicoranks

47thamongthestatesforthe

highproportionofitschildren

(20percent)livinginfamiliesin

whichthehouseholdheadlacks

ahighschooldiploma.”


Students Eligible for Free/Reduced- Total Price Lunch Location Enrollment and Breakfast

NewMexico 344,532 66%

AlamogordoPublicSchools 6,255 58%

AlbuquerquePublicSchools 88,244 62%

AnimasPublicSchools 226 63%

ArtesiaPublicSchools 3,661 48%

AztecMunicipalSchools 3,360 55%

BelenConsolidatedSchools 4,502 76%

BernalilloPublicSchools 3,244 79%

BloomfieldMunicipalSchools 3,047 70%

CapitanMunicipalSchools 488 57%

CarlsbadMunicipalSchools 5,917 60%

CarrizozoMunicipalSchools 148 91%

CentralConsolidatedSchools 6,576 77%

ChamaValleyIndependentSchools 381 74%

CimarronPublicSchools 348 60%

ClaytonPublicSchools 574 69%

CloudcroftMunicipalSchools 389 41%

ClovisMunicipalSchools 8,809 67%

CobreConsolidatedSchools 1,357 75%

CoronaMunicipalSchools 77 73%

CubaIndependentSchools 561 70%

DemingPublicSchools 5,402 80%

DesMoinesMunicipalSchools 81 70%

DexterConsolidatedSchools 1,016 80%

DoraConsolidatedSchools 245 39%

DulceIndependentSchools 693 80%

ElidaMunicipalSchools 143 50%

EspañolaMunicipalSchools 4,310 70%

EstanciaMunicipalSchools 847 77%

EuniceMunicipalSchools 651 57%

FarmingtonMunicipalSchools 10,578 55%

FloydMunicipalSchools 233 72%

FortSumnerMunicipalSchools 340 59%

GadsdenIndependentSchools 13,981 93%

Gallup-McKinleyCountySchools 12,134 82%

tABle xIII: totAl enrollment And Percent of stUdents elIgIBle for

free/redUced-PrIce lUncH By scHool dIstrIct (2011-2012)



GradyMunicipalSchools 113 52%

Grants-CibolaCountySchools 3,575 75%

HagermanMunicipalSchools 451 81%

HatchValleyMunicipalSchools 1,445 96%

HobbsMunicipalSchools 8,634 63%

HondoValleyPublicSchools 175 87%

HouseMunicipalSchools 98 38%

JalPublicSchools 393 57%

JemezMountainPublicSchools 305 88%

JemezValleyPublicSchools 383 83%

LakeArthurMunicipalSchools 143 88%

LasCrucesPublicSchools 24,715 65%

LasVegasCityPublicSchools 1,859 71%

LoganMunicipalSchools 275 59%

LordsburgMunicipalSchools 515 70%

LosAlamosPublicSchools 450 10%

LosLunasPublicSchools 8,332 70%

LovingMunicipalSchools 632 90%

LovingtonPublicSchools 3,628 64%

MagdalenaMunicipalSchools 404 82%

MaxwellMunicipalSchools 89 70%

MelrosePublicSchools 228 41%

MesaVistaConsolidatedSchools 399 63%

MoraIndependentSchools 586 84%

MoriartyMunicipalSchools 3,224 58%

MosqueroMunicipalSchools 53 64%

MountainairPublicSchools 287 81%

PecosIndependentSchools 638 74%

PeñascoIndependentSchools 464 86%

PojoaqueValleyPublicSchools 2,048 59%

PortalesMunicipalSchools 3,003 68%

QuemadoIndependentSchools 152 80%

QuestaIndependentSchools 423 80%

RatonPublicSchools 1,287 68%

ReserveIndependentSchools 149 83%

RioRanchoPublicSchools 16,882 43%

tABle xIII: contInUed


Source:NMPublicEducationDepartment,ChildNutritionPrograms,ApprovedFreeandReducedPercentages,ProgramYear2012

tABle xIII: contInUed


RoswellIndependentSchools 10,086 73%

RoyMunicipalSchools 40 60%

RuidosoMunicipalSchools 2,202 70%

SanJonMunicipalSchools 122 63%

SantaFePublicSchools 13,340 67%

SantaRosaConsolidatedSchools 616 81%

SilverCityConsolidatedSchools 3,008 60%

SocorroConsolidatedSchools 1,908 70%

SpringerMunicipalSchools 193 78%

TaosMunicipalSchools 3,063 85%

TatumMunicipalSchools 325 53%

TexicoMunicipalSchools 547 56%

TruthorConsequencesSchools 1,364 81%

TucumcariPublicSchools 1,069 83%

TularosaMunicipalSchools 863 71%

VaughnMunicipalSchools 120 79%

WagonMoundPublicSchools 78 85%

WestLasVegasPublicSchools 1,714 81%

ZuniPublicSchools 2,213 92%


Of more than 340,000 students enrolled in

New Mexico school districts, almost two-thirds

(66 percent) are eligible for free and/or reduced-

price breakfast and lunch programs. This indicator

gives a clear idea of how many students are in

low-income families—a factor that tends to have

adverse effects on educational outcomes.

Source:NMPublicEducationDepartment,http://www.ped.state.nm.us/IT/dl11/FreeRedPct_2012.pdf.MapsfromKIDSCOUNTDataCenter,http://www.kidscount.org/datacenter

mAP I: Percent of stUdents elIgIBle

for free/redUced-PrIce lUncH By

scHool dIstrIct (2011-2012)

10.0% - 43.0%

43.1% - 64.0%

64.1% - 77.0%

77.1% - 96.0%

Source:NMPublicEducationDepartment,ProficienciesbyState,DistrictandSchool,byGrade,2012,at:http://ped.state.nm.us/AssessmentAccountability/AcademicGrowth/NMSBA.html.MapsfromKIDSCOUNTDataCenter,http://www.kidscount.org/datacenter

mAP II: ProfIcIency rAtes In 3rd

grAde reAdIng By scHool

dIstrIct (2011)

12.0% - 32.0%

32.1% - 48.0%

48.1% - 60.0%

60.1% - 86.0%

No Data


Percent Percent Proficient in Proficient in 3rd Grade 8th Grade Location Reading Math

NewMexico 52% 42%

AlamogordoPublicSchools 59% 60%

AlbuquerquePublicSchools 53% 43%

AnimasPublicSchools 60% 73%

ArtesiaPublicSchools 52% 48%

AztecMunicipalSchools 52% 39%

BelenConsolidatedSchools 57% 40%

BernalilloPublicSchools 40% 34%

BloomfieldMunicipalSchools 48% 29%

CapitanMunicipalSchools 56% 49%

CarlsbadMunicipalSchools 63% 40%

CarrizozoMunicipalSchools 55% 29%

CentralConsolidatedSchools 39% 37%

ChamaValleyIndependentSchools 52% 53%

CimarronPublicSchools 65% 41%

ClaytonPublicSchools 66% 65%

CloudcroftMunicipalSchools 59% 67%

ClovisMunicipalSchools 55% 51%

CobreConsolidatedSchools 62% 30%

CoronaMunicipalSchools NA NA

CubaIndependentSchools 46% 51%

DemingPublicSchools 43% 41%

DesMoinesMunicipalSchools NA NA

DexterConsolidatedSchools 53% 36%

DoraConsolidatedSchools 64% 45%

DulceIndependentSchools 25% 17%

ElidaMunicipalSchools 43% 58%

EspañolaMunicipalSchools 47% 18%

EstanciaMunicipalSchools 60% 60%

EuniceMunicipalSchools 44% 45%

FarmingtonMunicipalSchools 58% 35%

FloydMunicipalSchools 64% 32%

FortSumnerMunicipalSchools 70% 50%

GadsdenIndependentSchools 47% 43%

Gallup-McKinleyCountySchools 32% 32%

GradyMunicipalSchools NA 43%

tABle xIV: ProfIcIency rAtes In reAdIng And mAtH By scHool

dIstrIct (2011-2012)



Grants-CibolaCountySchools 43% 32%

HagermanMunicipalSchools 46% 10%

HatchValleyMunicipalSchools 43% 33%

HobbsMunicipalSchools 43% 34%

HondoValleyPublicSchools 29% 43%

HouseMunicipalSchools NA NA

JalPublicSchools 63% 32%

JemezMountainPublicSchools 23% 24%

JemezValleyPublicSchools 31% 15%

LakeArthurMunicipalSchools 36% NA

LasCrucesPublicSchools 53% 36%

LasVegasCityPublicSchools 53% 21%

LoganMunicipalSchools 86% 44%

LordsburgMunicipalSchools 44% 24%

LosAlamosPublicSchools 80% 70%

LosLunasPublicSchools 54% 39%

LovingMunicipalSchools 30% 21%

LovingtonPublicSchools 56% 38%

MagdalenaMunicipalSchools 12% 27%

MaxwellMunicipalSchools 70% NA

MelrosePublicSchools 39% 59%

MesaVistaConsolidatedSchools 37% 18%

MoraIndependentSchools 65% 47%

MoriartyMunicipalSchools 64% 54%

MosqueroMunicipalSchools NA NA

MountainairPublicSchools 41% 28%

PecosIndependentSchools 46% 21%

PeñascoIndependentSchools 63% 21%

PojoaqueValleyPublicSchools 63% 35%

PortalesMunicipalSchools 52% 38%

QuemadoIndependentSchools 73% 46%

QuestaIndependentSchools 27% 24%

RatonPublicSchools 55% 58%

ReserveIndependentSchools NA 67%

RioRanchoPublicSchools 66% 62%

RoswellIndependentSchools 52% 52%

RoyMunicipalSchools NA NA

tABle xIV: contInUed


Reading proficiency by the end of 3rd grade is

considered a vital step in a child’s educational

development. Up to 4th grade, children “learn to

read,” while after this, they must “read to learn,”

using their reading skills to understand other

subjects. Studies show that children who cannot

read proficiently by 4th grade are more likely

to have higher rates of grade retention, more

behavioral and social problems, and a lower

likelihood of graduating high school. New Mexico

currently ranks last among all states on this

important national indicator (“Early Warning!

Why Reading by the End of Third Grade Matters”,

The Annie E. Casey Foundation).

tABle xIV: contInUed


RuidosoMunicipalSchools 42% 44%

SanJonMunicipalSchools 67% NA

SantaFePublicSchools 54% 32%

SantaRosaConsolidatedSchools 40% 35%

SilverCityConsolidatedSchools 66% 45%

SocorroConsolidatedSchools 51% 30%

SpringerMunicipalSchools 50% 64%

TaosMunicipalSchools 51% 36%

TatumMunicipalSchools 40% 70%

TexicoMunicipalSchools 72% 69%

TruthorConsequencesSchools 39% 39%

TucumcariPublicSchools 51% 33%

TularosaMunicipalSchools 39% 26%

VaughnMunicipalSchools NA 8%

WagonMoundPublicSchools NA NA

WestLasVegasPublicSchools 55% 32%

ZuniPublicSchools 42% 19%

Source:NMPublicEducationDepartment,ProficienciesbyState,DistrictandSchool,byGrade,2012,at:http://ped.state.nm.us/AssessmentAccountability/AcademicGrowth/NMSBA.html


Graduation Graduation Dropout Rates for All Rates for Economically Rates for All Students Disadvantaged Students Students Location (2010-2011) (2010-2011) (2012-2012)

NewMexico 63% 56% NA

AlamogordoPublicSchools 83% 75% 5.2%

AlbuquerquePublicSchools 63% 52% 5.4%

AnimasPublicSchools 94% 88% 0.0%

ArtesiaPublicSchools 79% 66% 4.0%

AztecMunicipalSchools 65% 51% 3.3%

BelenConsolidatedSchools 67% 59% 6.1%

BernalilloPublicSchools 60% 60% 6.4%

BloomfieldMunicipalSchools 66% 56% 9.2%

CapitanMunicipalSchools 89% 85% 3.2%

CarlsbadMunicipalSchools 76% 67% 2.9%

CarrizozoMunicipalSchools 92% 96% 0.0%

CentralConsolidatedSchools 63% 63% 6.0%

ChamaValleyIndependentSchools 96% 98% 0.0%

CimarronPublicSchools 82% 68% 8.0%

ClaytonPublicSchools 98% 98% 0.0%

CloudcroftMunicipalSchools 86% 67% 0.5%

ClovisMunicipalSchools 72% 63% 3.9%

CobreConsolidatedSchools 85% 85% 0.5%

CoronaMunicipalSchools 87% 90% 0.0%

CubaIndependentSchools 67% 67% 6.1%

DemingPublicSchools 61% 63% 5.8%

DesMoinesMunicipalSchools 98% NA 0.0%

DexterConsolidatedSchools 93% 95% 0.6%

DoraConsolidatedSchools 98% 98% 0.6%

DulceIndependentSchools 64% 64% 4.6%

ElidaMunicipalSchools 97% NA 3.2%

EspañolaMunicipalSchools 45% 46% 7.7%

EstanciaMunicipalSchools 69% 75% 11.2%

EuniceMunicipalSchools 77% 65% 3.2%

FarmingtonMunicipalSchools 66% 50% 3.0%

FloydMunicipalSchools 91% 91% 10.1%

FortSumnerMunicipalSchools 95% 90% 3.2%

GadsdenIndependentSchools 81% 82% 2.3%

Gallup-McKinleyCountySchools 66% 62% 5.4%

GradyMunicipalSchools 93% NA 0.0%

tABle xV: HIgH scHool grAdUAtIon And droPoUt rAtes By scHool

dIstrIct (2010-2011)



Grants-CibolaCountySchools 70% 66% 4.6%

HagermanMunicipalSchools 81% 81% 2.4%

HatchValleyMunicipalSchools 63% 63% 10.4%

HobbsMunicipalSchools 65% 55% 4.3%

HondoValleyPublicSchools 71% 71% 2.6%

HouseMunicipalSchools 52% 60% 11.9%

JalPublicSchools 93% 98% 1.7%

JemezMountainPublicSchools 81% 84% 5.6%

JemezValleyPublicSchools 86% 84% 0.7%

LakeArthurMunicipalSchools 65% 67% 3.0%

LasCrucesPublicSchools 70% 60% 4.1%

LasVegasCityPublicSchools 76% 71% 2.7%

LoganMunicipalSchools 79% 78% 1.4%

LordsburgMunicipalSchools 93% 86% 4.5%

LosAlamosPublicSchools 88% NA 3.4%

LosLunasPublicSchools 72% 62% 3.0%

LovingMunicipalSchools 94% 98% 0.4%

LovingtonPublicSchools 80% 75% 8.2%

MagdalenaMunicipalSchools 69% 70% 4.9%

MaxwellMunicipalSchools 72% NA 0.0%

MelrosePublicSchools 84% NA 0.0%

MesaVistaConsolidatedSchools 81% 80% 1.9%

MoraIndependentSchools 80% 82% 2.2%

MoriartyMunicipalSchools 70% 54% 5.3%

MosqueroMunicipalSchools 98% NA 0.0%

MountainairPublicSchools 90% 90% 0.6%

PecosIndependentSchools 79% 80% 2.0%

PeñascoIndependentSchools 85% 85% 3.5%

PojoaqueValleyPublicSchools 78% 67% 6.0%

PortalesMunicipalSchools 80% 71% 1.6%

QuemadoIndependentSchools 94% 98% 2.4%

QuestaIndependentSchools 87% 87% 2.4%

RatonPublicSchools 74% 62% 5.5%

ReserveIndependentSchools 92% 94% 1.2%

RioRanchoPublicSchools 73% 64% 2.6%

RoswellIndependentSchools 72% 69% 9.6%

tABle xV: contInUed


A 2012 U.S. Department of Education report has

ranked only one state (Nevada) as having a worse

high school graduation rate than New Mexico. It is

estimated that each student who does not graduate

costs American society approximately $260,000

in lost wages, taxes, and productivity. Given that

New Mexico also has one of the highest rates of

youth ages 16 to 19 not in school and not working,

this is an indicator of great concern with regard to

the state’s ability to train a workforce capable of

handling future job needs.

Note:Dropoutratesarenotrelatedtocohort

on-timegraduationrates,sothepercentagesdo

notaddupto100%.Theterm“dropout”relatesto

somethingdifferentfroma“non-graduate,”so

theratesarenotcomplementary.Also,unlike

graduationrates,dropoutratesarecalculated

eachyear.

tABle xV: contInUed


RoyMunicipalSchools 90% NA 4.0%

RuidosoMunicipalSchools 84% 79% 3.2%

SanJonMunicipalSchools 96% 92% 0.0%

SantaFePublicSchools 57% 51% 7.1%

SantaRosaConsolidatedSchools 80% 80% 1.1%

SilverCityConsolidatedSchools 78% 68% 1.6%

SocorroConsolidatedSchools 76% 73% 8.9%

SpringerMunicipalSchools 84% 90% 3.0%

TaosMunicipalSchools 68% 69% 6.1%

TatumMunicipalSchools 92% 89% 0.0%

TexicoMunicipalSchools 96% 84% 4.3%

TruthorConsequencesSchools 72% 65% 3.5%

TucumcariPublicSchools 76% 77% 3.0%

TularosaMunicipalSchools 91% 90% 2.6%

VaughnMunicipalSchools 74% NA 4.2%

WagonMoundPublicSchools 98% NA 8.1%

WestLasVegasPublicSchools 77% 78% 5.7%

ZuniPublicSchools 80% 79% 2.5%

Sources:NMPublicEducationDepartment,4-YearGraduationRates,Cohortof2011at:http://ped.state.nm.us/Graduation/2012/Webfiles%20Graduation%20Cohort%20of%202011%20-%204%20Year_2012-05-04_1120.pdf;NMPublicEducationDepartment,2010-2011DropoutReportat:http://www.ped.state.nm.us/IT/schoolFactSheets.html


Currently, youth employment is at its lowest level

since World War II, a situation that makes it very

difficult for young people trying to earn a degree,

get a job, start a family, and make their own way

financially. In New Mexico, only one-quarter of youth

ages 16 to 19 are employed, and roughly 12 percent

of this age group are not in school and not working.

As youth who miss out on early work experiences are

more likely to suffer chronic un- or underemployment,

this is a concerning indicator in our state.

Note:Therowsdonottotal100percentbecause

thecategories“enrolledinschool,employed,”

and“notenrolledinschool,employed”were

notincluded.

*Thisreadsas:“80percentofallmale16-to19-year-oldsinNewMexicoareenrolledinschool.”

**Thisreadsas:“5percentofallmale16-to19-year-oldsinNewMexicoarehighschoolgraduates,arenotinschool,andarenotworking.”


tABle xVI: Percent of teens (Ages 16-19) By scHool enrollment And/or

workIng stAtUs By coUnty (2009-2011)

MALES FEMALES Not Enrolled Not Enrolled Not Enrolled in School; Not Enrolled in School; in School; Not High in School; Not High High School School High School School Enrolled Graduate; Graduate; Not Enrolled Graduate; Graduate; Location in School Not Working Working in School Not Working Not Working

UnitedStates 83% 5% 4% 86% 4% 3.5%

NewMexico 80%* 5%** 6% 82% 5% 7%

BernalilloCounty 82% 5% 6% 84% 4% 6%

DoñaAnaCounty 86% 0.8% 5% 86% 3% 6%

McKinleyCounty 78% 8% 10% 77% 9% 9%

OteroCounty 80% 7% 2% 77% 8% 6%

RioArribaCounty 60% 5% 22% 76% 2% 11%

SanJuanCounty 77% 7% 8% 79% 11% 6%

SandovalCounty 78% 7% 2% 82% 9% 3%

SantaFeCounty 79% 5% 10% 75% 7% 10%

ValenciaCounty 75% 6% 12% 80% 4% 10%


Percent Percent with High Percent Percent Percent with 12th School Percent with with with Grade, No Diploma, GED with Some Associate’s Bachelor’s Graduate Diploma* or Alternative College Degree Degree Degree

UnitedStates 2% 28% 21% 8% 18% 10%

NewMexico 2% 27% 24% 7% 15% 11%

BernalilloCounty 2% 24% 24% 7% 18% 14%

ChavesCounty 1% 27% 25% 7% 11% 6%

CibolaCounty 1% 42% 21% 6% 6% 4%

CurryCounty 2% 24% 26% 11% 12% 7%

DoñaAnaCounty 1% 22% 22% 6% 15% 10%

EddyCounty 2% 31% 20% 9% 10% 7%

GrantCounty 1% 29% 23% 9% 13% 11%

LeaCounty 2% 30% 21% 7% 8% 4%

LincolnCounty 2% 27% 27% 8% 16% 9%

LunaCounty 1% 30% 19% 5% 8% 7%

McKinleyCounty 2% 32% 23% 6% 6% 4%

OteroCounty 2% 29% 28% 10% 11% 6%

RioArribaCounty 1% 30% 26% 7% 8% 7%

RooseveltCounty 1% 25% 25% 7% 12% 10%

SanJuanCounty 2% 33% 24% 9% 10% 6%

SanMiguelCounty 1% 34% 23% 7% 12% 8%

SandovalCounty 1% 27% 26% 9% 17% 11%

SantaFeCounty 1% 21% 21% 5% 21% 19%

TaosCounty 1% 25% 23% 9% 19% 10%

ValenciaCounty 3% 29% 28% 7% 11% 7%

Note:Thepercentagesinthesecolumnsdonotaddupto100percentbecausecertaineducational

attainmentcategoriesfromtheAmericanCommunitySurveytablearenotincluded,suchas“noschooling

completed,”“nurseryschoolto4thgrade,”“5thto6thgrade,”andthelike.

*Thiscolumnincludesstudentswhohaveattended12thgradeofhighschool,butwhohavenotgraduatedwithadiploma.


tABle xVII: PoPUlAtIon (Age 25 And older) By edUcAtIonAl AttAInment

And coUnty (2009-2011)


Families in Which Families in Poverty Head of Household in Which Head of Lacks High Household Lacks High Location School Diploma School Diploma


NewMexico 16%* 36%**




CurryCounty 16% 29%


EddyCounty 14% 27%

GrantCounty 14% 30%

LeaCounty 25% 30%

LunaCounty 31% 59%


OteroCounty 13% 34%







TaosCounty 13% 32%


tABle xVIII: Percent of fAmIlIes wHere HeAd of HoUseHold lAcks HIgH

scHool dIPlomA By coUnty (2007-2011)

In general, those who do not have a high school

diploma, will have higher rates of unemployment

and find it more difficult to get and keep jobs with

high pay and benefits. The lack of a well-educated

workforce has a negative impact on the long-term

economic health of a state, and is one of

New Mexico’s major challenges. This table indicates

the high percentage of families in poverty in which

the head of the household has less than a high

school education.

*Thisreadsas:“16percentofallfamiliesinNewMexicohaveaheadofhouseholdwithlessthanahighschooldiploma.”

**Thisreadsas:“36percentoffamilieslivinginpovertyhaveaheadofhouseholdwhohaslessthanahighschooldiploma.”



Tables and Graphs:Race and Ethnicity Data


“Althoughthestate’steenbirthrate

appearstobeslowlydecreasing,

NewMexicocontinuestohavethe

secondhighestrate,especially

amongHispanicsandNative

Americans.Childrenborntoteens

areatmuchgreaterriskofbeing

trappedinthecycleoffamily

poverty,havingpooreducational

achievement,engagingincriminal

behavior,andbecomingteen

parentsthemselves.”


Native Two or Black American White Asian More Non- Location Alone Alone Alone Alone Races Hispanic Hispanic

UnitedStates 13% 1% 64% 5% 3% 16% 84%

NewMexico 2% 9% 41% 1% 3% 46% 54%

BernalilloCounty 3% 5% 42% 2% 4% 47% 53%

CatronCounty 0% 5% 77% 0% 1% 17% 83%

ChavesCounty 1% 2% 45% 1% 6% 51% 49%

CibolaCounty 1% 42% 22% 0% 2% 36% 64%

ColfaxCounty 1% 4% 50% 1% 3% 46% 54%

CurryCounty 6% 2% 51% 1% 2% 39% 61%

DeBacaCounty 0% 0% 58% 0% 0% 41% 59%

DoñaAnaCounty 2% 1% 30% 1% 2% 65% 35%

EddyCounty 1% 1% 53% 1% 4% 43% 57%

GrantCounty 0% 2% 49% 1% 2% 48% 52%

GuadalupeCounty 2% 3% 18% 0% 2% 76% 24%

HardingCounty 0% 1% 50% 2% 14% 47% 53%

HidalgoCounty 3% 1% 40% 0% 0% 57% 43%

LeaCounty 5% 1% 44% 0% 2% 50% 50%

LincolnCounty 0% 1% 66% 0% 6% 29% 71%

LosAlamosCounty 1% 0% 77% 5% 3% 15% 85%

LunaCounty 1% 1% 36% 0% 2% 61% 39%

McKinleyCounty 1% 74% 11% 1% 3% 14% 86%

MoraCounty 0% 3% 19% 0% 2% 80% 20%

OteroCounty 4% 7% 53% 1% 3% 34% 66%

QuayCounty 0% 4% 54% 1% 2% 41% 59%

RioArribaCounty 1% 14% 14% 0% 1% 71% 29%

RooseveltCounty 2% 2% 56% 1% 2% 39% 61%

SanJuanCounty 1% 37% 42% 0% 3% 19% 81%

SanMiguelCounty 1% 2% 20% 0% 3% 77% 23%

SandovalCounty 3% 13% 48% 1% 3% 35% 65%

SantaFeCounty 1% 3% 44% 1% 3% 50% 50%

SierraCounty 0% 2% 69% 0% 4% 27% 73%

SocorroCounty 1% 11% 38% 1% 3% 48% 52%

TaosCounty 1% 6% 36% 0% 5% 56% 44%

TorranceCounty 1% 2% 56% 0% 3% 39% 61%

UnionCounty 6% 3% 59% 0% 3% 36% 64%

ValenciaCounty 1% 4% 36% 1% 3% 58% 42%


tABle xIx: totAl (All Ages) PoPUlAtIon By rAce/etHnIcIty And coUnty

(2007-2011)


grAPH I: yoUng cHIld PoPUlAtIon

(Ages 0-5) In new mexIco By rAce/

etHnIcIty (2007-2011)

grAPH II: totAl cHIld PoPUlAtIon

(Ages 0-19) In new mexIco By rAce/

etHnIcIty (2007-2011)

NewMexicocontinuestobea“minority-

majority”state,particularlyamongitsyoungpeople.

Giventhegreatracialandethnicdiversityofthisstate,

attentionmustbepaidtoaddressingdisparities—in

education,employment,livingconditions,health,andother

keyareas—toensurethatallchildrenandtheirfamilieshave

equitableopportunitiestothrive.

Source:2007-2011AmericanCommunitySurvey,TableSeriesB10110 Source:2007-2011AmericanCommunitySurvey,TableSeriesB10110

5%Two or More

Races1%Asian Alone

2%Black Alone

9%Native American

Alone

21%White Alone

12%Other

50%Hispanic

4%Two or More

Races1%Asian Alone

2%Black Alone

10%Native American

Alone

23%White Alone

12%Other

48%Hispanic


grAPH III: grAdUAtIon rAtes In new mexIco By rAce/etHnIcIty And otHer

cHArActerIstIcs (2010-2011)

Sources:U.S.DepartmentofEducation,2012,Ed.govat:http://www.eddataexpress.ed.gov/state-tables-main.cfm;NMPublicEducationDepartmentat:http://ped.state.nm.us/Graduation/2012/Webfiles%20Graduation%20Cohort%20of%202011%20-%204%20Year_2012-05-04_1120.pdf

0

50

30

20

10

70

90%United StatesNew Mexico80

60

40

Gra

du

ati

on

Rate

Total

Black

Native

Amer

ican

Whi

te

Asian

Hispan

ic

Englis

h-La

ngua

ge

Lear

ners

Stud

ents

with

Disab

ilitie

s


grAPH IV: teen (Ages 15-17) BIrtH rAte trends In new mexIco By

rAce/etHnIcIty (2006-2011)

Source:NMDepartmentofHealth,RacialandEthnicHealthDisparitiesReportCard,7thEd.,September2012at:http://www.health.state.nm.us/opa/documents/ReportCard-RacialAndEthnicHealthDisparities-2012-EN.pdfhttp://www.health.state.nm.us/opa/documents/ReportCard-RacialAndEthnicHealthDisparities-2012-EN.pdf

2008-2010 2009-20112007-20092006-2008

Rate

pe

r 1,

00

0 T

ee

ns

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

NM: Hispanic

Total: New Mexico

NM: Native American

Total: United States

NM: Black or African-American

NM: White, non-Hispanic

NM: Asian/Pacific Islanders


Tables and Graphs:Health Data


“Withinsurancecoverage,

childrenaremorelikelytogetthe

preventivevisits,immunizations,

developmentalchecks,andcare

neededtokeepthemonapositive

trajectoryofphysical,intellectual,

andemotionalgrowth.Medicaid,

whichcoversmoreNewMexico

kidsthananyotherhealthinsurer,

isofcrucialimportancetothe

healthofouryouth.”


Only 11 states do worse than New Mexico in providing

health insurance for their children. Children who are

living in low-income families are less likely to have

health insurance—unless it is provided by Medicaid.

Without health insurance, young children are much

less likely to get well-child screenings, preventive care,

or even necessary health care.

Note:Thesedataareusuallydrawnfromthe

mostrecentU.S.Census,SmallAreaHealth

InsuranceEstimates,buttheywerenotavailable

atpublicationtime.


tABle xx: Percent of cHIldren (Under Age 18) wItHoUt HeAltH InsUrAnce

By coUnty (2009-2011)

Location Rate

UnitedStates 8%

NewMexico 10%

BernalilloCounty 9%

ChavesCounty 8%

CibolaCounty 13%

CurryCounty 8%

DoñaAnaCounty 8%

EddyCounty 4%

GrantCounty 8%

LeaCounty 15%

LincolnCounty 5%

LunaCounty 9%

McKinleyCounty 24%

OteroCounty 11%

RioArribaCounty 6%

RooseveltCounty 10%

SanJuanCounty 23%

SanMiguelCounty 7%

SandovalCounty 7%

SantaFeCounty 11%

TaosCounty 4%

ValenciaCounty 4%

Medicaid continues to be the single largest insurance

provider for children (covering approximately

46 percent of children) in the state. Without this

essential support, nearly half our children would not

have health insurance at all.

Note: Dataprovidedaretheaveragenumber

ofchildrenorNativeAmericanchildrenunder21

servedfromAugust2011throughJuly2012.


tABle xxI: cHIldren (Under Age 21) enrolled In medIcAId By

coUnty (2001-2012)

2010 2011

Native Native

All American All American Location Children Children Children Children

NewMexico 336,293 56,925 336,890 56,134

BernalilloCounty 94,011 9,289 94,900 9,200

CatronCounty 294 22 283 17

ChavesCounty 13,651 224 13,456 214

CibolaCounty 5,738 3,430 5,754 3,434

ColfaxCounty 1,752 30 2,278 227

CurryCounty 8,739 167 8,751 155

DeBacaCounty 300 7 300 7

DoñaAnaCounty 44,805 774 44,952 673

EddyCounty 9,103 153 8,918 131

GrantCounty 4,669 87 4,451 82

GuadalupeCounty 747 18 741 20

HardingCounty 37 2 31 2

HidalgoCounty 810 8 780 7

LeaCounty 11,505 148 11,407 133

LincolnCounty 2,924 236 2,907 228

LosAlamosCounty 300 12 319 10

LunaCounty 5,979 99 5,990 92

McKinleyCounty 18,562 16,599 18,245 16,182

MoraCounty 589 13 628 17

OteroCounty 7,530 1,431 7,511 1,412

QuayCounty 1,626 42 1,605 36

RioArribaCounty 8,812 1,676 8,867 1,705

RooseveltCounty 3,520 85 3,454 74

SanJuanCounty 22,850 13,184 23,185 13,308

SanMiguelCounty 5,373 565 5,172 425

SandovalCounty 17,043 4,832 17,499 4,789

SantaFeCounty 16,404 1,479 15,916 1,242

SierraCounty 1,787 38 1,825 31

SocorroCounty 3,148 864 3,035 878

TaosCounty 4,957 552 4,886 502

TorranceCounty 4,086 150 4,012 148

UnionCounty 515 8 743 69

ValenciaCounty 13,651 592 13,615 573

Source:NMHumanServicesDivision,MonthlyNativeAmericanChildrenEligibilityReport,NativeAmericanChildrenUnder21EnrolledinMedicaid,at:http://www.hsd.state.nm.us/mad/pdf_files/Reports/Revisedby11-5-12/AllNAChildDistributionbyCo.pdfandChildrenUnder21EnrolledinMedicaidat:http://www.hsd.state.nm.us/mad/pdf_files/Reports/Revisedby11-5-12/AllChildDistributionbyCo.pdf


Note:Birthrateisthenumberoflivebirthsper

1,000personsinthepopulation.

*Thiscountorrateisstatisticallyunstable(RelativeStandardError>0.3),meaningthatitmayfluctuatewidelyacrosstimeperiodsduetorandomvariation(chance),NMDOH-IBIS.Problemswithstatisticalinstabilitytendtooccurwhenthereareasmallnumberofhealtheventsinasmallpopulation.

Source:NMDepartmentofHealth,IBISDatabase--fromNMBirthCertificateDatabase,BureauofVitalRecordsandHealthStatistics,fortheyear2011at:http://ibis.health.state.nm.us/query/result/birth/BirthPopCnty/BirthRate.html

tABle xxII: rAte of BIrtHs to sIngle motHers (All Ages) By coUnty (2011)

Location Rate

NewMexico 6.7

BernalilloCounty 5.8

CatronCounty 1.6*

ChavesCounty 7.4

CibolaCounty 10.7

ColfaxCounty 5.8

CurryCounty 8.0

DeBacaCounty 4.5*

DoñaAnaCounty 8.0

EddyCounty 7.3

GrantCounty 5.8

GuadalupeCounty 5.8

HardingCounty 4.3*

HidalgoCounty 9.3

LeaCounty 8.6

LincolnCounty 5.6

LosAlamosCounty 0.5*

LunaCounty 7.9

McKinleyCounty 13.1

MoraCounty 4.3

OteroCounty 5.9

QuayCounty 6.8

RioArribaCounty 9.3

RooseveltCounty 6.1

SanJuanCounty 8.4

SanMiguelCounty 6.8

SandovalCounty 5.0

SantaFeCounty 4.5

SierraCounty 4.3

SocorroCounty 7.8

TaosCounty 6.1

TorranceCounty 5.3

UnionCounty 3.1

ValenciaCounty 7.0

Although the teen birth rate has improved in

New Mexico—much as in the entire U.S.—the state

is still ranked 49th in the country. Our teen birth rates

continue to be higher among certain race/ethnic

groups, such as Hispanics and Native Americans,

a disparity that should be addressed. Teen births are

of major concern as the children of teen parents—

especially if the teen mother is single—are at greater

risk of continued poverty, poor educational

achievement, and future criminal activity.

Note:Teenbirthrateisthenumberoflivebirths

toteensages15-19per1,000teens(15-19)inthe

population.

*Thiscountorrateiseitherstatisticallyunstable(RSE>0.3),orextremelyunstable(RSE>0.5)meaningthatitmayfluctuatewidelyacrosstimeperiodsduetorandomvariation(chance)andshouldnotbeusedtoinferpopulationrisk,NMDOH-IBIS.Problemswithstatisticalinstabilitytendtooccurwhenthereareasmallnumberofhealtheventsinasmallpopulation.


tABle xxIII: teen (Ages 15-19) BIrtH nUmBer And rAte By coUnty (2010-2011)

2010 2011

Location Number Rate Number Rate

UnitedStates(2009) NA 39.0 NA 39.0

NewMexico 3865 46.2 3,447 47.8

BernalilloCounty 958 42.2 787 34.6

CatronCounty 2 17.2 1 12.8*

ChavesCounty 183 62.0 149 57.9

CibolaCounty 75 65.4 67 69.6

ColfaxCounty 16 31.4 25 66.7

CurryCounty 141 79.4 128 76.0

DeBacaCounty 2 20.2 5 94.6*

DoñaAnaCounty 548 63.1 494 55.5

EddyCounty 131 57.2 134 71.4

GrantCounty 64 53.5 31 36.0

GuadalupeCounty 9 45.2 8 65.6*

HardingCounty NA NA NA NA

HidalgoCounty 11 44.5 9 49.4*

LeaCounty 170 70.0 193 78.8

LincolnCounty 26 31.9 26 50.0

LosAlamosCounty 5 7.3 3 5.6*

LunaCounty 94 74.7 74 76.6

McKinleyCounty 201 46.0 211 61.0

MoraCounty 4 13.9 9 65.1*

OteroCounty 112 36.7 107 53.2

QuayCounty 25 66.1 25 92.9

RioArribaCounty 93 51.5 73 54.9

RooseveltCounty 56 64.1 54 55.6

SanJuanCounty 271 42.2 256 52.2

SanMiguelCounty 57 46.5 42 35.8

SandovalCounty 163 26.5 131 28.5

SantaFeCounty 183 36.5 161 39.2

SierraCounty 18 39.0 17 65.7

SocorroCounty 58 73.2 27 40.7

TaosCounty 37 32.0 43 48.9

TorranceCounty 23 27.1 33 62.4

UnionCounty 6 28.6 3 24.9*

ValenciaCounty 123 35.6 121 68.0

Source:NMDepartmentofHealth,IBISDatabase;NMBirthCertificateDatabase,BureauofVitalRecordsandHealthStatisticsfor2011at:http://ibis.health.state.nm.us/query/result/birth/AdolBirthCnty/AdolBirth15_19.html


tABle xxIV: Percent of low BIrtH weIgHt BABIes By coUnty (2011)

Location Rate

UnitedStates 9.2%

NewMexico 7.4%

BernalilloCounty 7.7%

CatronCounty 9.1%

ChavesCounty 6.6%

CibolaCounty 7.6%

ColfaxCounty* 19.6%

CurryCounty 6.0%

DeBacaCounty 0.0%

DoñaAnaCounty 6.3%

EddyCounty 5.6%

GrantCounty 10.6%

GuadalupeCounty 7.9%

HardingCounty 0.0%

HidalgoCounty* 13.2%

LeaCounty 7.8%

LincolnCounty 6.6%

LosAlamosCounty 7.8%

LunaCounty 7.3%

McKinleyCounty 7.4%

MoraCounty 9.1%

OteroCounty 7.4%

QuayCounty 4.5%

RioArribaCounty 9.2%

RooseveltCounty 9.2%

SanJuanCounty 6.0%

SanMiguelCounty 8.8%

SandovalCounty 8.2%

SantaFeCounty 8.2%

SierraCounty 9.2%

SocorroCounty 5.5%

TaosCounty 6.1%

TorranceCounty 12.1%

UnionCounty 7.5%

ValenciaCounty 8.2%

New Mexico ranks 25th among the states on this

indicator—a better performance than on other key

KIDS COUNT health measures for children. Low birth

weight babies are at higher risk of developmental

delays and poor health.

Note:LowBirthWeight(LBW)isdefinedasinfant

weightat1,500to2,499grams.

*ColfaxCountyhasthehighestrateofLBWinfants,thoughthenumberofLBWbabiesborninthatcountywasactuallyonly28;Hidalgohasthesecondhighestrate,althoughtheactualnumberwasonly10.

Source:NMDepartmentofHealth,IBISDatabase--fromNMBirthCertificateDatabase,BureauofVitalRecordsandHealthStatistics,fortheyear2011.


tABle xxV: InfAnt mortAlIty nUmBer

And rAte By coUnty (2011)

tABle xxVI: cHIld (Ages 1-14) deAtH

nUmBer And rAte By coUnty (2011)

Location Number Rate

UnitedStates NA 6.0

NewMexico 143 5.2

BernalilloCounty 45 5.4

ChavesCounty 5 5.4

CibolaCounty 3 7.6*

CurryCounty 7 7.4

DoñaAnaCounty 13 4.0

EddyCounty 6 7.8

HidalgoCounty 1 13.2*

LeaCounty 4 3.8

LincolnCounty 1 5*

LunaCounty 1 2.8*

McKinleyCounty 11 8.4

MoraCounty 1 22.7*

OteroCounty 4 4.3

RioArribaCounty 3 5.2*

SanJuanCounty 11 5.8

SanMiguelCounty 2 6.3*

SandovalCounty 1 0.6*

SantaFeCounty 9 6.5

SierraCounty 1 11.5*

SocorroCounty 4 16.8

TorranceCounty 3 17.3*

ValenciaCounty 7 7.5


NewMexico 96 24.2


ChavesCounty 4 28.0

CibolaCounty 2 38.6*

CurryCounty 4 36.4

DeBacaCounty 1 292.2*


EddyCounty 4 36.7

GrantCounty 1 20.4*

LeaCounty 4 26.3

LincolnCounty 1 34*

LunaCounty 2 39.6*


MoraCounty 2 257.3*

OteroCounty 1 8.1*

QuayCounty 1 67.4*

RioArribaCounty 2 26.4*

RooseveltCounty 2 48*



SandovalCounty 9 32.9

SantaFeCounty 4 17.2

SierraCounty 1 69*

SocorroCounty 1 30.5*


Note:Therateisthenumberofinfantmortalities

per1,000livebirths.

*IBISstatesthatthecountorrateisextremelyunstable(RelativeStandardError>0.5).Thevalueshouldnotbeusedtoinferpopulationrisk.Theproblemwithstatisticalinstabilitygenerallyoccurswhenthereareasmallnumberofhealtheventsinasmallpopulation.

Source:NMDepartmentofHealth,IBISDatabase;NMDeathCertificateDatabase,OfficeofVitalRecordsandStatisticsforyear2011.U.S.infantmortalityratedatafrom:https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/fields/2091.html

Note: Childdeathrateisthenumberofdeathsof

childrenages1-14per100,000childrenofthatage.

*Thiscountorrateisextremelyunstable(RelativeStandardError>0.5).Thisvalueshouldnotbeusedtoinferpopulationrisk,andisgenerallybroughtaboutbyasmallnumberofhealtheventsinasmallpopulation.

Source:NMDepartmentofHealth,IBIS;NMDeathCertificateDatabase,OfficeofVitalRecordsandStatisticsathttp://ibis.health.state.nm.us/query/result/mort/MortCntyICD10/CrudeRateQuartile.html


tABle xxVII: teen (Ages 15-19) deAtH

nUmBer And rAte By coUnty (2011)


NewMexico 87 58.9


ChavesCounty 5 90.1

CibolaCounty 3 155.9*

CurryCounty 1 28.3*


EddyCounty 1 25.5*

LeaCounty 2 40.3*

LincolnCounty 1 89.4*


MoraCounty 1 343.3*

OteroCounty 2 46.2*

QuayCounty 1 172.6*

RioArribaCounty 4 143.6

RooseveltCounty 1 51.4*



SandovalCounty 6 64.2

SantaFeCounty 3 36.1*

TaosCounty 3 161.8*

TorranceCounty 1 87.2*


Note:Teendeathrateisthenumberofdeathsof

teensages15-19per100,000childrenofthatage.

*Thiscountorrateisextremelyunstable(RelativeStandardError>0.5).Thisvalueshouldnotbeusedtoinferpopulationrisk,andisgenerallybroughtaboutbyasmallnumberofhealtheventsinasmallpopulation.

Source:NMDepartmentofHealth,IBISDatabase;NMDeathCertificateDatabase,OfficeofVitalRecordsandStatisticsforyear2011at:http://ibis.health.state.nm.us/query/result/mort/MortCntyICD10/CrudeRateQuartile.html


tABle xVIII: sUBstAntIAted cHIld ABUse AllegAtIons By tyPe And

coUnty (2010-2011)

Rate of

Substantiated Percent Percent Percent

Abuse Physical Sexual Physical

Location (# per 1,000) Abuse Abuse Neglect

NewMexico 12.4 19% 18% 23%

BernalilloCountyMetroRegion:East NA 16% 25% 18%

BernalilloCountyMetroRegion:West NA 7% 20% 14%

CatronCounty 6.7 100% 0% 40%

ChavesCounty 17.7 6% 0% 40%

CibolaCounty 11.4 14% 0% 13%

ColfaxCounty 39.8 52% 75% 19%

CurryCounty 22.4 22% 29% 34%

DeBacaCounty 45.3 33% 0% 0%

DoñaAnaCounty 10.5 13% 10% 15%

EddyCounty 16.2 24% 15% 18%

GrantCounty 14.7 20% 0% 16%

GuadalupeCounty 23.5 13% 0% 26%

HardingCounty 0.0 0% 0% 0%

HidalgoCounty 10.1 9% 0% 0%

LeaCounty 19.5 46% 50% 53%

LincolnCounty 13.5 32% 0% 25%

LosAlamosCounty 3.0 36% 0% 19%

LunaCounty 17.6 22% 100% 43%

McKinleyCounty 4.6 19% 0% 16%

MoraCounty 11.5 50% 0% 7%

OteroCounty 13.9 7% 0% 31%

QuayCounty 51.4 24% 0% 42%

RioArribaCounty 15.2 38% 0% 31%

RooseveltCounty 21.7 0% 0% 38%

SanJuanCounty 10.2 16% 19% 20%

SanMiguelCounty 24.3 49% 17% 34%

SandovalCounty 7.5 16% 11% 19%

SantaFeCounty 9.7 34% 19% 31%

SierraCounty 26.3 35% 100% 12%

SocorroCounty 19.8 22% 0% 32%

TaosCounty 7.9 5% 0% 20%

TorranceCounty 25.4 37% 20% 12%

UnionCounty 42.8 20% 50% 63%

ValenciaCounty 28.4 24% 21% 39%

Source:NMChildren,YouthandFamiliesDepartment,360DegreesCountyProfiles,FourthQuarterSFY2011at:http://www.cyfd.org/pdf/psprofiles/County_Profiles_Q4FY11.pdf


tABle xxIx: Percent of HIgH scHool stUdents wHo Use drUgs And

AlcoHol By coUnty (2001-2009)

Students Students Using Illicit Binge Drugs in Drinking in Past 30 Days Past 30 Days Location (2007) (2001-2009)

UnitedStates NA 24%

NewMexico 26% 25%


CatronCounty 17% 24%



ColfaxCounty 26% 34%

CurryCounty 27% 30%

DeBacaCounty 19% NA


EddyCounty 21% 31%

GrantCounty 19% 32%

GuadalupeCounty 24% 35%

HardingCounty 0% NA

HidalgoCounty 13% 32%

LeaCounty 18% 34%

LincolnCounty NA 28%

LosAlamosCounty 25% 24%

LunaCounty 20% 29%


MoraCounty 38% 38%

OteroCounty 30% 31%

QuayCounty 16% 32%





SandovalCounty NA NA


SierraCounty 27% 37%

SocorroCounty 32% 33%

TaosCounty 30% 37%

TorranceCounty 18% 25%

UnionCounty 13% 42%


Sources:NMDepartmentofHealth,IBISDatabaseat:http://ibis.health.state.nm.us/indicator/view_numbers/BingeDrinkYouth.Cnty.htmlforbingedrinking;http://ibis.health.state.nm.us/indicator/view_numbers/DrugUseYouth.Cnty.htmlforillicitdruguse


25%BINGE DRINK

26%USE DRUGS

New Mexico High School Student Drug and Alcohol Use

APPROXIMATELY ONE IN FOUR

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN NEW MEXICO

SAY THEY BINGE DRINK.

APPROXIMATELY ONE IN FOUR

HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS IN NEW MEXICO

SAY THEY USE ILLICIT DRUGS.


Methodology

data sources: TheNewMexicoKIDSCOUNT

programdoesnotdesignorimplementprimary

researchinthestate.Instead,theprogramusesand

analyzessecondarydataandstudyfindingsprovided

bycredibleresearchanddatacollectioninstitutions

bothinthestateandthenation,suchastheU.S.

CensusBureau.TheNewMexicoKIDSCOUNTstaff

makeeveryefforttoconfirmthatthedatagathered

andusedarethemostreliablepossible.However,

werelyonthedatacollectionandanalysisskillsof

thoseinstitutionsprovidingthisinformation.

data conditions: Sometablesinthisreportdonot

providedataforallNewMexicocounties.Inorder

toprovidethemostup-to-dateinformationpossible

wemakeeveryefforttoutilizethemostrecentU.S.

CensusBureau(generallytheAmericanCommunity

Survey,orACS)datasets.Giventhis,however,

acertaintrade-offtakesplace,asdataarenot

alwaysavailableincertaintimeframesforcertain

geographicareas,likecounties,withsmaller

populationsizes.Forexample,one-yearestimates,

suchasthe2011ACSprovidethemostcurrentdata

available,butareonlypublishedforgeographic

areaswithapopulationof65,000ormore.ACS

three-yearestimates(suchas2009-2011)provide

dataforareaswithestimatedpopulationsof20,000

ormore,andthus,moreNewMexicocountiesare

includedinourtablesbasedontheseestimates.

Thefive-yearestimatesprovidedataforareaswith

fewerthan20,000people,becauseinfiveyears

alargeenoughsamplehasbeenaccumulatedto

provideaccurateestimatesforthoseareas.TheU.S.

Censusisprogressingonaplannedscheduleto

providedataforallpopulation-sizeareas,withthe

projectedyearof2013forprovidingdataestimates

forallareasintheU.S.

Thedatapresentedinthevarioustablesand

graphsinthisreportareoftennotcomparable

toeachother.Thisisduetoseveralfactors.

Thesedatacomefromavarietyofsourcesthat

mayusedifferentsamplesizesintheirresearch/

datacollectionmethods.Datamayalsobederived

fromsurveysorquestionnairesthatapplydifferent

definitionstokey,measurableterms—suchas

“family”versus“household”(seebelow).Inaddition,

statistics,suchaspercentagesorrates,maybe

calculatedforcertainpopulationsbasedon

differentuniverses(thetotalnumberofunits—

e.g.,individuals,households,businesses—inthe

populationofinterest).Theuniversegenerally

servesasthedenominatorwhenapercentage

orrateiscalculated.Apercentageisameasure

calculatedbytakingthenumberofitemsina

grouppossessingacertainqualityofinterest

anddividingbythetotalnumberofitemsinthat

group,andthenmultiplyingby100.

key U.s. census definitions to Help in

Understanding certain tables and graphs

Ahouseholdincludesallthepeoplewhooccupy

orliveinahousingunit(apartment,house,

mobilehome,etc.)astheirusualplaceofresidence.

Ahouseholderisthepersoninwhosenamethe

homeisowned,boughtorrented.Householdsare

classifiedbythegenderofthehouseholderand


thepresenceofrelatives,suchas:married-couple

family;malehouseholder,nowifepresent;female

householder,nohusbandpresentwithownchildren;

andthelike.

Afamilyincludesahouseholderandpeopleliving

inthesamehouseholdwhoarerelatedtothat

householderbybirth,marriageoradoptionand

regardedasmembersofhis/herfamily.Afamily

householdmay have people not related to the

householder, but they are not included as part of

the householder’s family in Census tabulations.

• So,thoughthenumberoffamily households

equalsthenumberoffamilies,family

householdsmayincludemoremembers

thandofamilies.

• Familiesareclassifiedas“MarriedCouple

Family,”“SingleParentFamily,”“Stepfamily,”

or“Subfamily.”

Total incomeisthesumoftheamountsreported

separatelyforwages,salary,commissions,bonuses,

ortips;self-employmentincomefromone’sown

non-farmorfarmbusinesses,includingproprietorships

andpartnerships;interest,dividends,netrental

income,royaltyincome,orincomefromestates

andtrusts;SocialSecurityorRailroadRetirement

income;SupplementalSecurityIncome(SSI);any

publicassistanceorwelfarepaymentsfromthe

stateorlocalwelfareoffice;retirement,survivor,

ordisabilitypensions;andanyothersourcesof

incomereceivedregularly,suchasVeterans’(VA)

payments,unemploymentcompensation,child

support,oralimony.

Median incomedivideshouseholdsorfamilies

evenlyinthemiddlewithhalfofallhouseholds/

familiesearningmorethanthemedianincomeand

halfofallhouseholds/familiesearninglessthanthe

medianincome.TheU.S.CensusBureauconsiders

themedianincometobelowerthantheaverage

income,andthus,amoreaccuraterepresentation.

Poverty levelcanbeadeceptivemarker.The

CensusBureauusesasetofincomethresholdsthat

varybyfamilysizeandcompositiontodetermine

whoispoor.Iftotalincomeforafamilyorunrelated

individualfallsbelowtherelevantpovertythreshold,

thenthefamilyorunrelatedindividualisclassified

asbeing“belowthepovertylevel.”However,whatis

consideredthepovertylevelisgenerallyfarbelow

whatafamilyactuallyneedsinordertoliveata

bareminimumlevel(i.e.,havesufficientfood,a

placetolive,transportation,andhealthcare).For

example,the2012FederalPovertyGuidelinesseta

povertylevelof$11,170foroneperson;forafamily

offour,thepovertyguideisanincomeof$23,050.

However,afamilyoffouratdouble(200percent)

oftheFederalPovertyLevel($46,100)isconsidered

tobelow-income,withjustenoughtocoverbasic

familylivingexpenses.


Major Data Sources

American community survey,

U.s. census Bureau

TheAmericanCommunitySurvey(ACS)providesannual

dataondemographic,social,housing,andeconomic

indicators.TheACSsamplesnearly3millionaddresses

eachyear,resultinginapproximately2millionfinal

interviews.Afterabroadnationwidedatacollectiontest

conductedbetween2000and2004,fullimplementation

ofthesurveybeganin2005,withtheexceptionofgroup

quarters(suchascorrectionalfacilities,collegedorms,

andnursinghomes),whichwerefirstincludedinthe2006

ACS.Certainchangesonhealthinsurancecoverage,

veteran’sservice-connecteddisability,andmaritalhistory,

weremadetotheACSquestionnaireatthebeginningof

2008.Eachyear,theACSreleasesdataforgeographic

areaswithpopulationsof65,000residentsormore,and

collectsasampleoverthree-andfive-yearperiodsto

produceestimatesforsmallergeographicareas.In2012,

one-yearestimates(2011)werereleased,aswellasthe

2010three-yearestimates(2009-2011)forareaswith

populationsof20,000ormore,andthe2011five-year

estimates.(The2007-2011ACS5-yearestimatesare

constructedasaperiodestimateandreflecttheaverage

datacharacteristicsovertheentireperiod.)Inaddition,

in2011,resultsfromthe2010U.S.Censusweremade

available.InternetaddressforFactFinder2:

http://factfinder2.census.gov/faces/nav/jsf/

pages/index.xhtml

Bureau of Business and economic research,

University of new mexico

TheBureauofBusinessandEconomicResearch(BBER)

analyzeseconomicanddemographicresearchrelatedto

NewMexico.TheBBERalsomaintainstheDataBank,a

libraryofsocioeconomicdata,andincludesanextensive

decennialcensuscollection,alongwithawideassortment

ofothereconomicanddemographicinformation.Internet

address:http://bber.unm.edu/

data collection Bureau, new mexico Public

education department

TheDataCollectionBureaugathersdatafrompublic

schooldistrictsthroughoutNewMexico,suchas

percentageofstudentsreceivingfreeandreduced-price

lunches,studentenrollmentfigures,student-to-teacher

ratios,andhighschoolgraduationrates.Internetaddress:

http://www.ped.state.nm.us/IT/schoolFactSheets.html.

economic Policy Institute

TheEconomicPolicyInstitute(EPI)isanonprofit,

non-partisanorganizationthatproducesreportsabout

conditionsfacinglow-andmiddle-incomefamiliesinthe

areasofeducation,theeconomy,livingstandards,and

thelabormarket,publishingthehighlyrespectedannual

reportTheStateofWorkingAmerica.Internetaddress:

http://www.epi.org

medical Assistance division, new mexico Human

services department

TheMedicalAssistanceDivisionadministersNewMexico’s

MedicaidandChildHealthInsuranceProgram(CHIP)—

NewMexikids.MonthlyMedicaideligibilityreportsare

issuedforallchildren(includingNative-Americanchildren)

bycategoryofeligibilityandbycounty.CHIPeligibility

reportsarealsoissuedmonthly.Internetaddress:

http://www.hsd.state.nm.us/mad/RMedicaidEligibility.html

small Area Health Insurance estimates, U.s.

census Bureau

TheSmallAreaHealthInsuranceEstimates(SAHIE)

programprovideshealthinsuranceestimatesforallstates

andcounties.Atthecountylevel,dataareavailableon

healthinsurancecoveragebyage,sex,andincome.

Internetaddress:http://www.census.gov/did/www/sahie/


small Area Income and Poverty estimates,

U.s. census Bureau

TheSmallAreaIncomeandPovertyEstimates(SAIPE)

program,conductedbytheU.S.CensusBureauwith

supportfromotherfederalagencies,providesselected

incomeandpovertydataforstates,counties,andschool

districts.Dataareusedfortheadministrationoffederal

programsandallocationoffederalfundstolocalities.

Internetaddress:http://www.census.gov/did/www/saipe/

Bureau of Vital records and Health statistics,

new mexico department of Health

TheNewMexicoBureauofVitalRecordsandHealth

Statisticstabulatesvitalrecordsdatatoanalyzethe

healthstatusofNewMexicans.Thetwomajordata

systemsarethefilesforbirthanddeath.Thebirthfile

containsdataondemographiccharacteristicsofnewborns

andtheirparents.Dataonmothers’pregnancyhistoryand

medicalriskfactorsareincluded.Thedeathfilecontains

demographicdataondecedents,whichareprovided

byfuneraldirectors,andthecausesofdeath,whichare

providedbyphysiciansormedicalinvestigators.Internet

address:http://vitalrecordsnm.org//index.shtml

epidemiology and response division, new

mexico department of Health

TheEpidemiologyandResponseDivisionmaintainsthe

web-basedpublichealthdataresourcecalledNM-IBIS

(NewMexico’sIndicator-BasedInformationSystem).This

databaseprovidesup-to-datestatisticsfromavarietyof

statehealthdepartmentdivisions,includingbirth,death,

prevalence,andincidencedata.Thereisahealthstatus

indicatorreportsection,aswellasadirectquerysection

whereuserscandefinetheirspecificdatarequestsand

getresponsesintabularandgraphformats.Internet

address:http://ibis.health.state.nm.us/

U.s. census Bureau

Thefederalgovernmentimplementsanationalcensus

everydecade;theofficial2010Censusresultswere

releasedin2011.Censusdataarecollectedfromtheentire

populationratherthanasamplethatisrepresentativeof

theentirepopulation(suchastheAmericanCommunity

Survey).Censusdataserveasthebasisforredrawing

federalcongressionaldistrictsandstatelegislativedistricts

underPublicLaw94-171.DatafromtheU.S.Censuscan

beaccessedfromthesameFactFinder2websiteasthat

oftheAmericanCommunitySurvey.


otHer dAtA soUrces

TheAnnie E. Casey FoundationhasfundedtheKIDS

COUNTinitiativesince1990andpublishesanannualdata

bookhighlightingthewell-beingofchildrenaroundthe

country.UsingdatafromtheU.S.CensusBureauand

NationalCenterforHealthStatistics,theFoundationalso

providesinformationatitsonlinedatacenterforeach

state,theDistrictofColumbia,andPuertoRico,aswell

asbytopic,suchasimmigration,poverty,education,

employmentandincome.Internetaddresses:

http://www.aecf.organd:http://datacenter.kidscount.org.

TheOffice of School and Adolescent Health, Health

Systems Bureau, New Mexico Department of Health,

publishestheAdolescent Health Data Reporttoprovidea

comprehensiveoverviewofadolescenthealthneedsand

data,aswellastheresultsoftheYouth Risk & Resiliency

Survey,asurveyofpublichighschoolstudents(grades

9-12)andpublicmiddleschoolstudents(grades6-8)

aboutriskbehaviorsandresiliencyfactors.Internet

address:http://www.nmschoolhealth.org/

TheU.S. Department of Health and Human Services

providespovertyguidelinesthatareasimplifiedversion

ofthefederalpovertythresholdsandareusedfor

determiningeligibilityforvariousfederalprograms.The

povertythresholdsareissuedbytheU.S.CensusBureau

tocalculatepovertypopulationstatistics(e.g.,the

percentageornumberofpeoplelivinginpovertyina

particulararea).Internetaddress:http://www.hhs.gov.

coUnty IndexRoman numerals refer to table numbers, NOT page numbers.

Bernalillo I,II,III,IV,V,VI,VII,VIII,IX,X,XI,XII,XVI,XVII,XVIII,XIX,

XX,XXI,XXII,XXIII,XXIV,XXV,XXVI,XXVII,XXVIII,XXIX

CatronI,VII,XIX,XXI,XXII,XXIII,XXIV,XXVIII,XXIX

ChavesI,II,III,IV,V,VI,VII,VIII,IX,X,XI,XII,XVII,XVIII,XIX,XX,XXI,

XXII,XXIII,XXIV,XXV,XXVI,XXVII,XXVIII,XXIX

CibolaI,II,III,IV,V,VI,VII,VIII,IX,X,XI,XII,XVII,XVIII,XIX,XX,XXI,


ColfaxI,VII,XIX,XXI,XXII,XXIII,XXIV,XXVIII,XXIX

CurryI,II,III,IV,V,VI,VII,VIII,IX,X,XI,XII,XVII,XVIII,XIX,XX,XXI,


De BacaI,VII,XIX,XXI,XXII,XXIII,XXIV,XXVI,XXVIII,XXIX

Doña AnaI,II,III,IV,V,VI,VII,VIII,IX,X,XI,XII,XVI,XVII,XVIII,XIX,


EddyI,II,III,IV,V,VI,VII,VIII,IX,X,XI,XII,XVII,XVIII,XIX,XX,XXI,


GrantI,II,III,IV,V,VI,VII,VIII,IX,X,XI,XII,XVII,XVIII,XIX,XX,XXI,

XXII,XXIII,XXIV,XXVI,XXVII,XXVIII,XXIX

GuadalupeI,VII,XIX,XXI,XXII,XXIII,XXIV,XXVIII,XXIX

HardingI,VII,XIX,XXI,XXII,XXIII,XXIV,XXVIII,XXIX

HidalgoI,VII,XIX,XXI,XXII,XXIII,XXIV,XXV,XXVIII,XXIX

LeaI,II,III,IV,V,VI,VII,VIII,IX,X,XI,XII,XVII,XVIII,XIX,XX,XXI,


LincolnI,II,III,IV,V,VI,VII,IX,X,XI,XVII,XIX,XX,XXI,XXII,XXIII,

XXIV,XXV,XXVI,XXVII,XXVIII,XXIX

Los AlamosI,VII,XIX,XXI,XXII,XXIII,XXIV,XXVIII,XXIX

LunaI,II,III,IV,V,VI,VII,VIII,IX,X,XI,XII,XVII,XVIII,XIX,XX,XXI,

XXII,XXIII,XXIV,XXV,XXVI,XXVIII,XXIX

McKinleyI,II,III,IV,V,VI,VII,VIII,IX,X,XI,XII,XVI,XVII,XVIII,XIX,


MoraI,VII,XIX,XXI,XXII,XXIII,XXIV,XXV,XXVI,XXVII,XXVIII,XXIX

OteroI,II,III,IV,V,VI,VII,VIII,IX,X,XI,XII,XVI,XVII,XVIII,XIX,XX,

XXI,XXII,XXIII,XXIV,XXV,XXVI,XXVII,XXVIII,XXIX

QuayI,VII,XIX,XXI,XXII,XXIII,XXIV,XXVI,XXVII,XXVIII,XXIX

Rio ArribaI,II,III,IV,V,VI,VII,VIII,IX,X,XI,XII,XVI,XVII,XVIII,XIX,


RooseveltI,II,III,IV,V,VI,VII,VIII,IX,X,XI,XII,XVII,XVIII,XIX,XX,

XXI,XXII,XXIII,XXIV,XXVI,XXVII,XXVIII,XXIX

San JuanI,II,III,IV,V,VI,VII,VIII,IX,X,XI,XII,XVI,XVII,XVIII,XIX,


San MiguelI,II,III,IV,V,VI,VII,VIII,IX,X,XI,XII,XVII,XVIII,XIX,XX,

XXI,XXII,XXIII,XXIV,XXV,XXVI,XXVII,XXVIII,XXIX

SandovalI,II,III,IV,V,VI,VII,VIII,IX,X,XI,XII,XVI,XVII,XVIII,XIX,


Santa FeI,II,III,IV,V,VI,VII,VIII,IX,X,XI,XII,XVI,XVII,XVIII,XIX,


SierraI,VII,XIX,XXI,XXII,XXIII,XXIV,XXV,XXVI,XXVIII,XXIX

SocorroI,VII,XIX,XXI,XXII,XXIII,XXIV,XXV,XXVI,XXVIII,XXIX

TaosI,II,III,IV,V,VI,VII,VIII,IX,X,XI,XII,XVII,XVIII,XIX,XX,XXI,

XXII,XXIII,XXIV,XXVII,XXVIII,XXIX

TorranceI,VII,XIX,XXI,XXII,XXIII,XXIV,XXV,XXVII,XXVIII,XXIX

UnionI,VII,XIX,XXI,XXII,XXIII,XXIV,XXVIII,XXIX

ValenciaI,II,III,IV,V,VI,VII,VIII,IX,X,XI,XII,XVI,XVII,XVIII,XIX,


end notes

1. ChildTrends/DataBank(FamilyStructure).

Foundat:http://www.childtrendsdatabank.

org/?q=node/334.

2. Personalconversationswithparticipantsin

aConnectingDatatoActionworkshopin

Deming,NM,andothermeetingsheldinLuna

CountywiththeNMKIDSCOUNTdirectorin

2011and2012.

3. Fiester,L.&Smith,R.(2010). Learning to

Read—Early Warning! Why Reading by the End

of Third Grade Matters: A KIDS COUNT Special

Report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

Baltimore,MD:AnnieE.CaseyFoundation.

4. Ibid.

5. U.S.DepartmentofEducation.(2012).

ProvisionalDataFile:SY2010-11Four-Year

RegulatoryAdjustedCohortGraduationRates,

retrievedfrom:http://www2.ed.gov/

documents/press-releases/

state-2010-11-graduation-rate-data.pdf

6. U.S.Census,CurrentPopulationSurvey.

(2010).TableH105,retrievedfrom:

http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/

cpstables/032011/health/toc.htm

7. U.S.Census,CurrentPopulationSurvey;2011

AnnualSocialandEconomicSupplement.

(2010).TableHI10,retrievedfrom:

http://www.census.gov/hhes/www/

cpstables/032011/health/toc.htm

Documents

NM Voices for Children 2012 Children’s Charter · robert mcneill, J.d., treasurer at Law memBers gail goldstein, m.ed. Early Childhood Consultant fred Harris Director, University